Psyllium husk: a fiber supplement with real cholesterol numbers

Psyllium husk is a powdered fiber supplement, and its best evidence is on cholesterol. In a meta-analysis of 28 randomized trials in 1,924 people, a median of about 10 g a day for 3 weeks or more lowered LDL cholesterol by 13 mg/dL (95% CI 10 to 15; metric: 0.33 mmol/L, 0.27 to 0.38), rated moderate certainty because the trials disagreed in size. For chronic constipation, 16 trials in 1,251 adults found 66 percent responded to fiber against 41 percent on control. Psyllium was among the fibers that worked, and the response showed only at doses above 10 g a day. In people with type 2 diabetes, psyllium taken before meals cut fasting glucose by 37 mg/dL and HbA1c by 0.97 points across 35 trials, in an analysis that includes unpublished manufacturer records. Those people were already treated for diabetes, so anyone on glucose-lowering medicine should talk to whoever manages it before adding psyllium. It did not lower glucose in people with normal blood sugar. Across 22 trials body weight changed by -0.62 lb (-0.28 kg), which did not reach significance, so the trials give no support to psyllium for weight loss.

How much is actually in it

• For a US heart-health label, psyllium husk must be at least 95% pure, with no more than 3% protein and no more than 4.9% extraneous matter. — US food labeling, psyllium husk used under the soluble fiber and coronary heart disease health claim Evidence E source
  Purity 95% or more; protein 3% or less; light extraneous matter 4.5% or less; heavy 0.5% or less
• On a US Nutrition Facts label, psyllium husk is one of the few isolated fibers FDA lets manufacturers count as dietary fiber, alongside beta-glucan, pectin and guar gum. — US nutrition labeling, 21 CFR 101.9(i) Evidence E source
  Psyllium husk included in the dietary fiber total on the label

What a real portion looks like

• The FDA heart-health claim for psyllium is built on 7 g or more of soluble fiber from psyllium husk a day, with at least 1.7 g per serving of the food carrying the claim. — US food labeling under 21 CFR 101.81 Evidence E source
  7 g/day soluble fiber from psyllium husk; 1.7 g per reference amount customarily consumed

What your body absorbs

• In a crossover RCT in 15 postmenopausal women, 3.4 g of psyllium with the meal barely changed calcium absorption, 31.7% against 34.1% without fiber. — 15 healthy postmenopausal women, 219 mg calcium from fortified orange juice (n = 15) Evidence B source
  Fractional calcium absorption 0.317 with psyllium vs 0.341 without fiber, not significant
• In 18 Parkinson patients, Plantago ovata husk did not lower levodopa exposure (AUC 64.5 against 65.1 on placebo) and smoothed its blood peaks. — 18 Parkinson patients on their usual levodopa/carbidopa dose, husk or placebo (n = 18) Evidence B source
  Levodopa AUC 64.47 vs 65.10 ug.min/ml; Cmax 547.8 vs 612.0 ng/ml

What cooking and storage change

• Mixed into pasta at the 1.7 g label dose, psyllium had no measurable effect on glucose, insulin or gastric emptying in a crossover RCT in 10 people. — 10 subjects, pasta meals with 50 g available carbohydrate with or without 1.7 g psyllium (n = 10) Evidence B source
  No significant effect on gastric emptying or IAUC for GLP-1, insulin or glucose

What it does to your health

• A 2020 dose-response meta-analysis of 22 RCTs in adults found psyllium did not significantly lower body weight, BMI or waist size. — adults in randomized trials of psyllium supplementation, any health status (n = 22 trials) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD -0.62 lb (95% CI -1.7 to 0.46; metric: -0.28 kg, -0.78 to 0.21); BMI MD -0.19 kg/m2 (-0.55 to 0.15); waist MD -0.47 in (-1 to 0.08; metric: -1.2 cm, -2.6 to 0.2)
• In a 12-week trial in overweight and obese adults, adding a psyllium supplement to a normal diet lowered weight, BMI and body fat against control. — overweight/obese adults randomized to placebo, psyllium supplement, healthy diet, or healthy diet plus psyllium Evidence B source
  Weight, BMI and % body fat significantly reduced in psyllium and diet-plus-psyllium groups at 12 weeks; fiber intake 55 to 59 g vs 20 g in control
• A meta-analysis of 28 RCTs in 1,924 people found about 10 g of psyllium a day lowered LDL cholesterol by 13 mg/dL (0.33 mmol/L), with or without high cholesterol at the start. — 28 randomized controlled trials, n = 1924, duration 3 weeks or more (n = 1924) Evidence A source
  LDL-C -13 mg/dL (95% CI -15 to -10; metric: -0.33 mmol/L, -0.38 to -0.27); non-HDL-C -15 mg/dL (-0.39 mmol/L); apoB -0.05 g/L
• In a meta-analysis of 16 RCTs in 1,251 adults with chronic constipation, 66% responded to fiber against 41% on control, with psyllium among the fibers that worked and doses above 10 g a day needed. — 16 RCTs, 1251 adults with chronic constipation (n = 1251) Evidence A source
  Response RR 1.48 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.88); stool frequency SMD 0.72; flatulence higher (SMD 0.80)

