does anyone use psyllium seed husk?

[Mom2boys]

I'm just wondering if anyone else is using this to "keep things moving well". If you are, how much are you taking ? Also, how often? I am doing two heaping tsp once a day in a glass of juice.

[Mom2boys]

this is a good link. This stuff really works.

www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/72/3/784

[Mom2boys]

www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/Herb/Psyllium.htm

Dulcie and Judy,
This one talks about diabetes. This stuff is so cheap, it may be worth a try. See, I think about you guys when I'm researching

[Joy2BMommy]

I do, use it daily. I usually use psyllium husk powder and take 1tsp. in my cran/water in the morning and then again in the evening. When I ran out recently, I decided to try whole psyllium husk - not the whole seed, but instead of the powder it's bigger flakey things - reminds me of orange juice pulp when I mix it. The gal at the health food store where I shop said because it has the bigger pieces it *scrapes* more of the intestinal wall as it passes through. Not sure if that's true or not, but I've decided when I'm done with it I'm going back to the powder. They're both the same price, but you have to take 1 tbsp. of the whole instead of only 1 tsp. of the powder. I can do it, but it's not pleasent to gag down a whole tablespoon of that stuff.

On a side note, (and sorry if this is TMI) my Dad had sever polyps and hemoroids a few years back. Initially they were concened he had colon cancer. His doctor at the time said that if everyone would take metamucil 2x daily it would nearly eliminate colon cancer risk. This could have just been his opinion, I never really looked into it, but we started taking it regularly then. About 2 years ago we switched to plain psyllium as opposed to the metamucil as I didn't think we needed the extra sugar, flavorings, and food dyes.

I started drinking it in my cranwater (1 c. pure cranberry juice in 56 oz. water) when I was doing the Fat Flush Plan. It's part of the daily protocol for all three phases of the plan. There it's called the "Long Life Cocktail".

Blessings,
Debbi

[Mom2boys]

I use the whole husk too. I have never tried the powder, so I don't know any difference. I drink it in a small glass of pineapple coconut juice every morning.

[canadamom]

I know this is an old thread. But just in case anyone is still interested.

I'm reading 'The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure' by Robert Kowalski. He says for psyllium to be most effective (at least in terms of cholesterol), you should take 1 teaspoon, 3 times daily in water with meals.

Lynne

[Mom2boys]

Thanks Lynne! I really like the results that the psyllium husk produces. I am reccommending it in my practice now as well.

[Carmen]

Just wondering...is this for use only when sluggish bowels are not responding to added fiber in the diet, i.e. more fruits and veggies and whole grains? I have always found that if things are not "moving well" just increasing my intake of my home-made bread and some extra water and veggies will do the trick.
Also, I have heard of and have used in the past ground flax seed for the same problem. How does psyllium seed compare to it nutritionally and in efficacy?
Thanks!

[Mom2boys]

Hi Carmen,
There is no nutritional value to Psyllium seed. I also have flax in my morning smoothie. I have noticed that since I am now officially embarking upon menopause that things have slowed down in the elimination area. I am linking it directly to the increases cholesterol levels in menopausal women . If we aren't eliminating as quickly we are reabsorbing.

So , I tried the Psyllium seed husk. I can actually feel it working down the walls of my intestines. I hope this isn't TMI. I feel like it's doing a better job of cleaning the actual walls of the intestines. When I first started using it, I saw quite a bit of mucous, so I'm thinking that it would be helpful for an occasional cleanse.

I am not big on supplements,but since this is a food product, I am okay with using it. I do take breaks from it just because I want to be sure that I am not depending on it.

I'm also finding that the raw foods are helping tremendously. I haven't done them this week and I have had lack of energy and have been very grumpy! I can't wait to get that produce order!

[Carmen]

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.