Psyllium husk or isphagula is the covering of seeds grown on the plant, Plantago Psyllium. Psyllium contains a high level of soluble dietary fiber, and is the chief ingredient in many commonly used bulk laxatives. It is cultivated primarily for its use as a laxative or as a dietary fiber ingredient in foods, such as ready-to-eat cereals. Although the seed alone contains the bioactive mucilage polysaccharide, the refined psyllium seed husk, known as the Ispaghula husk, is the psyllium component principally used as the soluble fiber source for laxatives, cereals and nutritional supplements. Psyllium may also have hypocholesterolemic, glucose-regulatory and bowel-regulatory actions.
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. 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. Although most associate Psyllium husk with improving digestion, clinical studies on isphagula have also shown that it is beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol. Yet even with a higher fat diet, Psyllium husk, when taken regularly, lowers low-density lipoproteins, known as “bad cholesterol” by about 7%. Psyllium's effect on serum cholesterol levels has been tested in numerous studies and has proven to be quite substantial in lowering cholesterol.
The bulking effect of Psyllium husk also works to rid the colon of toxic substances, including heavy metals, as it acts almost as a sponge to soak them off the walls of the intestine. This spongy action has a dual advantage as it can decrease hunger when taken with meals. Psyllium husk has proven to be useful in some cases of diarrhea. In these instances it acts to slow down a too rapid transit time. Psyllium, in fact, seems to stabilize bowel movements and is often used in cases of alternating constipation and diarrhea. It also encourages the growth of healthful, "friendly" intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilous and bifidobacteria which are helpful in regulating bowel movements.
Refereneces:
Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-psyllium.html
WiseGeek. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-psyllium-husk.htm
HealingDaily Newsletter. http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification/herbal-colon-cleansing.htm
PDR Health. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/psy_0214.shtml