Safety, limits and interactions

• In two double-blind crossover trials, 6.8 g of psyllium before meals gave more fullness and less hunger between meals than placebo over 3 days, with mild GI side effects similar to placebo. — healthy volunteers, psyllium (Metamucil) 3.4, 6.8 or 10.2 g before breakfast and lunch Evidence B source
  6.8 g dose: consistent satiety benefit vs placebo (p <= 0.013); study 2: 3-day hunger and desire to eat lower (p <= 0.004)
• In a 180-day double-blind trial in 112 obese adults, a glucomannan, inulin and psyllium blend cut weight by 4.9% more than placebo, but 74.6% had GI side effects. — adults with obesity carrying at least one minor allele in FTO, LEP, LEPR or MC4R (n = 112) Evidence B source
  Body weight treatment difference -4.9% (95% CI -6.9% to -2.9%); BMI -1.4 kg/m2 (-1.7 to -1.2); GI events 74.6% vs none on placebo
• US rules require dry psyllium products to warn that taken without enough fluid they can swell and block the throat or esophagus. — US OTC drug products with water-soluble or hydrophilic gums and mucilloids, including psyllium, in dry form Evidence E source
  Mandatory choking warning; not for people with difficulty swallowing
• In 3 RCTs pooled by meta-analysis, adding psyllium to a statin lowered LDL cholesterol about as much as doubling the statin dose. — 3 randomized controlled studies of statin plus psyllium vs statin alone, 4 to 12 weeks (n = 3 trials) Evidence A source
  LDL reduction with psyllium plus statin equivalent to doubling the statin dose (p = 0.001)
• US rules require psyllium products to warn that taken without enough fluid they can swell and block the throat or esophagus, and to direct at least 8 ounces of liquid per dose. — US over-the-counter products containing hydrophilic gums and mucilloids such as psyllium Evidence E source
  Mandatory choking warning; at least 8 ounces (a full glass) of water or other fluid per dose
• Psyllium is an inhaled allergen for people who handle the powder: a baker using it in gluten-free baking developed confirmed occupational allergic rhinitis with a 10 mm skin test wheal. — one 24-year-old female baker (n = 1) Evidence D source
  Skin prick wheal 10 mm to psyllium; nasal provocation confirmed occupational allergic rhinitis
• The Drug Facts label of a psyllium husk laxative tells people taking any other drug to ask a doctor or pharmacist first. It says to take psyllium 2 or more hours before or after other drugs, because laxatives may affect how other drugs work. — People taking a psyllium husk laxative together with any other drug Evidence E source
  Take psyllium 2 or more hours before or after other drugs, ask a doctor or pharmacist first

What people believe that the data does not support

• Psyllium is not a weight-loss aid by the trial evidence: a meta-analysis of 22 RCTs found body weight changed by only -0.62 lb (-0.28 kg), not significantly. — 22 randomized controlled trials in adults (n = 22 trials) Evidence A source
  Weight -0.62 lb (95% CI -1.7 to 0.46; metric: -0.28 kg, -0.78 to 0.21); BMI -0.19 kg/m2; waist -0.47 in (-1 to 0.08; metric: -1.2 cm, -2.6 to 0.2)
• The European Union did not authorize a claim that soluble fiber from oat, psyllium, pectin or guar gum lowers serum cholesterol, although the US allows a psyllium heart-health claim. — European Union food labeling Evidence E source
  1 psyllium entry, non-authorized; 0 authorized

