From the Guidelines
Metamucil (psyllium husk) can help lower cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol, by approximately 2.2 mg/dL for every gram increase in soluble fiber intake, as supported by a meta-analysis cited in the American Heart Association's dietary guidelines 1. To achieve this benefit, the recommended dosage is typically 7 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium daily.
- This equates to about 2-3 teaspoons of Metamucil powder taken 1-3 times per day with at least 8 ounces of water.
- For best results, take it before meals and continue use for at least 8 weeks to see cholesterol-lowering effects. Psyllium works by forming a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that binds to cholesterol and bile acids, preventing their reabsorption and facilitating their excretion from the body.
- This process can lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, particularly in hypercholesterolemic individuals, as noted in the study 1. It's essential to start with a lower dose and gradually increase to avoid digestive discomfort, and always take Metamucil with plenty of water to prevent choking or intestinal blockage. While effective as a supplement to a heart-healthy diet, psyllium should not replace cholesterol-lowering medications if prescribed by your doctor, but rather complement them as part of an overall cholesterol management plan.
From the FDA Drug Label
PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL MetaMUCIL PSYLLIUM FIBER SUPPLEMENT THERAPY FOR REGULARITY on-the-go! ... 4-in-1 FIBER HELPS SUPPORT: ... Heart Health by Lowering Cholesterol† *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Key Points:
- The label states that the product helps support Heart Health by Lowering Cholesterol.
- However, it also mentions that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA drug label does suggest that Metamucil (psyllium husk) may help lower cholesterol levels, but this claim has not been evaluated by the FDA 2.
From the Research
Metamucil and Cholesterol
- Metamucil, also known as psyllium husk, has been shown to have a mild to modest cholesterol-lowering effect 3.
- Studies have demonstrated that psyllium can lower total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients 3, 4.
- The mechanism for the cholesterol-lowering effect of psyllium is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the binding of bile acids in the intestinal lumen 5.
Effectiveness of Psyllium in Lowering Cholesterol
- A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that psyllium husk fiber as an adjunct to diet therapy can produce significant net reductions in serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia 4.
- Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that combining psyllium fiber with simvastatin can lower LDL-cholesterol levels more effectively than simvastatin alone 6.
- A meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that the concomitant use of psyllium with statins can cause further overall cholesterol lowering in subjects already receiving statins 7.
Timing and Dosage of Psyllium
- A study published in the Nutrition Journal found that the timing of psyllium administration had no effect on cholesterol-lowering, and in fact, no cholesterol-lowering was observed in the study population 5.
- The effective dosage of psyllium for cholesterol-lowering has been found to be around 5-15 grams per day, taken in divided doses 4, 6.