These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Cholesterol
Question: Has any bulk/fiber laxative other than psyllium been approved for lipid lowering? What is the mechanism of action and minimum effective dose?
Answer: Any fiber agent will lower cholesterol. This appears to be by the mechanism of slowing absorbtion of fat and making it less accesible to the intestinal wall. These agents have not been technically “approved” by the FDA, but numerous studies have documented the effect. In general, this effect is insufficient to lower high or moderately high cholesterol levels to satisfactory levels. Fiber also has the effect of lowering glucose levels in diabetics by slowing absorbtion.
