Psyllium Husk / Gram

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Psyllium Husk

Psyllium is a type of fiber commonly used as a gentle, bulk-forming laxative.

Being a soluble fiber, psyllium is able to pass through your digestive system without being completely broken down or absorbed. It is a great egg substitute too.

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5 Health Benefits and Uses of Psyllium Husk

1. Relieves Constipation and Diarrhea

Constipation is a very common health issue. Chronic constipation is especially common in adults older than 60 years, and symptoms occur in up to 50 percent of nursing home residents. Additional fiber intake in the form of psyllium is recommended by scientific studies to improve symptoms and provide natural constipation relief. Psyllium is recommended over magnesium-based laxatives, which should be avoided due to potential toxicity.

When combined with water or another liquid, psyllium husk swells and produces more bulk, which stimulates the intestines to contract and helps speed the passage of stool through the digestive tract. Psyllium has also been found to be superior to docusate sodium for softening stools by increasing stool water content and has greater overall laxative efficacy.

2. Lowers Cholesterol

Research makes it very clear that psyllium seed husk is a therapeutic addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle for people struggling with high cholesterol levels.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study, all subjects maintained their usual diets, which provided less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day and approximately 20 percent of energy from protein, 40 percent from carbohydrates and 40 percent from fat. The study found that eight weeks of treatment with psyllium reduced serum total cholesterol levels by 14.8 percent, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 20.2 percent and the ratio of LDL cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 14.8 percent relative to baseline values. The reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol became progressively larger with time, and this trend appeared to continue at the eighth week.

3. Helps Manage Blood Sugar

Psyllium can help current diabetics as well as people trying to prevent diabetes since the dietary consumption of fibers like psyllium husk can assist in maintaining healthy glycemic balance in the body.

One study evaluated psyllium seed husk fiber€™s effect on lipid and glucose levels as an adjunct to dietary and drug therapy in patients with type II diabetes. The study found that taking psyllium daily can help patients with type II diabetes control their blood sugar without negative side effects.

4. Improves Heart Health and Blood Pressure

Adding high-fiber foods like psyllium seed husk to your diet can help to 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. Hypertension affects 30 percent of the population and is a preventable condition.

5. Healthy Weight Management

In our society, obesity is the most prevalent health issue affecting all age groups, and it leads to many serious health problems, including diabetes and chronic heart disease. So, is psyllium husk good for weight loss? Psyllium husk is among the list of medicinal plants that have been shown to significantly decrease body weight.

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