Who this works differently for

• A 2023 meta-analysis of 6 RCTs with 354 overweight or obese adults found psyllium lowered body weight by about 4.4 lb (2 kg) more than control. — overweight or obese adults, mean BMI 28.7 to 33.9, psyllium 7 to 15 g a day for 2 to 12 months (n = 354) Evidence A source
  Body weight MD -4.6 lb (95% CI -5.7 to -3.5; metric: -2.1 kg, -2.6 to -1.6), I2 0%; BMI MD -0.8 kg/m2 (-1.0 to -0.6); waist MD -0.87 in (-1.1 to -0.55; metric: -2.2 cm, -2.9 to -1.4)
• A 2023 network meta-analysis of 111 RCTs with 6171 overweight or obese adults rated psyllium at -8.2 lb (-3.70 kg) against control with moderate certainty. — adults with overweight or obesity in RCTs of 18 nutraceuticals (n = 6171) Evidence A source
  Psyllium body weight MD -8.2 lb (95% CI -11 to -4.9; metric: -3.70 kg, -5.18 to -2.22), moderate certainty; spirulina -3.9 lb (-1.77 kg), glucomannan -3 lb (-1.36 kg)
• In 47 adolescent boys, 6 g a day of psyllium for 6 weeks lowered the android to gynoid fat ratio by 4% against placebo, with no adverse events. — healthy adolescent males aged 15-16 years from areas with high obesity rates (n = 47) Evidence B source
  Android:gynoid fat ratio -4% (p = 0.019); LDL -4.6 mg/dL (-0.12 mmol/l) (6%); no adverse events
• Across 35 RCTs, psyllium taken before meals cut fasting glucose by 37 mg/dL and HbA1c by 0.97 points in people treated for type 2 diabetes, with no glucose lowering in people with normal blood sugar. — 35 randomized controlled studies in euglycemic, pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetes patients (n = 35 studies) Evidence A source
  T2DM: FBG -37.0 mg/dL (P < 0.001); HbA1c -0.97% (P = 0.048); none in euglycemic subjects
• A meta-analysis of 11 trials in 592 people found psyllium lowered systolic blood pressure by about 2 mmHg, more in those who started higher. — 11 trials, 592 participants (n = 592) Evidence A source
  SBP -2.04 mmHg (95% CI -2.82 to -1.63)
• A 76-year-old man with Parkinson's disease needed endoscopy for a 2 by 0.98 in (2.5 cm) psyllium mass near the junction of his esophagus and stomach, found about 10 hours after he took the powder. — one 76-year-old man with Parkinson's disease (n = 1) Evidence D source
  Esophageal bezoar about 2.0 by 0.98 in (2.5 cm), removed endoscopically
• In an RCT in 109 children aged 5 to 18 with functional abdominal pain, 12 weeks of psyllium gave a response in 86% against 60% on placebo. — 109 children 5 to 18 years with functional abdominal pain disorders, 12 weeks (n = 109) Evidence B source
  Responders 86% vs 60% (P = 0.001); OR 5.49 (95% CI 2.05 to 14.72)
• In a double-blind RCT in children with IBS, 6 weeks of psyllium cut pain episodes by 8.2 against 4.1 on placebo, without changing pain intensity. — children with IBS, mean age 13, psyllium n = 37 vs placebo n = 47, 6 weeks (n = 84) Evidence B source
  Pain episodes -8.2 vs -4.1 (P = .03); intensity no difference

What is still unknown

• A 2025 meta-analysis of 27 RCTs with 1352 adults reported no change in BMI or waist from psyllium and a weight gain estimate driven by heterogeneity. — adults of any health status in 27 RCTs of 14 to 180 days, psyllium 0.002 to 25 g a day (n = 1352) Evidence A source
  Weight WMD +7.9 lb (95% CI 3.2 to 13; metric: 3.57 kg, 1.43 to 5.72), I2 93.72%; BMI WMD -0.06 (-0.68 to 0.55); waist WMD +0.28 in (-0.37 to 0.93; metric: 0.72 cm, -0.93 to 2.37)
• For functional bowel disorders, a 2026 systematic review of 10 RCTs found psyllium improved stool consistency but the trials were too varied and short to pool. — 10 RCTs in adults with functional bowel disorders, 11 to 250 participants, 1 to 8 weeks (n = 10 trials) Evidence A source
  Psyllium improved stool consistency; no pooled estimate

