Two new articles on the supplementation of psyllium husk to treat cholesterol.
Psyllium, which is a type of soluble fiber, can reduce cholesterol levels in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol levels) in a manner that is dependent on the dosage and duration of use.
Psyllium husk supplementation (15g/day) reduced LDL cholesterol to the degree that was superior to doubling a dose of simvastatin from 10 mg to 20 mg.
Kevin Bass did a tweet thread that provides more background:
This Nature article provides us with a meta-analysis of the effects of psyllium on lipid levels:
Psyllium Husk is a must if you are to enrich your gut microbiome also. It is very good to know also how it helps your cholesterol levels and blood sugar! I use it in making flax bread and pancakes and sometimes put it in a protein shake! I take it every day! Thank you for this important-to-know study!
We haven’t turned the use of psyllium husk into a specific Healthspan protocol. Let me share my routine to give you an idea of how to implement it in your life. I take 10 grams daily of psyllium husk. I take it in the morning with a single glass of water.
I notice that it staves off hunger until later in the day, so I don’t overeat. You can get it at any health food store or on Amazon. I use this brand (there’s nothing particularly special about this particular brand):
My goal is to get 30-40 grams of fiber a day. Based on many observational studies, fiber is correlated with better longevity outcomes. I primarily take it for the cholesterol-lowering effects and microbiome improvements. A secondary benefit is its satiety-producing effects
Let me know if that is helpful or if you have any other questions you would like me to dive into.
Thank you for the follow-up. My longevity/healthspan health adviser recommended 10-20 grams a day to augment my statin. I will additionally be taking Arcarbose.
