Study finds that Soluble Fiber Enhances LDL Lowering Action of Statins.

A study conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (165:1161-6, 2005) found that adding soluble fiber to a statin regimen lowered the amount of the statin drug required to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. This placebo-controlled study evaluated 68 subjects who were randomized into three groups receiving either 10 mg per day of the statin drug, simvastatin, with 15 grams per day of a commercial psyllium product, 10 mg per day simvastatin plus placebo, or 20 mg per day simvastatin plus placebo. Subject’s levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B were checked at four-week intervals during the study. After eight weeks, the mean LDL in the 10 mg simvastatin / placebo group fell by 55 mg/dL from baseline, while the 10 mg simvastatin / psyllium group showed a 63 mg/dL reduction. The mean reduction of LDL in the 20 mg of simvastatin / placebo group was the same as that of the 10 mg simvastatin / psyllium group. Similar results were seen for apolipoprotein B and total cholesterol. No significant variations in triglyceride or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were noted. Dietary psyllium supplementation in subjects taking 10 mg of the statin drug simvastatin was found to be as effective in lowering cholesterol as 20 mg of simvastatin alone. Researchers concluded that psyllium soluble fiber should be considered a safe and well-tolerated dietary supplement to enhance an LDL and apolipoprotein B reduction program. Bio-Design Maxi-Fiber is a combination of two types soluble dietary fiber, psyllium seed husks and rice bran.