Psyllium supplementation in adolescents improves fat distribution & lipid profile: a randomized, participant-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of psyllium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome parameters in at-risk adolescent males.
Results Summary
Psyllium supplementation (6 g/day for 6 weeks) led to a 4% reduction in android-to-gynoid fat ratio and a 6% reduction in LDL cholesterol, with no reported adverse events.
Population
45 healthy adolescent males aged 15-16 years from lower socio-economic areas with high obesity rates.
Effective Dosage
6 g/day
Duration
6 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psyllium supplementation | decrease | android fat to gynoid fat ratio | at risk adolescent population | 4% | led to a 4% reduction | #1 |
psyllium supplementation | decrease | LDL cholesterol | at risk adolescent population | 0.12 mmol/l (6%) | led to a 0.12 mmol/l (6%) reduction | #2 |
Dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of psyllium over 6 weeks | increase | fat distribution | at risk population of adolescent males | - | improves | #3 |
Dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of psyllium over 6 weeks | increase | lipid profile (parameters of the metabolic syndrome) | at risk population of adolescent males | - | improves | #4 |
AIMS: We aimed to assess the effects of psyllium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and other parameters of the metabolic syndrome in an at risk adolescent population. METHODS: This study encompassed a participant-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Subjects were 47 healthy adolescent males aged 15-16 years, recruited from secondary schools in lower socio-economic areas with high rates of obesity. Participants received 6 g/day of psyllium or placebo for 6 weeks, with a two-week washout before crossing over. Fasting lipid profiles, ambulatory blood pressure, auxological data, body composition, activity levels, and three-day food records were collected at baseline and after each 6-week intervention. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the Matsuda method using glucose and insulin values from an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: 45 subjects completed the study, and compliance was very high: 87% of participants took >80% of prescribed capsules. At baseline, 44% of subjects were overweight or obese. 28% had decreased insulin sensitivity, but none had impaired glucose tolerance. Fibre supplementation led to a 4% reduction in android fat to gynoid fat ratio (p = 0.019), as well as a 0.12 mmol/l (6%) reduction in LDL cholesterol (p = 0.042). No associated adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of psyllium over 6 weeks improves fat distribution and lipid profile (parameters of the metabolic syndrome) in an at risk population of adolescent males. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000888268.