†Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One serving of Metamucil has 2.4 grams of this soluble fiber. One serving of Metamucil capsules has at least 1.8 grams of this soluble fiber.

§Applies only to powdered formulations of Metamucil. Does not apply to Metamucil capsules.

††Scores averaged across all post-prandial measurement times and days were lower significantly or directionally (p ≤ 0.025 and p ≤ 0.052, respectively) for all psyllium doses vs. placebo.

1.A randomized, controlled, parallel 6 month trial with metabolic syndrome patients. Patients were randomized to three treatment groups: American Heart Association Step 2 Diet n=45, American Heart Association Step 2 Diet + Psyllium 3.5g BID n=46, American Heart Association Step 2 Diet + Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum 3.5 g BID n=46.

2. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, multicenter study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of Metamucil (5.1 grams twice daily, n= 197) and cellulose placebo (5.1 grams twice daily n= 51), as an adjunct to diet in the treatment of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Eligible patients completed an 8-week dietary adaptation phase with dietician counselling on AHA step 1 diet (weeks -8 to -1) followed by a 26-week treatment phase (weeks 0–26) and continued AHA step 1 diet with counselling.

3. A meta-analysis of 8 pivotal efficacy trials was conducted to evaluate the hypercholesterolemic effects of Metamucil (10.2 grams daily, n=384) and placebo (10.2 grams daily n=272) adjunctive to a low-fat diet for ≥ 8 weeks in individuals with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia after a low-fat diet lead-in phase lasting ≥ 8 weeks.

4. Study 1: A single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-way cross-over study enrolled 30 healthy patients (19 men/11 women), 28 patients completed the study. Patients were randomized to 4 different groups: placebo and 3 different doses of psyllium fiber (3.4 g, 6.8 g, and 10.2 g) were taken before a controlled, regular breakfast and lunch. Patients spent 3 consecutive days in each group with a 4- to 5-day washout period between treatments. All patients received a single daily dose on their first day. The doses of 3.4 g and 6.8 g were given twice a day on the second and the third day. The dose of 10.2 g was given only once a day. All patients started the study receiving only 1 dose of psyllium fiber on the first day before breakfast to assess the potential impact of 3 single different doses on satiety responses. Three Satiety endpoints were self-assessed every half hour for a total of 19 per day: hunger and desire to eat on independent Visual Analog Scales (VAS) and hunger/fullness on the Satiety Labeled Intensity Magnitude (SLIM) scale.

4. Study 1: A single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-way cross-over study enrolled 30 healthy patients (19 men/11 women), 28 patients completed the study. Patients were randomized to 4 different groups: placebo and 3 different doses of psyllium fiber (3.4 g, 6.8 g, and 10.2 g) were taken before a controlled, regular breakfast and lunch. Patients spent 3 consecutive days in each group with a 4- to 5-day washout period between treatments. All patients received a single daily dose on their first day. The doses of 3.4 g and 6.8 g were given twice a day on the second and the third day. The dose of 10.2 g was given only once a day. All patients started the study receiving only 1 dose of psyllium fiber on the first day before breakfast to assess the potential impact of 3 single different doses on satiety responses. Three Satiety endpoints were self-assessed every half hour for a total of 19 per day: hunger and desire to eat on independent Visual Analog Scales (VAS) and hunger/fullness on the Satiety Labeled Intensity Magnitude (SLIM) scale.

**As part of a diet

††Scores averaged across all post-prandial measurement times and days were lower significantly or directionally (p ≤ 0.025 and p ≤ 0.052, respectively) for all psyllium doses vs. placebo.

References:

1. Cicero AFG et al. Psyllium improves dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension, while guar gum reduces body weight more rapidly in patients affected by metabolic syndrome following an AHA Step 2 diet. Meiterr J Nutr Metab. 2010;3:47–57.

2. Anderson JW et al. Long-term cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium as an adjunct to diet therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71(6):1433-8.

3. Anderson JW et al. Cholesterol lowering effects of psyllium intake adjunctive to diet therapy in men and women with hypercholesterolemia: meta-analysis of 8 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71(2):472-9.

4. Brum JM et al. Satiety effects of psyllium in healthy volunteers. Appetite 2016;(105):27–36.