Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND
Water-soluble dietary fibers decrease postprandial glucose concentrations and decrease serum cholesterol concentrations. This study examined the effects of administering psyllium to men with type 2 diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of psyllium husk fiber used adjunctively to a traditional diet for diabetes in the treatment of men with type 2 diabetes and mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
After a 2-wk dietary stabilization phase, 34 men with type 2 diabetes and mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to receive 5.1 g psyllium or cellulose placebo twice daily for 8 wk. Serum lipid and glycemic indexes were evaluated biweekly on an outpatient basis and at weeks 0 and 8 in a metabolic ward.


RESULTS
In the metabolic ward, the psyllium group showed significant improvements in glucose and lipid values compared with the placebo group. Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 8.9% (P < 0.05) and 13.0% (P = 0.07) lower, respectively, in the psyllium than in the placebo group. All-day and postlunch postprandial glucose concentrations were 11.0% (P < 0.05) and 19.2% (P < 0.01) lower in the psyllium than in the placebo group. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to treatment reported in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of psyllium to a traditional diet for persons with diabetes is safe, is well tolerated, and improves glycemic and lipid control in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.
Anderson
J W
JW
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the University of Kentucky, Lexington 40511, USA. Jwandersmd@aol.com
Allgood
L D
LD
Turner
J
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Oeltgen
P R
PR
Daggy
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011620:Psyllium / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D011620:Psyllium; D002784:Cholesterol