Health Claim: Psyllium Husk May Help To Lower Cholesterol
About Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk is the generic term applied to several members of the star plant family whose natural seeds are now used extensively for the manufacture of psyllium husk powder. Psyllium is primarily utilized as a soluble fiber for relief of constipation and occasional diarrhea, as a bulk fiber for added bulk in bread and other foods, and as a food thickening agent. In addition to its well-deserved reputation for being a highly beneficial bowel component, Psyllium has other beneficial properties that make it an excellent weight-loss companion.
Psyllium Husk contains soluble fibers that help lower cholesterol levels and are a significant source of fiber, the good kind that can be really helpful if you’re trying to lose weight. This fiber, a complex of two amino acids, quercetin and pilosebaceous acid (which makes up about 80 percent of Psyllium husk), binds with fat and may help reduce the amount of cholesterol your body produces, while also slowing down the conversion of cholesterol into lipids that can be harmful. In addition to helping limit appetite, Psyllium Husk helps prevent the formation of fat in the abdominal area, which can be a major cause of accumulated cholesterol and obesity.
Because psyllium husk is a soluble fiber, many experts believe that it provides an intestinal cleansing agent similar to an anti-diarrhea agent. This is one reason why many people who take this supplement also have an overall lower body weight than those who don’t. Because psyllium husk is not digested very quickly, it passes through the digestive system before being absorbed by the rest of the body. Consequently, its impact on weight loss and body detoxification is likely to be much greater when compared with other natural dietary supplements. In addition to its ability to help reduce appetite, Psyllium Husk may also help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract and decrease the likelihood of absorption of fats from food into the bloodstream, another contributing factor to weight loss and maintaining a healthy colon.
Although the exact mechanisms responsible for its weight-loss properties are not fully understood, it is thought that psyllium husk has the potential to stimulate peristaltic waves in the colon, which results in the emptying of stomach contents and feces, reducing food intake and weight gain. However, as isabgol capsules contain only minute amounts of psyllium husk, there is currently no evidence that consuming the whole seed is beneficial. To maximize the health benefits of Psyllium Husk, consider pairing it with other natural dietary supplements such as isabgol, flaxseed, or blackstrap molasses.
Psyllium Husk : Helps to Lower Cholesterol
Psyllium Husk is a large, seed-like capsule with a consistency similar to that of peaches or nuts. It contains a variety of soluble fiber called “psilicates” as well as several types of amino acids that work together to prevent fermentation (e.g., isabgol) of carbohydrates in the body. Among the soluble fibers, however, is an ingredient called “ephedra” which stimulates the liver to produce more bile. Bile is necessary for making digestion possible and is, in fact, one of the most important nutrients needed by the human body. Although Psyllium Husk is considered to be an all-natural remedy for constipation, some sufferers have reported reduced bile production and worse symptoms after switching to a diet that includes psyllium seeds and isabgol rather than isabgol alone.
There are two main potential health claims provided by the manufacturers of Psyllium Husk but they do not relate to any of the substances included in the drug. The first potential health claim is that psyllium affects cholesterol levels. The manufacturers base this claim on the observation that cholesterol levels tend to be highest in the morning and that individuals may sleep more if they are taking cholesterol medications. While these observations may seem reasonable on their face, they actually miss many important variables. In order to control cholesterol levels, you need to make other changes to your lifestyle as well as reducing stress, increasing exercise, eating a healthy diet including fruit and vegetables, and getting regular physical activity. While there is some truth to the observation that people who consume a lot of cholesterol-rich foods tend to have higher cholesterol levels, the relationship between cholesterol and psyllium husk is probably no more significant than the relationship between cholesterol and any other type of fiber.