A psyllium-enriched cereal for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in children: a controlled, double-blind, crossover study.
Psyllium, a water-soluble fiber, has been shown to lower total serum and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations in adult hypercholesterolemic subjects and may be effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in children. The effects of a psyllium-enriched cereal were compared with a matched control cereal in a double-blind, crossover fashion in 25 children, 6-18 y old, with hypercholesterolemia. After an 8-wk diet-stabilization period, the subjects were randomly assigned to receive the active or control cereals for 6 wk, followed by a 6-wk washout period and a 6-wk crossover treatment period. Whereas no changes were noted in total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations during consumption of the control cereal, significant changes were seen during the psyllium-cereal periods [0.31 mmol/L (12.1 mg/dL) and 0.28 mmol/L (10.9 mg/dL); P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively]. The psyllium-enriched cereal was well tolerated throughout the trial. Consumption of the psyllium-enriched cereal resulted in a modest 7% reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentrations compared with the control cereal when used in this pediatric hypercholesterolemic sample. Psyllium offers a potential adjunct to a low-fat diet for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the pediatric population because of its ease of incorporation into various foods.
Davidson
M H
MH
Chicago Center for Clinical Research, Illinois 60607, USA.
Dugan
L D
LD
Burns
J H
JH
Sugimoto
D
D
Story
K
K
Drennan
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D011620:Psyllium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002400:Cathartics; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011620:Psyllium; D002784:Cholesterol