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Guar gum is a water-soluble fiber reported to decrease plasma cholesterol levels when given as a dietary supplement. Compared to other methods of lowering cholesterol it is inexpensive and easy to use. But how well does it work?
In this study, 50 men with moderately elevated plasma cholesterol levels (approximately 250 mg/dl) were randomized to receive an eight-week course of therapy that included four interventions: medium-viscosity guar gum (in solid and liquid form), high-viscosity liquid guar gum, or placebo.
At four weeks, medium-viscosity guar gum (both liquid and solid) had decreased total cholesterol by an average of 25 mg/dl, while high-viscosity guar gum had lowered it by an average of 37 mg/dl. This effect was primarily due to a lo…