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Psyllium Husk: Health Benefits
 Psyllium fiber comes from the small reddish brown to black seeds of the
Plantago psyllium plant. Plantago grows as a
weed in many places around the world and is commercially cultivated in Spain,
France, India, Pakistan and other countries. Psyllium seeds are commonly dried
and ground and sold in the form of powders, capsules or chewable tablets. 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.
It needs to be noted that a poor waste elimination promotes poisonous
toxic
buildup, the immune system becomes weakened and the body is vulnerable to
diseases. A healthy colon that is clean provides a strong defense against the
many pathogens that invade the body.
How does Psyllium works? When mixed with water, the fibrous husks of psyllium seeds form a gel-like mass
that absorbs excess water from the intestines and creates larger, softer stools.
In the case of constipation, the added water and bulk help to soften stools,
making them easier to pass. You can take 7.5 grams of the husk one to two
times per day. This can be taking with milk, juice & water.
Health Benefits:
-
 Psyllium fiber lowers blood
cholesterol safely and
effectively. Combining a psyllium-enriched cereal with a whole-oat cereal
may be an even more effective strategy for lowering cholesterol levels.
The soluble fiber in psyllium reduces absorption of blood cholesterol and
bile acids from the intestine and that in turn lowers blood cholesterol
levels. The combination of
low fat diet, low in
saturated fats and
cholesterol plus psyllium, can reduce total cholesterol levels by 4% and
low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 7%.
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Psyllium helps to prevent gallstones. Gallstones (also
known as cholelithiasis) are pebble-like substances that form in your
gallbladder (the organ responsible for storing bile). Bile is a fluid that
helps your body digest fat. When bile contains too much cholesterol or
other materials, it can harden into gallstones. These gallstones can then
block the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder, which can lead to
pain.
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Psyllium can help to normalize bowel function in a
wide variety of disorders, including
constipation, diverticulosis,
hemorrhoids and
irritable bowel syndrome. Even though it doesn't cure
hemorrhoids, passing softer stools reduces irritation in the sensitive
area. Once psyllium enters the colon it produces a spongy mass that
literally absorbs the toxins. It absorbs the excess
water
and swells, as
it breaks down it absorbs the toxic waste that is trapped in the crevices
inside the bowels. It then stimulates contractions that are necessary for
proper bowel movements and eliminates the waste. Also, unlike insoluble
fibers such as oat and wheat bran, psyllium doesn�t irritate the bowel
lining, it works to soothe it.
-
 Psyllium's is an effective treatment for diarrhea
because of its ability to absorb large amounts of excess water from loose
stools.
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Psyllium fiber facilitates
weight loss. By absorbing
water, it fills the stomach, providing a sense of fullness. It also delays
the emptying of food from the stomach, thus extending the time you feel
full.
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Psyllium can help to stabilize levels of glucose
(sugar) in the blood, which may control
food cravings. Research showed
that diabetics who took two doses before meals had significant decreases
in glucose levels. Test subjects that were given psyllium, maintained
glucose levels that were from 11% to 19% lower than subjects on placebos.
And, the same study resulted in cholesterol levels that were between 9%
and 13% lower in subjects that received psyllium.
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When used as a supplement, psyllium may even be very
beneficial to patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. It has been
shown to reduce the symptoms and promote longer periods of remission than
synthetic drugs used to treat the disease. Psyllium is one of the
main ingredients in colon cleansing and detoxification regimens. Colon
detoxification can flush years of trapped toxins out of your body. And,
these highly poisonous toxins are responsible for many of the diseases and
ailments that thousands of people are afflicted with today. It may even
deter the development of
colon cancer!
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Researchers are still discovering new benefits of fiber in the diet.
It has even been credited for reducing the risk of
breast cacer by as
much as 52% by one study.
This pure, natural fiber can be mixed with 8 to 16 ounces
of water or juice. It will absorb the water and become thick, so it should
be drank immediately after mixing. And, since it does absorb so much excess
water, make sure that you drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
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