Therapeutic effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition 2002-09, Vol.56 (9), p.830-842
• Main Authors: SIERRA, M, GARCIA, J. J, FERNANDEZ, N, DIEZ, M. J, CALLE, A. P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Blood glucose; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Body mass index; Body size; C-Peptide - blood; C-Peptide - drug effects; C-Peptide - urine; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Care and treatment; Cholesterol; Cholesterol - blood; Clinical nutrition; Coronary artery disease; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diabetics; Dietary fiber; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Evaluation; Excretion; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fructosamine - blood; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose; Glycated Hemoglobin A - drug effects; Glycosuria - urine; Health aspects; Health services; Heart diseases; Humans; Ingestion; Insulin; Insulin - blood; Low density lipoprotein; Male; Management. Various non-drug treatments. Langerhans islet grafts; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Minerals; Minerals - blood; Nutrition; Patients; Peptides; Pharmacology; Psyllium; Psyllium - therapeutic use; Sodium; Time Factors; Toxicology; Type 2 diabetes; Uric acid; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin A; Vitamins; Vitamins - blood
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601398

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients. The study included three phases: phase 1 (1 week), phase 2 (treatment, 14 g fibre/day, 6 weeks) and phase 3 (4 weeks). At the end of each phase a clinical evaluation was performed after the ingestion of a test breakfast of 1824.2 kJ (436 kcal). Measurements included concentrations of blood glucose, insulin, fructosamine, GHbA(1c), C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion. In addition, uric acid, cholesterol and several mineral and vitamin concentrations were also evaluated. The study was performed at the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Nursing at the University of León (Spain). Twenty type 2 diabetic patients (12 men and 8 women) participated in the study with a mean age of 67.4 y for men and 66 y for women. The mean body mass index of men was 28.2 kg/m(2) and that of women 25.9 kg/m(2). Glucose absorption decreased significantly in the presence of psyllium (12.2%); this reduction is not associated with an important change in insulin levels (5%). GHbA(1c), C-peptide and 24 h urinary glucose excretion decreased (3.8, 14.9 and 22.5%, respectively) during the treatment with fibre (no significant differences) as well as fructosamine (10.9%, significant differences). Psyllium also reduced total and LDL cholesterol (7.7 and 9.2%, respectively, significant differences), and uric acid (10%, significant difference). Minerals and vitamins did not show important changes, except sodium that increased significantly after psyllium administration. The results obtained indicate a beneficial therapeutic effect of psyllium (Plantaben) in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics as well as in lowering the risk of coronary heart disease. We also conclude that consumption of this fibre does not adversely affect either mineral or vitamin A and E concentrations. Finally, for a greater effectiveness, psyllium treatment should be individually evaluated.