Supplemental Fiber Helps Lower Cholesterol and Boosts Weight Loss

A new 12-week study compared taking psyllium fiber¹ (55 grams of fiber per day) to a healthy diet (31 grams of fiber per day) as well as to a healthy diet plus psyllium fiber (59 grams of fiber per day), with a control group (20 grams of fiber per day).  The research showed that boosting fiber intake beyond the level found in a healthy diet offered a significant improvement, with the best improvement seen by adding fiber to a healthy diet.

Since our government recommends 25 grams of fiber per day many people eating fruit, vegetables, and grains may not consider extra supplemental fiber.  However, if those people are overweight then this new study shows that supplemental fiber can be a huge help.  Boosting fiber intake to twice the current government recommendations, resulted in the highest amount of weight loss, reduction in BMI Body Mass Index. BMI is a statistical measurement of body weight based on the person's height and weight. It does not actually measure the body fat percentage but provides an estimation of a healthy body weight. Normal BMI for adults ranges from 18.5-24.9, and drop in % body fat. 

The fiber-supplementing groups also experienced reduction in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein. It is a group of lipids and proteins that allow lipids like cholesterol, triglycerides, and fat soluble nutrients (Vitamin A, D, E , K, Q 10, carotenes) to be transported with the water-based bloodstream. , indicating improvement in heart related risks of the metabolic syndrome and by definition an improvement in leptin resistance.  Adding supplemental fiber to your diet, is a common sense basic for any person trying to correct a weight problem and its adverse metabolic consequences.