Comparison of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and cellulose as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
The effects of the administration of 5.1 g of psyllium or placebo (cellulose) twice daily for 16 weeks were compared as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the management of moderate hypercholesterolemia in a parallel, double-blind study. Psyllium decreased the total cholesterol level by 5.6% and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level by 8.6%, whereas the levels were unchanged in the placebo group. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased during the diet stabilization period in both groups and returned to near-baseline values by week 16. Plasma triglyceride levels did not change substantially in either group. Subject compliance to treatment was greater than 95%. These data suggest that psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid in a twice-daily regimen may be a useful and safe adjunct to a prudent diet in the treatment of moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Levin
E G
EG
Lipid Research Clinic, George Washington Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
Miller
V T
VT
Muesing
R A
RA
Stoy
D B
DB
Balm
T K
TK
LaRosa
J C
JC
D002482:Cellulose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011620:Psyllium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D011620:Psyllium; D002482:Cellulose; D002784:Cholesterol