Whole Psyllium Husks

In your favorite supplement

If you've ever heard of Metamucil, then you have some idea of what whole psyllium husks are. Metamucil, along with other famous product names such as Fiberall and Serutan, is a supplement containing the ground-up or powdered form of the husks of the psyllium seed. Although some people think of it as a natural laxative, the husk itself is an extremely high source of soluble fiber. The original plant from which the seed originates is Plantago ovata.

Although it's used for treating constipation and other intestinal disorders, there have been some suggestive studies that consuming processed whole psyllium husks also helps lower total cholesterol. If you go to your local supermarket, you can find brand name cereals such as Heartwise and Bra n Buds that are based on psyllium. These cereals are often marketed with the claim that they are lipid (cholesterol) lowering and "heart health pr omoting". The extent to which the cholesterol lowering works is unclear from the limited studies, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) give s it a grade A if it's taken as part of a regimen for managing cholesterol.

A bulk laxative

As mentioned, psyllium in Metamucil is used primarily as an anti-constipation agent. It works as a fiber supplement would, by drawing excess water from the gut wall into the gut space (the lumen), which helps matter retain bulk and eases its transit through the colon. It won't work for everyone who has constipation, but for the fraction it helps ( estimated to be around 30%), it has been found to increase the weight of the stool, increase the frequency of bowel movements, as well as decrease the amount of time matter spends in the lumen. Metamucil a nd other bulk laxatives based on whole psyllium husks can be found as over-the-counter products as drug stores and other nutritional supply stores.

Treating diarrhea?

Paradoxically, products containing whole psyllium husks have also been used to treat diarrhea even though it's a bulk laxative. In some studies of patients who were fed by intravenous tubes, the addition of psyllium seemed to mitigate diarrhea and oil discharge. This is considered to be due to its "stool bulking" effects.

Other conditions

Although whole psyllium husks products get touted for treating a wide range of other illnesses, according to the NIH most studies are fairly inconc lusive. For conditions such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, etc, psyllium gets a grade of "C" from the NIH as a treatmen t for which sufficient evidence exists. In other words, the NIH doesn't find the evidence compelling for using psyllium to alleviate or mitigate the symptoms of these disorders.

NIH warnings

According to the NIH and others, handling pure psyllium husk powder is a risk for sensitizing individuals, resulting in allergic reactions. There have been reports of anaphylactic shock due to excessive exposure, and symptoms such as rashes, wheezing or difficulty breathing after contact with the powder form. If an individual has some anatomical or organ-related condition, taking too much psyllium can also result in unintentional blockage due to the large food mass that form s.

Source: NIH page on psyllium.