Psyllium Husk: Health Benefits
Psyllium fiber comes from the small reddish brown to black seeds of the Plantago Psyllium plant. Plantago grows as a weed in many places around the world and is commercially cultivated in Spain, France, India, Pakistan and other countries. Psyllium seeds are commonly dried and ground and sold in the form of powders, capsules or chewable tablets. Every 100 grams of psyllium provides 71 grams of soluble fiber; a similar amount of oat bran would contain only 5 grams of soluble fiber.
It needs to be noted that a poor waste elimination promotes poisonous toxic buildup, the immune system becomes weakened and the body is vulnerable to diseases. A healthy colon that is clean provides a strong defense against the many pathogens that invade the body.
How does Psyllium works? When mixed with water, the fibrous husks of psyllium seeds form a gel-like mass that absorbs excess water from the intestines and creates larger, softer stools. In the case of constipation, the added water and bulk help to soften stools, making them easier to pass. You can take 7.5 grams of the husk one to two times per day. This can be taking with milk, juice & water.
Health Benefits:
- Psyllium fiber lowers blood cholesterol safely and effectively. Combining a psyllium-enriched cereal with a whole-oat cereal may be an even more effective strategy for lowering cholesterol levels. The soluble fiber in psyllium reduces absorption of blood cholesterol and bile acids from the intestine and that in turn lowers blood cholesterol levels. The combination of low fat diet, low in saturated fats and cholesterol plus psyllium, can reduce total cholesterol levels by 4% and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 7%.
- Psyllium helps to prevent gallstones. Gallstones (also known as cholelithiasis) are pebble-like substances that form in your gallbladder (the organ responsible for storing bile). Bile is a fluid that helps your body digest fat. When bile contains too much cholesterol or other materials, it can harden into gallstones. These gallstones can then block the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder, which can lead to pain.
- Psyllium can help to normalize bowel function in a wide variety of disorders, including constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. Even though it doesn't cure hemorrhoids, passing softer stools reduces irritation in the sensitive area. Once psyllium enters the colon it produces a spongy mass that literally absorbs the toxins. It absorbs the excess water and swells, as it breaks down it absorbs the toxic waste that is trapped in the crevices inside the bowels. It then stimulates contractions that are necessary for proper bowel movements and eliminates the waste. Also, unlike insoluble fibers such as oat and wheat bran, psyllium doesn’t irritate the bowel lining, it works to soothe it.
- Psyllium's is an effective treatment for diarrhea because of its ability to absorb large amounts of excess water from loose stools.
- Psyllium fiber facilitates weight loss. By absorbing water, it fills the stomach, providing a sense of fullness. It also delays the emptying of food from the stomach, thus extending the time you feel full.
- Psyllium can help to stabilize levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood, which may control food cravings. Research showed that diabetics who took two doses before meals had significant decreases in glucose levels. Test subjects that were given psyllium, maintained glucose levels that were from 11% to 19% lower than subjects on placebos. And, the same study resulted in cholesterol levels that were between 9% and 13% lower in subjects that received psyllium.
- When used as a supplement, psyllium may even be very beneficial to patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. It has been shown to reduce the symptoms and promote longer periods of remission than synthetic drugs used to treat the disease. Psyllium is one of the main ingredients in colon cleansing and detoxification regimens. Colon detoxification can flush years of trapped toxins out of your body. And, these highly poisonous toxins are responsible for many of the diseases and ailments that thousands of people are afflicted with today. It may even deter the development of colon cancer!
- Researchers are still discovering new benefits of fiber in the diet. It has even been credited for reducing the risk of breast cacer by as much as 52% by one study.
