Psyllium husk – Promote weight loss and cleanse your colon
Nothing more needs saying! Read on….
“Psyllium husk is an amazing shrub-like herb that is most commonly found in India. It possesses a plethora of health benefits and has proven effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome, colon caner, constipation, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis among various other health conditions. Akin to flax seed and oat bran, the fiber in psyllium husk is soluble. Soluble fiber is useful in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) which reduces the risk of heart disease and promotes overall health.
Psyllium husk is a bulking fiber, which means once ingested it expands and forms a gelatin-like mass in the colon by drawing water in. Once this occurs the husks are able to “scrub” the intestines clean and transport waste through the intestinal tract.
Better than pricey weight loss supplements
Although typically psyllium husk is thought of as colon cleansing or regularity supplement it can be very useful as a weight loss tool. Psyllium husk is highly effective when taken about 30 minutes before meals. This way, the husks will have time to expand in your stomach and give you a “full” feeling. This will help you eat smaller meals and thus lose unwanted pounds.
Unfortunately, when the majority of the population buys a weight loss supplement, they don’t question what’s in it or how it works. Many of these so called “weight loss supplements” that will cost you an arm and a leg are simply cheap fiber supplements. Most of them are in the pill form which means you’re getting a miniscule dose and none of them are more effective than whole psyllium husks.
Tips for buying and using psyllium husk
There are many psyllium husk supplements available; however, they are not all created equal. Many manufacturers grind the husk into a fine powder and then add artificial flavors and colors to make it easier and more pleasant to consume. This not only makes the psyllium husk far less effective, it introduces unwanted toxins to your system. This variety is typically the only type you will find in traditional grocery stores.
You will likely need to go to a health food store to purchase whole psyllium husks with no additives. Whole psyllium husks can be difficult for some people to swallow, so be sure to drink your husks with a full glass of water to avoid choking. It is also important to drink lots of water while taking psyllium husk because without sufficient water the husks can begin to create blockages in the intestines.”
by: John McKiernan, naturalnews.com
About Cathy
Hi, I'm Cathy! I am a retired school teacher and I love gardening, herbs and learning about natural cures and remedies. You can email me with questions or comments: heardling@gmail.com
It is interesting to hear of an alternative and natural weight loss product. I decided to research psyllium on the Natural Standard Foods, Herbs, and Supplements Database to learn a little bit more about it. Natural Standard gives psyllium an efficacious grade of C for obesity (meaning there is some evidence for and against its effective use in weight loss), while Natural Standard gives psyllium an A for its effectiveness in treating high cholesterol (there is solid evidence in favor of its use). Just a word of caution: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)announced that the granular form of psyllium is not recommended for over the counter use. The granular form has been known to cause obstruction in the esophagus for some patients. Follow the recommendation of your health care provider when selecting this product. Other forms such as powders, tablets, and wafers are recognized as safe – but as this article says, be sure to drink plenty of water!!