The American Society for Nutrition has published in its journal a study which explains the mechanims by which a combination of psyllium fiber and plant sterols help further lower LDL cholesterol.
Let us first define what psyllium and plant sterols are.
Psyllium :
What is available on the market is derived from psyllium husk. It is offered as a natural
soluble fiber product in the form of a powder. The Metamucil brand is the one best known to the public
The people at Metamucil are quick to point out its LDL cholesterol lowering potential.
The way in which it works is by entrapment of biliary salts. The ldl colesterol they contain, if trapped in the soluble fiber, cannot be reabsorbed by the intestine. Instead it is evacuated through the feces and thus eliminated.
CAUTION: One cannot take large quantities of psyllium, it should be used only as directed
and some people should not be using it. It should not be taken at the same time as
medication. Talk to your doctor if you think you want to use psyllium.
Let us first define what psyllium and plant sterols are.
Psyllium :
What is available on the market is derived from psyllium husk. It is offered as a natural
soluble fiber product in the form of a powder. The Metamucil brand is the one best known to the public
The people at Metamucil are quick to point out its LDL cholesterol lowering potential.
The way in which it works is by entrapment of biliary salts. The ldl colesterol they contain, if trapped in the soluble fiber, cannot be reabsorbed by the intestine. Instead it is evacuated through the feces and thus eliminated.
CAUTION: One cannot take large quantities of psyllium, it should be used only as directed
and some people should not be using it. It should not be taken at the same time as
medication. Talk to your doctor if you think you want to use psyllium.
Improving Cholesterol profile with Psyllium and Phytosterols
Reference
See also : The American Society for Nutrition/ The Journal of Nutrition 136:2492-2497, October 2006
Remember:
- Psyllium should be used in moderation
- Ask your doctor first, if you want to use it
Some large drugstore chains also have their own brand names
Phytosterols or Plant Sterols
Some steroid types of molecules are required by the body to make things like cell membranes. In the animal kingdom, one of these molecules is cholesterol. Plants also need to build cell membranes. They use molecules known as phytosterols (plant sterols). These molecules are not identical to cholesterol but resemble it very closely. So much so that when you ingest veggies containing phytosterols, your intestine will want to absorb it in the same way it would absorb cholesterol. The absorbtion of phytosterols is not a very efficient process and no more than five percent is finally absorbed. While the absorbtion site is occupied by a plant sterol, the "bad" LDL-Cholesterol has to "take a number" and wait in line to be absorbed. Because of this competition with the other sterol, less LDL-C is absorbed in the end.
Vegetables and fruits do not carry a large enough quantity of phytosterols to cause enough of an effect. In the first study that demonstrated this action, phytosterol capsules were used. They were Vegapure 650mg three times a day.
The rationale used in these studies seems to have been the following: While the big-bad LDL has to "stand in line and wait" to be absorbed, it has plenty of time to run into some soluble fiber. It would then be entrapped and carried away to be eliminated through excretion.
In the study cited by the American Society for Nutrition, Total cholesterol went from 5.65 mmol/L to 5.28 mmol/L. This reduction was primarily in LDL-C, which went from 3.48 to 3.14 mmol/L. This is almost a 10% decrease in LDL-C. Of course when added to the use of statin drugs and other measures such as smoking cessation, this combination therapy can greatly help in stopping the progression of atherosclerosis.
If you think this combination therapy may be a good for you, make sure you do this under professional supervision.
Some steroid types of molecules are required by the body to make things like cell membranes. In the animal kingdom, one of these molecules is cholesterol. Plants also need to build cell membranes. They use molecules known as phytosterols (plant sterols). These molecules are not identical to cholesterol but resemble it very closely. So much so that when you ingest veggies containing phytosterols, your intestine will want to absorb it in the same way it would absorb cholesterol. The absorbtion of phytosterols is not a very efficient process and no more than five percent is finally absorbed. While the absorbtion site is occupied by a plant sterol, the "bad" LDL-Cholesterol has to "take a number" and wait in line to be absorbed. Because of this competition with the other sterol, less LDL-C is absorbed in the end.
Vegetables and fruits do not carry a large enough quantity of phytosterols to cause enough of an effect. In the first study that demonstrated this action, phytosterol capsules were used. They were Vegapure 650mg three times a day.
The rationale used in these studies seems to have been the following: While the big-bad LDL has to "stand in line and wait" to be absorbed, it has plenty of time to run into some soluble fiber. It would then be entrapped and carried away to be eliminated through excretion.
In the study cited by the American Society for Nutrition, Total cholesterol went from 5.65 mmol/L to 5.28 mmol/L. This reduction was primarily in LDL-C, which went from 3.48 to 3.14 mmol/L. This is almost a 10% decrease in LDL-C. Of course when added to the use of statin drugs and other measures such as smoking cessation, this combination therapy can greatly help in stopping the progression of atherosclerosis.
If you think this combination therapy may be a good for you, make sure you do this under professional supervision.
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