Some More Talk About Statins

Psyllium husk, a soluble fiber, may prove beneficial for those experiencing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Soluble fiber is broken down by intestinal bacteria to create short-chain fatty acids, which decrease the production of cholesterol in the liver.

Due to the overwhelming clinical evidence on the beneficial effects of soluble fiber on hypercholesterolemia, the FDA allows psyllium to be labeled with the claim of reducing the risk of heart disease. After only three weeks of psyllium supplementation, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased by 5.2% and 6.9%, respectively (Uehleke, Ortiz & Stange, 2008). Another study showed that psyllium decreased total cholesterol by .375 mmol/l and LDL cholesterol by .278 mmol/l. Combined with a low dose statin drug, psyllium supplementation decreased total cholesterol 66 mg/dL, while the high dose statin alone decreased total cholesterol 61 mg/dL over the twelve week study. Futhermore, combination therapy decreased apolipoprotein B, considered to be a better indicator of heart disease than LDL levels, more than the statin alone.

Statins are a group of pharmaceutical drugs that are prescribed for people with high cholesterol. You may see commercials for Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor. Side effects of statin use include:

• Muscle pain
• Digestive Issues
• Brain Fog
• Liver Damage
• Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

In addition to dietary modification and other therapies, psyllium may lower both total and LDL cholesterol. Instead of doubling the dose of statin drugs and worsening its adverse effects, adding psyllium to a small dose of a statin drug may be just as effective in lowering cholesterol. Side effects of psyllium include intestinal distress in the form on bloating, gas, or cramping. They are typically mild, short-lived, and may provide a safe alternative to the serious side effects caused by statin drugs.

Fda.gov,. (2016). Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide (11. Appendix C: Health Claims). Retrieved 24 February 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm064919.htm

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy (2nd ed., p. 230). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Moreyra, A. (2005). Effect of Combining Psyllium Fiber With Simvastatin in Lowering Cholesterol. Arch Intern Med, 165(10), 1161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.165.10.1161

Uehleke, B., Ortiz, M., & Stange, R. (2008). Cholesterol reduction using psyllium husks – Do gastrointestinal adverse effects limit compliance? Results of a specific observational study. Z Phytother, 29(S 1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1047842

Wei, Z., Wang, H., Chen, X., Wang, B., Rong, Z., & Wang, B. et al. (2008). Time- and dose-dependent effect of psyllium on serum lipids in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 63(7), 821-827. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2008.49