The bottom line

The US heart-health claim for psyllium rests on 7 g or more of soluble fiber from the husk a day, and a food carrying it needs at least 1.7 g per serving. That serving dose is small. Mixed into pasta at 1.7 g, psyllium made no measurable difference to glucose, insulin or stomach emptying in a single-meal crossover trial in 10 people. The European Union did not authorize a claim that soluble fiber from oat, psyllium, pectin or guar gum lowers serum cholesterol, so the same plant carries a label in one market and not in the other. Smaller effects show up elsewhere. Across 11 trials in 592 people systolic pressure fell by 2.04 mmHg (95% CI 1.63 to 2.82). In 15 postmenopausal women, 3.4 g of psyllium with a meal left calcium absorption at 31.7 percent against 34.1 percent without fiber, a gap that was not significant, and iron and zinc were not tested. In 18 people with Parkinson's disease, psyllium husk left levodopa exposure where it was. That is one drug in one small trial. We hold no study of psyllium with thyroid medicine or other tablets taken at the same time, so ask a pharmacist about timing for any other medicine. In 3 trials pooled together, adding psyllium to a statin cut LDL cholesterol about as much as doubling the statin dose. That is an interaction in the helpful direction, and worth raising with whoever prescribes the statin. Children have two trials. In 109 children aged 5 to 18 with functional abdominal pain at a single center in India, 12 weeks of psyllium gave a response in 86 percent against 60 percent on placebo. In children with irritable bowel syndrome, 6 weeks cut pain episodes by 8.2 against 4.1 on placebo, and pain intensity did not change. The trial summaries give no dose by age, so this page cannot say how much suits a child. The caution that matters is swallowing. US rules make psyllium products warn that, taken without enough fluid, they can swell and block the throat or esophagus, and direct at least 8 ounces of liquid per dose. A 76-year-old man with Parkinson's disease needed endoscopy to remove a 2 by 0.98 in (2.5 cm) psyllium mass near the junction of his esophagus and stomach, in a single case report. Breathing the powder can sensitize people who handle it. A baker developed occupational allergic rhinitis, and laxative users and healthcare workers are named as known at-risk groups. We found no study in pregnancy. Psyllium sold as a fiber supplement is a dietary supplement, which in the US the FDA does not approve as a medicine before it is sold. Anyone who takes medicines, is pregnant or has a chronic illness should talk to whoever treats them before taking it. For bowel disorders in adults, a 2026 review of 10 short, varied trials found better stool consistency and could not pool them into one number.

