Psyllium isn’t so Silly

Psyllium is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative in products such as Metamucil. It comes from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata that grows in parts of Asia, Mediterranean regions of Europe, and North Africa. Each plant can produce up to 15,000 tiny, gel-coated seeds, from which psyllium husk is derived.

The soluble fiber found in psyllium husks can help lower cholesterol, relieve both constipation and diarrhea, and is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and other intestinal problems.

When psyllium husk comes in contact with water, it swells and forms a gelatin-like mass that helps transport waste through the intestinal tract. It soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, making stool firmer and slower to pass. Several large population-based studies also suggest that increased fiber intake may reduce risk of colon cancer.

Some physicians recommend psyllium for mild-to-moderate cases of diarrhea from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. In one study of people with ulcerative colitis, psyllium was as effective as the prescription drug mesalamine (Pentasa, Rowasa, Asacol) in maintaining remission, but with the benefit of being 100% natural.

Work closely with your doctor to decide how much fiber is right for you, but generally for irritable bowel syndrome, an initial dose of 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of psyllium per day is gradually increased to 4 doses per day.

Information from the University of Maryland Medical Center