MUST KNOW - Psyllium Husk

At first i thought of writing my 2nd True Confession about Constipation. But then, better not this time. Not ready to share something that a little bit shameful. However, i am sure a lot of us faced this situation. When you age increased this problem become more common to us. This is all because of our own lifestyle, especially our DIET. Here, i want to share about Psyllium Husk. I bought one bottle of this fiber from Kuching the other day just to try it out. I have problem to go to toilet so, maybe this will work. I did drink Inner Shine, eating banana etc but still i only visit toliet once in three to four days. Feel really bad about it because stomach is not easy and many other things that you feel that you are unhealthy. So, i goole info about this fiber and wanted to share it here.

What is Psyllium Husk?
Psyllium husk or isphagula is the covering of seeds grown on the plant, Plantago Psyllium, which flourishes in the Middle East. Psyllium husk has long been recognized as an excellent means of getting more dietary fiber into a person’s diet due to its high fiber count in comparison to other grains. Oat bran, also a good source of fiber, has about five grams of fiber per a third of a cup. Psyllium husk, on the other hand, offers approximately 71 grams of fiber for that same third of a cup.

This heavy dose of dietary fiber makes psyllium husk the choice of many who manufacture dietary fiber supplements and powders like Metamucil. For those suffering from constipation or diarrhea, appropriate daily dietary fiber intake can help improve these conditions. As psyllium husk travels through the human digestive tract, it absorbs water, but is not digested. This results in stool that is bulkier, but also softer, translating to fewer problems with passing stool.

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Eventhough this fiber sounds helping me but then i need to find out what is the side effect of using this fiber. Here is something that i have to consider too.

Risks of Psyllium Ingestion
Although using psyllium husks can provide health benefits, its use on a regular basis presents some serious risks as well. The following excerpts describe side effects associated with taking psyllium husk supplements.

1. A woman living in New York reported her boyfriend began using psyllium to cleanse his intestinal tract and developed a severe case of Candida overgrowth. One possibility is that, since psyllium can act as an intestinal cleanser and the white coating on his tongue was due to the product removing toxins. Since no medical intervention was sought, it’s difficult to determine if Candida overgrowth is a risk factor of taking psyllium or if it was simply the toxins coming to the surface that caused the symptom to appear.

2. Another report states psyllium may actually cause constipation. A woman from North Carolina began taking psyllium as a colon cleanser. Thereafter, her frequency of bowel movements reduced from once a day to once every two days and she experienced bloating as well. She consulted an alternative healing therapist who discovered she had an impacted colon. He advised against using psyllium husks for constipation as some people can develop constipation as a result of taking the supplement.

3. A woman from South Carolina states she experienced chest tightness and had difficulty breathing after taking psyllium husks for the purpose of colon cleansing. The woman also has mild asthma and obtained relief from the tightness only after drinking an extra eight-ounce glass of water with ½ lemon juice added. This could be because a minute amount of the psyllium was caught in her esophagus and began to swell, thereby restricting her airway, or the symptom could have been unrelated.

If taken on a regular basis, such as for treating constipation, psyllium products can lead to physiological dependency so it’s not advisable to consume psyllium on an extended basis.

When psyllium husks are used as a dietary fiber, it can make stools softer and this may help relieve symptoms of constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and other intestinal disorders. When mixed with water, psyllium swells and is thus able to assist in transporting fecal matter through the intestines. As a colon cleanser, psyllium shortens the amount of time the body retains toxic-laden waste, and this factor could potentially reduce the risk for developing colon cancer and other digestive diseases.

Safe Alternative to Psyllium Husks
It must be noted, however, regular use of any artificial product to stimulate the bowels will eventually cause the colon to stop functioning on its own. Do not take psyllium-containing products simply to “prevent constipation” when no need exists for this backhanded method. Rather, you can prevent constipation by drinking plenty of water, dietary fiber, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Modifying your diet so it’s high in fiber is probably the best way to relieve and prevent constipation. You can also try a specially formulated product such as Oxy-Powder® to promote normal bowel function without encountering the negative health risks associated with ingesting psyllium husks.

*Hope this info will bring some thoughts to my dear friends out there. I only take once so, i am not sure what is the effect to me yet. Will share more later.


With Love,
Little Rose