Since I am the doctor, I think it is prudent to discuss medical conditions every so often to keep you all up on the latest. Today I will review cholesterol and fiber. Fiber, as you know, can actually bring down the cholesterol in your blood, but it has to be a certain kind.

Psyllium is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated add-on therapy for elevated cholesterol. Psyllium is a soluble fiber supplement recommended to reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This may seem complicated, but just be aware that studies have proven the success of soluble fiber in reducing cholesterol.

The guidelines recommend increased soluble fiber (10 - 25 g daily) as a therapeutic option to enhance LDL-C lowering. Soluble fibers such as psyllium have a stronger protective effect than insoluble fibers in reducing coronary mortality. In the United States, the typical diet is often deficient in soluble fiber.

The point of all this................take your metamucil, but make sure it is sugar free!