Psyllium
Seed Effectively Cleans the Colon
Plantago psyllium is a plant native
to Iran and India. Psyllium stalks contain tiny seeds, also called
psyllium. Psyllium seeds are covered by husks, which is the part
of the plant used in foods. Psyllium seed husk contains glycosides
and mucilages which are used in the food industry to form gels that
give thickening and textural changes to foods. Psyllium seed husk
is a source of water soluble fiber, similar to fiber found in grains
such as oats and barley. But the amount of soluble fiber in psyllium
seed is much higher than oat bran. Every 100 grams of psyllium provides
71 grams of soluble fiber; a similar amount of oat bran would contain
only 5 grams of soluble fiber.
Psyllium fiber is not broken down as it passes down the gastrointestinal
tract and so psyllium seed has no nutritive value other than as
a source of fiber. Adding water to dry psyllium seed husk causes
it to swell to up to ten times its original volume. For many years
products containing psyllium have been used to increase fecal bulk
and loosen stools.
Recently the United States Food and Drug Administration acknowledged
psyllium seed's role in lowering blood cholesterol levels by allowing
health claims to be made for products containing psyllium fiber.
The soluble fiber in psyllium seed husks reduces absorption of blood
cholesterol and bile acids from the intestine and that in turn lowers
blood cholesterol levels.
Psyllium seed is a bulk-forming laxative and is high in both fiber
and mucilage. It is often used to treat constipation. The laxative
properties of psyllium seed are due to the swelling of the husk
when it comes in contact with water. The resulting bulk when ingested
stimulates a reflex contraction of the walls of the bowel. The psyllium
seed husk acts as a hard sponge as it works it way down, forming
a bulky stool, which is easy to pass. This often causes an emptying
of the bowel.
It is sound advice to include as many sources of fiber in your diet
as possible, particularly soluble fiber like the kind found in pysllium
seed husks. There's convincing evidence that dietary fiber helps
prevent heart disease, diabetes, diverticulosis, and other diseases.
Some studies have found a high-fiber diet lowers cancer risk.
Psyllium seed husks are a good
addition to natural colon cleansing products because psyllium has
the capacity to extract many feet of mucus from the intestinal walls
in a short period of time.
|