Here's What Psyllium Husk Really Does to Your Body
by Admin
Posted on 05-02-2025 11:55 AM
Promotes digestive health: the fiber in psyllium husk helps regulate digestion. Fiber cannot be absorbed by the body, and when mixed with water, it forms a gel that moves along the digestive system , trapping and removing waste. This helps the body pass waste more easily, promoting bowel movement regularity, preventing gas buildup, and softening stools, thereby reducing the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Psyllium is also a prebiotic that helps the growth of probiotics in the gut, promoting good digestion. Prevents diarrhea and constipation : psyllium soaks up excess water in the digestive tract, adding bulk to stool.
It is used to treat mild to moderate diarrhea and relieves constipation.
Wanting to improve your ibs symptoms ? eat more fiber. Trying to manage your diabetes ? eat more fiber. Looking to lower your ldl cholesterol ? eat more fiber. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “ eat more fiber ” more than you’d like. But there’s good reason it’s a popular refrain. Fiber does all kinds of great things in your body. And you may have heard about psyllium husk, a type of soluble fiber. It’s been getting a lot of hype when it comes to weight loss (some have called it the “poor man’s ozempic ®” or “natural ozempic”). https://www.specialistsupplements.com/product-category/children/
What is psyllium husk?
Lately, people have been referring to the supplement as "the poor man's ozempic," but there's not enough information to back up any specific correlation between psyllium and weight loss. In fact, a recent meta-analysis from 2020 states that it "did not find any significant effect of psyllium supplementation on body weight. "however, nielsen says fibers like psyllium may cause sensations of fullness, which could help with portion control if shedding a few pounds is one of your health goals. What are the side effects of psyllium husk?
the side effects of taking too much psyllium are mild and may include gas, bloating and abdominal discomfort, experts say.
The nhs notes that 1 in 100 people experience gas and bloating when taking psyllium husk supplements.
It may lower cholesterol levels.
Psyllium, which comes from the seeds of the herb plantago ovata, is a popular fiber supplement used to treat constipation (metamucil is one familiar brand, but many similar products are available). Psyllium husk also helps lower ldl cholesterol levels as well as two other lipid markers for heart disease, according to a study in the sept. 15, 2018, american journal of clinical nutrition. The study pooled findings from 28 trials in people with normal and high cholesterol levels. It found that a daily dose of about 10 grams of psyllium husk lowered harmful ldl cholesterol 13 mg/dl when taken for at least three weeks.
Adding soluble fiber to your diet may be beneficial if you have high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). This, in turn, lowers your risk of atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"). Soluble fiber interferes with the absorption of compounds called bile acids in the intestines. These compounds aid with digestion but, when they are unavailable, the body will use cholesterol instead. As a result, cholesterol levels will start to drop. Several studies have evidenced this effect in psyllium. A 2018 review from the university of toronto reported that 10 grams of psyllium daily significantly lowered "bad" ldl cholesterol levels and could potentially delay atherosclerosis in some people.
Adding high-fiber foods like psyllium seed husk to your diet can help lower heart disease risk. More specifically, a diet high in water-soluble fiber like psyllium husk is associated with lower triglyceride levels and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. A study in the european journal of clinical nutrition evaluated the effects of psyllium in type ii diabetic patients and found that psyllium not only improved blood sugar, but also reduced the risk of coronary heart disease. Psyllium also has been shown to improve hypertension or high blood pressure, which has a direct negative effect on hearth health. One main way to prevent hypertension is through a healthy diet.
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the center of your chest caused by stomach acid moving up into your esophagus , or food pipe. It can be occasional symptoms or a chronic condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). A low fiber diet is an increased risk of heartburn and gerd. Adding psyllium husk fiber to a low fiber diet may help reduce the symptoms of heartburn and nonerosive gerd, especially in people who also experience constipation. It’s thought that this is because the fiber may bind the nitric oxide in foods, helping to increase pressure in the valve connecting your esophagus and stomach.