Psyllium is a soluble fiber commonly used as the main ingredient in many commercially produced laxatives. Derived from the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, psyllium is available in dry seed or husk powder form and is often added to cereals to boost fiber content. For generations, the leaves of the plant have been used in folk medicine to treat various conditions, according to the American Cancer Society. Since the late-80s, scientists have uncovered a number of benefits associated with psyllium that are proven to help treat and prevent medical conditions and improve quality of life.
Cholesterol
Psyllium, when added to a low-fat diet, is known to lower total cholesterol levels---the sum total of good and bad cholesterol---by three to six percent, and LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, by five to nine percent, according to James W. Anderson and colleagues in a February 2000 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." In the study, researchers reviewed scientific literature and found daily consumption of only 10.2 grams of psyllium lowered total cholesterol levels by four percent and LDL cholesterol by seven percent.
What's more, when psyllium is combined with a cholesterol-lowering drug, the results are equally promising. When 5g of psyllium were given to patients in combination with 10mg of simvastatin, a common cholesterol-lowering drug, the reduction in LDL cholesterol was the same as in patients who received double the dosage of simvastatin, Abel E. Moreyra and colleagues note in a May 23, 2005 article in the "Archives of Internal Medicine." Since high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, reducing LDL levels by consuming psyllium also helps prevent the disease.
Constipation
Constipation occurs when bowel movements are infrequent, stools are difficult to pass or are hard and dry. Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that increases the weight of a stool when combined with water. This causes the intestines to contract and decreases the time required for stools to pass through the digestive system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Psyllium also softens stools and reduces pain when passing stools, Baljit Singh says in a January 2007 article in the "International Journal of Pharmaceutics." By softening stools, the risk of developing hemorrhoids also decreases.
Diarrhea
While psyllium is often used in laxatives, it is also beneficial for treating diarrhea. The fiber absorbs water in the digestive system and adds bulk to the stool, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. This makes stools firmer, slows down the time it takes for it to be excreted from the body and increases the number of normal stools, according to Baljit Singh.
Diabetes
Consumption of psyllium is associated with a drop in blood sugar levels in diabetics. Psyllium taken before breakfast and dinner by people with Type 2 diabetes led to a 14 percent drop in levels after breakfast and a 20 percent drop after dinner. As a soluble fiber, psyllium slows the absorption of sugar to help lower insulin and blood sugar levels. The fiber has also been shown to decrease the risk of developing diabetes, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Considerations
Scientific studies suggest psyllium may be beneficial for sufferers of bowel disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, psyllium may also protect against colon cancer and obesity. However, findings in the scientific community are conflicting, suggesting the need for additional studies to conclusively confirm the benefits of psyllium for treating and preventing these conditions.
References
- American Cancer Society: Psyllium
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium intake adjunctive to diet therapy in men and women with hypercholesterolemia: meta-analysis of 8 controlled trials"; James W. Anderson et al.; February, 2000.
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Effect of Combining Psyllium Fiber With Simvastatin in Lowering Cholesterol; Abel E. Moreyra et al.; May, 2005.
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Psyllium
- "International Journal of Pharmaceutics"; Psyllium as therapeutic and drug delivery agent; Baljit Singh; January, 2007.
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