Interesting Read on Psyllium!

~J~ · 01-17-2004, 11:16 PM

I got this article from www.drmirkin.com! I believe that what he states to be true, and I take one teaspoon of psyllium once daily! I also take metformin, but do not have diabetes. It also helps a great deal, if you are low carbing, and have problems with constipation! I use the wal-mart generic version of metamucill, the orange flavor!

PSYLLIUM HELPS TO CONTROL ADULT-ONSET DIABETES

Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

A study from the University of Kentucky shows that psyllium extract helps to control type II diabetes.

The single most important goal in treating diabetes is to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high after meals because high blood sugar levels after meals causes sugar in the bloodstream to stick to cells where it is converted to a poison called sorbitol that causes heart attacks, strokes, blindness, deafness, amputations and kidney damage.

An extract of the dried seeds of the plant Plantago psyllium contains large amounts of soluble fiber that helps block a rise in blood sugar after meals. It also helps lower cholesterol, but some diabetics cannot take it because it is such as a potent laxative. Most drugs that doctors prescribe for diabetics raise insulin levels that increase risk for heart attacks, strokes and obesity. Psyllium is much safer because it does not raise insulin levels. Drugs that do not raise insulin levels include Glucophage, Avandia and Actose, but they are far more expensive than psyllium. More doctors should prescribe psyllium for their diabetic patients to take with meals.

Ajani · 01-18-2004, 01:16 PM

I just Googled, and found this article It seems to back up the claim, at least in a small clinical trial.

Quote:

BACKGROUND: Water-soluble dietary fibers decrease postprandial glucose concentrations and decrease serum cholesterol concentrations. This study examined the effects of administering psyllium to men with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of psyllium husk fiber used adjunctively to a traditional diet for diabetes in the treatment of men with type 2 diabetes and mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.

DESIGN: After a 2-wk dietary stabilization phase, 34 men with type 2 diabetes and mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to receive 5.1 g psyllium or cellulose placebo twice daily for 8 wk. Serum lipid and glycemic indexes were evaluated biweekly on an outpatient basis and at weeks 0 and 8 in a metabolic ward.

RESULTS: In the metabolic ward, the psyllium group showed significant improvements in glucose and lipid values compared with the placebo group. Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 8.9% (P < 0.05) and 13.0% (P = 0.07) lower, respectively, in the psyllium than in the placebo group. All-day and postlunch postprandial glucose concentrations were 11.0% (P < 0.05) and 19.2% (P < 0.01) lower in the psyllium than in the placebo group. Both products were well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to treatment reported in either group. CONCLUSION: The addition of psyllium to a traditional diet for persons with diabetes is safe, is well tolerated, and improves glycemic and lipid control in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

nobimbo · 01-18-2004, 04:31 PM

I just want to point out that it is not advised to take psyllium along with Met as it can interefere with it. I have read they should be taken at least 4 hours apart. There is info in one of the stickies on the Met forum about this, and you can find it mentioned lots of times if you do a "Metamucil and Metformin" google search.

Linda

Ajani · 01-19-2004, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the information. We always need to be mindful of the interactions between herbal remedies, or even food, and our medications.