Digestive health: the multiple benefits of psyllium
Psyllium seed is recognized as having a beneficial effect on the gut, easing both constipation and diarrhea. Follow our advice to get the maximum benefit from the properties of blond or brown psyllium.
What exactly is psyllium?
The plant Psyllium, also known as ispaghula or Desert Indianwheat, belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. In India, it is known as ‘horse’s ear’ due to its distinctive shape .
It is primarily grown for the pharmacological properties of its seeds, but also for use by the agro-food industry (1).
Psyllium: what’s the difference between the blond and brown forms?
Blond psyllium comes from the Plantago Ovata variety, while the brown form (also called ‘red’ or ‘black’) is obtained from Plantago Afra (2).
Blond psyllium has the advantage of having a greater fibre content (30%) than brown psyllium (10%-12 %).
The benefits of psyllium, an excellent transit regulator
Psyllium seems to be particularly effective at helping to regulate gastrointestinal transit. Psyllium seed and its husk (external covering) contains mucilage, a form of viscous soluble fibre which absorbs and retains water from food.
A natural laxative for constipation
By absorbing water in the gut, psyllium fibre helps to soften and facilitate the elimination of stools in the case of constipation. It thus helps speed up GI transit time(3-4).
Some studies even suggest that psyllium is more effective than certain medications (5). Compared with some laxatives, it also produces fewer unpleasant side-effects such as flatulence and uncomfortable bloating.
The benefits of psyllium seed for alleviating diarrhea
Somewhat surprisingly, psyllium seed is also effective against diarrhea: the fibre actually helps to convert the water in stools into gel, making them firmer. So, whatever your particular problem, psyllium could well help improve your digestive comfort.
Psyllium seed’s other health benefits
Though psyllium is often considered primarily for its benefits on digestion, it also offers hope in other areas. Researchers believe it to be an interesting avenue for the control of cholesterol and triglycerides (6), as well as that of hypertension. (7)
Its potential for improving digestion also makes it a possible aid to weight loss (8).
Which form of psyllium should you take?
For those who regularly suffer from intestinal problems, psyllium is available in the form of a powder or ‘flour’, to be taken with plenty of water. You can, for example, try the excellent supplement Psyllium Husk, composed exclusively of blond psyllium seeds.
References
- Khaliq, R., Tita, O., Antofie, M., & Sava, C. (2015). Les applications industrielles du psyllium : un aperçu, ACTA Universitatis Cibiniensis, 67(1), 210-214.
- Rao, Monica. (2014). Caractérisation des polysaccharides du Psyllium (Plantago ovata) et leurs utilisations. Polysaccharides, 2014.
- Une approche factuelle de la gestion de la constipation chronique en Amérique du Nord, American Journal of Gastroenterology : 2005 - Volume 100 - p S1-S4.
- Ashraf, Park, Lof, and Quigley (1995), Effets de la thérapie au psyllium sur les caractéristiques des selles, le transit du côlon et la fonction anorectale dans la constipation idiopathique chronique. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 9: 639-647.
- McRorie JW, Daggy BP, Morel JG, Diersing PS, Miner PB, Robinson M. Le psyllium est supérieur au docusate sodique pour le traitement de la constipation chronique. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998;12(5):491-497.
- Anderson JW, Allgood LD, Lawrence A, et al. : Effets hypocholestérolémiants de l'apport de psyllium en complément d'un traitement diététique chez les hommes et les femmes souffrant d'hypercholestérolémie: méta-analyse de 8 essais contrôlés. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(2):472-479.
- Cicero AF, Derosa G, Manca M, Bove M, Borghi C, Gaddi AV. Différents effets de la supplémentation alimentaire en psyllium et en guar sur le contrôle de la pression artérielle chez les patients hypertendus en surpoids: un essai clinique randomisé de six mois. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2007;29(6):383-394.
- Verma, Anjali. "Tégument de psyllium (Plantago ovata) : un aliment merveilleux pour une bonne santé." (2015).
Keywords
6 Days
good value
ease of ordering, well described products, short delivery time
richard sears
6 Days
Bioperine
Product works as advertised and the delivery time was excellent.
JEFFREY
7 Days
SuperSmart is where I look first for quality supplements
SuperSmart's supplements have always been top-notch for both me and my husband. I recommend this company for the best quality supplements. Whenever I have a health issue that I want to address with supplements, I go first to SuperSmart and look under the health topic supplements category and start looking there first for how to address whatever I need. Can't go wrong with SuperSmart.
Diane
8 Days
You have what the doctor can’t do for…
You have what the doctor can’t do for me Lower de prolactin I am very happy You change my life.!
MENDOZA Mirna
11 Days
Your products are good
Your products are good. You just need to change the way people purchase. Give customers the option of being a guest purchaser.
Grace Jordan
13 Days
Prompt and accurate service.
Prompt and accurate service.
Cecelia Grosholz
13 Days
Very happy customer
The supplements I have purchased from Supersmart have helped me enormously. Their products are well-priced compared to other brands. My order of H. Pylori Fight Advanced Formula arrived yesterday. I have not used this before, but I am hopeful this will be another positive experience.
C Sara
15 Days
KEEP SEARCHING
The knowledge of knowing by reading what is available to us.
DOMINIC
18 Days
Their products are excellent!
Their products are excellent. I highly recommend SuperSmart for all supplementation needed.
LAZO Renata
20 Days
great website
great website, good products fast, easy checkout
Vivian
21 Days
Fast and efficient service as always
Fast and efficient service as always
OOMEN Robert
21 Days
Renewed at a discount and items arrived…
Renewed at a discount and items arrived when promised.
El Capt
26 Days
Good service
Good service - thank you
EM
28 Days
Fast shipper
Fast shipper. With the great discounts on repeat orders, it is a good reason, great discount to try something new.
Larry
30 Days
SuperSmart has the best supplements…
SuperSmart has the best supplements which generally surpass their American counterparts. I have never purchased a SuperSmart product that did not seem effective at its intended purpose. I trust SuperSmart above all other brands.
Ronald S. Smith