Benefits of Psyllium Husk

Benefits of Psyllium Husk

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Adults should eat 6-8 servings of fiber daily, but many of us don’t meet that requirement in our diet.  Fiber is vital for healthy bowel movements and to lower the risk of colon cancer, reduce cholesterol, and even help with weight loss.

Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber that supports digestive health. It is known and widely used to help alleviate diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.  It’s largely found to be safe and effective for fiber supplementation and is commonly found in health stores in powder or capsule form.  "Soluble fiber” means it dissolves in water and forms gel-like substance that eases bowel movements, and improves regularity without increasing gas. 

Psyllium husk is primarily prescribed for daily increased fiber intake and commonly as a laxative, but research shows a number of benefits including promoting the health of the digestive system, heart and improving the gut microbiome. According to some studies ground psyllium husk powder is beneficial for the gut flora of constipated participants. 

“In studies psyllium husk has been shown to increase the abundance of three key types of bacteria (Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium) that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that promotes gut health and combats inflammation. Researchers also found that psyllium powder was correlated with higher water content in stool, faster colonic transit time, and looser stools.” https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/psyllium-husk-fiber/

Because Psyllium absorbs water, another beneficial use is to relieve mild-to-moderate diarrhea and is even considered globally effective for IBS. (Contact your physician for a severe/ongoing illness.)

More on Psyllium Husk: https://draxe.com/nutrition/psyllium-husk/