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

¹ Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
² Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
³ Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Dana E. King, MD, MS, Department of Family Medicine, 295 Calhoun St, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, kingde{at}musc.edu

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 markers.

METHODS This study was a prospective randomized controlled trial at a single university medical center. Participants were overweight or obese adults with no history of heart disease. The intervention was psyllium supplementation at either 7 or 14 g/d for 3 months compared with no supplements in a control group. The main outcome measure was change in level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration; secondary outcomes included changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, fibrinogen levels, and white blood cell (WBC) count. Protocol completers attended at least 2 visits and took more than 75% of the prescribed fiber dose.

RESULTS In this intent-to-treat analysis (n = 158), there were no significant differences between either of the 2 treatment groups and the control group in the amount of change in CRP, fibrinogen, or IL-6 levels or in WBC count (P>.05). In the analysis of protocol completers (n = 132), there also were no significant differences between the groups except for a small decrease in fibrinogen level in the high-fiber group (–6 mg/dL [–0.18 µmol/L] compared with 13 mg/dL [0.38 µmol/L] in the control group, P<.05).

CONCLUSION Psyllium fiber supplementation did not significantly reduce CRP levels in overweight or obese individuals in this trial, and changes in other markers were not consistent. Further research is needed to determine whether other fibers or nutrients can reduce inflammatory markers.

Key Words: Inflammation • dietary supplements • dietary fiber • C-reactive protein • psyllium

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