When to take
Psyllium Husk

What is psyllium husk good for?

Psyllium husks are a type of dietary fiber which are extracted from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant, also known as desert Indian wheat, or ispaghol. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region, although it has long since been naturalized across Asia and the Americas.

Benefits for digestive health

One of its most common uses is as a laxative to help treat constipation, although interestingly it is also used to combat diarrhea. In other words, it helps to regulate stool formation, preventing it from becoming either too soft or too hard, while increasing stool moisture to facilitate their passage through the intestines.

Psyllium husk is also popular for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Role in regulating blood sugar & cholesterol levels

Apart from resolving digestive woes, research shows that psyllium supplementation may benefit other aspects of our health, especially our heart health.

For example, psyllium has been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels and regulate cholesterol. It achieves this by literally binding to the cholesterol during the digestive process and allowing the body to excrete it before it is absorbed by the body back into the bloodstream.

Role in blood pressure

Psyllium is a water-soluble fiber, and in addition to lowering blood pressure, these are known to also help reduce blood triglyceride levels, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease.

A review of 11 trials reported that psyllium supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure by 2.04 millimeters, and the authors concluded that psyllium supplementation could be used as a viable treatment for people suffering from hypertension.

When should I take psyllium husk?

Psyllium husk is best taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption, however, due to the way in which it binds to partially digested food in the small intestine, it can actually inhibit the absorption of other nutrients and supplements, so it is ideally taken by itself, without any other supplements at the same time, if possible.

Psyllium Husk data sources & further reading

• https://www.rootalive.com/blog/what-is-psyllium-husk-benefits-uses-recipes-and-more
• https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/psyllium
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318707
• https://www.healthline.com/health/psyllium-health-benefits
• https://www.livestrong.com/article/370849-psyllium-taken-with-vitamins/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15322358/