Sources

1. psyl-r1-01 · regulation (21 CFR)
   To qualify for this claim, psyllium seed husk, also known as psyllium husk, shall have a purity of no less than 95 percent, such that it contains 3 percent or less protein, 4.5 percent or less of light extraneous matter, and 0.5 percent or less of heavy extraneous matter, but in no case may the combined extraneous matter exceed 4.9 percent
   21 CFR 101.81, health claims: soluble fiber from certain foods and risk of coronary heart disease · checked 2026-10-03
2. psyl-r1-03 · regulation (21 CFR)
   The following isolated or synthetic nondigestible carbohydrate(s) have been determined by FDA to have physiological effects that are beneficial to human health and, therefore, shall be included in the calculation of the amount of dietary fiber: [beta]-glucan soluble fiber (as described in § 101.81(c)(2)(ii)(A)), psyllium husk (as described in § 101.81(c)(2)(ii)(B)(1)), cellulose, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
   21 CFR 101.9(i), nutrition labeling of food · checked 2026-10-03
3. psyl-r1-02 · regulation (21 CFR)
   7 g or more per day of soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk. ... the psyllium food shall contain at least 1.7 g of soluble fiber per reference amount customarily consumed of the food product
   21 CFR 101.81, health claims: soluble fiber from certain foods and risk of coronary heart disease · checked 2026-10-03
4. psyl-r1-10 · crossover RCT
   Three-way, randomized, cross-over study in 15 healthy postmenopausal women, with calcium-fortified orange juice as the calcium source in all three meals. ... Fractional absorption of calcium from orange juice without added fiber averaged 0.341 +/- 0.059; in the presence of psyllium fiber, 0.317 +/- 0.067
   J Am Geriatr Soc, 1995 · checked 2026-10-03
5. psyl-r1-11 · RCT
   18 volunteers participated in the study and received alternatively two treatments (Plantago ovata husk or placebo) with their usual levodopa/carbidopa oral dose. ... AUC was very similar in the three groups: initial situation.- 62.87 μg.min/ml, fiber treatment.- 64.47 μg.min/ml and placebo treatment.- 65.10 μg.min/ml.
   BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014 · checked 2026-10-03
6. psyl-r1-12 · crossover RCT
   A dose of 1.7 g psyllium did not evoke measurable effects on gastric emptying, postprandial GLP-1, insulin or glucose metabolism.
   Eur J Clin Nutr, 2003 · checked 2026-10-03
7. ev-psyw-02 · meta-analysis of RCTs
   Meta-analysis did not find any significant effect of psyllium supplementation on body weight (MD: -0.28 kg, 95% CI: -0.78, 0.21, p = 0.268), BMI (MD: -0.19 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.55, 0.15, p = 0.27) and WC (MD: -1.2 cm, 95% CI: -2.6, 0.2, p = 0.09).
   Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2020 · checked 2026-10-07
8. ev-psyw-06 · RCT
   Weight, BMI and % total body fat were significantly reduced in FIB and HLT-FIB groups, with weight and BMI significantly reduced in the HLT group compared with control at 12 weeks.
   Br J Nutr, 2011 · checked 2026-10-07
9. psyl-r1-04 · meta-analysis
   Results: We included 28 trials in our analysis (n = 1924). Supplementation of a median dose of ∼10.2 g psyllium significantly reduced LDL cholesterol (MD = -0.33 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.38, -0.27 mmol/L; P < 0.00001)
   Am J Clin Nutr, 2018 · checked 2026-10-03
10. psyl-r1-06 · meta-analysis
    Overall, 311 of 473 (66%) participants responded to fiber treatment and 134 of 329 (41%) responded to control treatment [RR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.88; P = 0.001); I2 = 57% (P = 0.007)], with psyllium and pectin having significant effects. A higher response to treatment was apparent in fiber groups compared to control groups irrespective of the treatment duration, but only with higher fiber doses (>10 g/d).
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2022 · checked 2026-10-03
11. ev-psyw-05 · RCT
    Most adverse events were mild gastrointestinal symptoms and were similar for psyllium compared to placebo. These results indicate that psyllium supplementation contributes to greater fullness and less hunger between meals.
    Appetite, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07
12. ev-psyw-07 · RCT
    A high incidence of gastrointestinal events was reported in the experimental group (74.6%), unlike the placebo group, which reported no side effects.
    Nutrients, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
13. ev-psyw-09 · regulatory labeling requirement
    Taking this product without adequate fluid may cause it to swell and block your throat or esophagus and may cause choking.
    21 CFR 201.319, Water-soluble gums, hydrophilic gums, and hydrophilic mucilloids (US FDA, eCFR current) · checked 2026-10-07
14. psyl-r1-09 · meta-analysis
    Adding psyllium fiber resulted in reductions in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol equivalent to doubling the statin dose.
    Am J Cardiol, 2018 · checked 2026-10-03
15. psyl-r1-13 · regulation (21 CFR)
    Taking this product without adequate fluid may cause it to swell and block your throat or esophagus and may cause choking.
    21 CFR 201.319, water-soluble gums, hydrophilic gums, and hydrophilic mucilloids, required warnings · checked 2026-10-03
