Do fiber and psyllium fiber improve diabetic metabolism?
Increasing numbers of elderly individuals with diabetes look for natural means to manage their disease to reduce diabetes-related complications. The American Diabetes Association recommends a goal of 25 g to 35 g dietary fiber daily for a healthy diet. This review focuses on recent research that explores the utility of fiber and psyllium fiber in improving glucose control in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Fiber studies show decreased glucose concentrations and decreasing all-cause mortality. Small studies looking at psyllium fiber, in particular, have shown it to be associated with lower mean daily glucose concentrations, lower postmeal glucose concentrations, fewer hypoglycemic events, lower A1C levels, and lower insulin concentrations in people with DM. Results, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the studies, are presented. Considering the available research, we recommend elderly patients who are not able to meet their fiber goals by dietary intake consider psyllium supplementation.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. micki-hall@ouhsc.edu
Micki
M
Hall
Tanis
T
Flinkman
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D011620:Psyllium