Effect of Psyllium Fiber Supplementation on C-Reactive Protein: The Trial to Reduce Inflammatory Markers (TRIM)

The Annals of Family Medicine
Q1
Mar 2008
Citations:59
Influential Citations:2
Interventional (Human) Studies
90
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Enhanced Details

Methods
Prospective randomized controlled trial at a single university medical center; overweight or obese adults with no history of heart disease; ages 40–65; three-arm design (low-dose psyllium, high-dose psyllium, control).
Intervention
Psyllium fiber supplementation for 3 months. Low-dose group: 7 g/day (2 packets of 3.5 g) taken between meals; 1 packet daily in no-pulp orange juice and 1 packet in water. High-dose group: 14 g/day (4 packets of 3.5 g) taken between meals; 1 packet daily in no-pulp orange juice and 3 packets in water.
Results
Psyllium supplementation did not significantly reduce hsCRP or other inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6, WBC) over 3 months compared with control in the intention-to-treat analysis. Among protocol completers, a small reduction in fibrinogen was observed with high-dose psyllium compared with control, and remained significant after BMI adjustment, but no consistent changes in CRP, IL-6, or WBC. Conclusion: psyllium fiber supplementation does not meaningfully reduce inflammatory markers in overweight/obese adults; other fibers or nutrient strategies may be needed to impact inflammation.
Limitations
Not blinded to participants; only psyllium tested; relatively short duration (3 months); potential underpower; single-center; some participants started medications affecting inflammatory markers; limited generalizability.

Abstract

PURPOSE Recent evidence supports a significant association between the intake of dietary fiber and levels of inflammatory markers. The objective of this study was to determine whether daily fiber supplementation would reduce levels of inflammatory ma...