16. psyl-r1-15 · case report
    Consumers using psyllium-containing laxatives, healthcare workers handling these, and pharmaceutical workers in laxative-manufacturing plants are known to be at risk of sensitization and subsequent rhinitis, asthma, contact urticaria, and even anaphylaxis.
    Am J Ind Med, 2021 · checked 2026-10-03
17. sf-fibdrug-r6-2 · agency advice
    Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking any other drug. Take this product 2 or more hours before or after other drugs. Laxatives may affect how other drugs work.
    Metamucil psyllium husk powder, OTC Drug Facts label, DailyMed set 57b112ea-f6b1-baa6-e063-6394a90a3b29, effective 2026-08-05 · checked 2026-10-08
18. psyl-r1-07 · meta-analysis
    Meta-analysis did not find any significant effect of psyllium supplementation on body weight (MD: -0.28 kg, 95% CI: -0.78, 0.21, p = 0.268)
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2020 · checked 2026-10-03
19. psyl-r1-18 · regulatory register entry
    POL-HC-7950 Soluble Fibre (from oat, psyllium, pectin or guar gum) Inclusion of this fibre in a healthy diet and lifestyle can lead to serum cholesterol reduction. Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-7950, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-10-03
20. ev-psyw-01 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    The overall mean effect is highly statistically significant (MD = −2.1 kg [95% CI: −2.6 to −1.6]; p < .001).
    Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2023, Psyllium is a natural nonfermented gel-forming fiber that is effective for weight loss: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis · checked 2026-10-07
21. ev-psyw-03 · network meta-analysis of RCTs
    In the main analysis incorporating all trials, there was high certainty of evidence for supplementation of spirulina (MD: -1.77 kg, 95% CI: -2.77, -0.78) and moderate certainty of evidence that supplementation of curcumin (MD: -0.82 kg, 95% CI: -1.33, -0.30), psyllium (MD: -3.70 kg, 95% CI: -5.18, -2.22), chitosan (MD: -1.70 kg, 95% CI: -2.62, -0.78), and Nigella sativa (MD: -2.09 kg, 95%CI: -2.92, -1.26) could result in a small improvement in body weight.
    Pharmacol Res, 2023 · checked 2026-10-07
22. ev-psyw-08 · RCT
    Fibre supplementation led to a 4% reduction in android fat to gynoid fat ratio (p = 0.019), as well as a 0.12 mmol/l (6%) reduction in LDL cholesterol (p = 0.042).
    PLoS One, 2012 · checked 2026-10-07
23. psyl-r1-05 · meta-analysis
    In patients with T2DM, multiweek studies (psyllium dosed before meals) showed significant improvement in both the fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentration (-37.0 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) [-0.97% (-10.6 mmol/mol); P = 0.048]. Glycemic effects were proportional to baseline FBG; no significant glucose lowering was observed in euglycemic subjects
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2015 · checked 2026-10-03
24. psyl-r1-08 · meta-analysis
    An eventual 11 trials with 592 participants were considered as eligible for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction of 2.04 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference, -2.04; 95% confidence interval, -2.82 to -1.63; p < 0.001).
    Korean J Intern Med, 2020 · checked 2026-10-03
25. psyl-r1-14 · case report
    A 76-year-old male with Parkinson's disease visited the emergency department with swallowing difficulty approximately 10 h after ingesting psyllium seed husk powder. ... However, a computed tomography scan revealed an approximately 2.0 cm × 2.5 cm mass located near the gastro-esophageal junction.
    World J Clin Cases, 2022 · checked 2026-10-03
26. psyl-r1-16 · RCT
    The mean age of 109 children (FAP-NOS: 85%; psyllium fiber 57, placebo 52) was 11.8 ± 3.9 years (58% boys). ... Responders (> 50% reduction in pain) were seen in 86% of the psyllium as compared to 60% in the placebo group (P = 0.001).
    Dig Dis Sci, 2026 · checked 2026-10-03
27. psyl-r1-17 · RCT
    Children were assigned randomly to groups given psyllium (n = 37) or placebo (maltodextrin, n = 47) for 6 weeks. ... Children in the psyllium group had a greater reduction in the mean number of pain episodes than children in the placebo group (mean reduction of 8.2 ± 1.2 after receiving psyllium vs mean reduction of 4.1 ± 1.3 after receiving placebo; P = .03)
    Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2017 · checked 2026-10-03
28. ev-psyw-04 · meta-analysis of RCTs
    Our analysis, conducted using a random-effects model, revealed that psyllium significantly increased weight, while having a non-significant effect on BMI and WHR, as well as a non-significant increase in WC.
    Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 2025, The effect of psyllium consumption on anthropometric indices: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · checked 2026-10-07
29. psyl-r1-19 · systematic review
    Ten studies reporting eight parallel and two crossover RCTs evaluating differing fibre supplements and doses for people with various types of FBD were included. ... psyllium improved stool consistency ... though high heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis.
    Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2026 · checked 2026-10-03