Psyllium as a metabolic corrector in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Druk I.V., Nagoeva Z.M., Lyalyukova E.A.

1) Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; 2) Maikop State Medical University, Maikop, Russia

Objective: Evaluation of the evidence on the efficacy of psyllium as a metabolic corrector in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2): effects on glycemia (plasma glucose, HbA1c), insulin resistance, anthropometric parameters (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference), lipid metabolism parameters, safety, and tolerability.
Materials and methods: Narrative, non-systematic review using the following sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, PMC, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), ClinicalTrials.gov. Search terms included «psyllium,» «Plantago ovata,» «psyllium husk,» «diabetes,» «type 2 diabetes,» «obesity,» «weight,» «lipids,» «metabolic syndrome,» «randomized,» and «systematic review.» The search covered publications up to October 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and large scientific reviews relevant to the topic were included. Inclusion criteria: studies in adult patients with obesity and/or DM2, lasting at least 4 weeks, and reporting at least one metabolic outcome (glucose, HbA1c, lipids, body weight). Experimental animal studies (except those with useful mechanistic data) were excluded.
Results: Psyllium is a dietary supplement that influences nutrient absorption. Psyllium demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in postprandial glycemia, a moderate decrease in HbA1c (by an average of 0.3–0.6%), and a reduction in low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol. The effect on body weight and triglycerides was less clear. Psyllium was well tolerated, with side effects observed primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract (flatulence, bloating).
Conclusion: Psyllium may be a useful adjunct therapy in overweight patients at risk for DM2, with DM2, and dyslipidemia. Larger, longer-term RCTs are required to confirm its independent role in obesity correction and long-term metabolic control.

For citations: Druk I.V., Nagoeva Z.M., Lyalyukova E.A. Psyllium as a metabolic corrector in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pharmateca. 2025;32(8):18-25. (In Russ.). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2025.8.18-25

Authors’ contribution: Study concept and design – I.V. Druk. Data collection and processing – Z.M. Nagoeva, E.A. Lyalyukova. Writing – Z.M. Nagoeva, I.V. Druk. Editing – I.V. Druk.
Conflicts of interest: The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: The study was conducted without any sponsorship.

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About the Authors

Inna V. Druk, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8317-7765
Zalina M. Nagoeva, Lecturer, Department of Hospital Therapy and Postgraduate Education, Maikop State Medical University, Maikop, Russia; zalina_090687@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9322-7719 (corresponding author)
Elena A. Lyalyukova, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Omsk State Medical University, Omsk, Russia; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4878-0838

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