Psyllium is a natural nonfermented gel-forming fiber that is effective for weight loss: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis.
Roger D Gibb, Kyle J Sloan, Johnson W McRorie
PMID 37163454WHAT IT FOUND
Psyllium taken before meals for 2 to 12 months reduced body weight by an average of 2.1 kg compared with control.
The effect was consistent across six randomized trials in overweight and obese adults.
Key findings
01Psyllium supplementation resulted in a mean reduction of 2.1 kg in body weight compared to negative controls.
02Waist circumference decreased by a mean of 2.2 cm in the psyllium groups.
03The studies included overweight and obese adults taking 7 to 15 g/day of psyllium for 2 to 12 months.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only six studies were included, limiting the robustness of the pooled estimate. Four of the six studies lasted only 2 to 3 months, so long-term efficacy and safety are not well established. Risk of bias was unclear for allocation concealment and selective outcome reporting in all studies. The authors are employees of Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Metamucil, which may introduce bias in study selection or interpretation.
Declared interests
The authors are employees of Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Metamucil, a psyllium-containing product.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 2.1 kg weight loss as a substitute for lifestyle changes. The effect size is modest, and the study duration was short, so this does not prove long-term maintenance of weight loss.