Role of psyllium (Plantago ovata) in the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia

Diabetic dyslipidemia is a metabolic syndrome growing exponentially in number during these last decade. Unhealthy diet such as fast food and sedentary lifestyle contributes to this increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Diabetic dyslipidemia is characterized with increased blood level of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol level. In most cases, patient with diabetic dyslipidemia is asymptomatic, yet has increased chances of complications of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Although drugs such as statin are preferred to be used as main drug of diabetic dyslipidemia, lifestyle and diet modification still plays an important role in the therapy. Psyllium (Plantago ovata), commonly added in diet, is known to have hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effect. The aim of this article is to review the role and effect of psyllium in patient with diabetic dyslipidemia.