Psyllium husk how long to take effect

National Cholesterol Education Program. Pal S, Radavelli-Bagatini S. Effects of psyllium on metabolic syndrom risk factors. Obes Rev. Nutriceuticals in cardiovascular disease: psyllium. Cardiol Rev. Puccianni F, raggioli M, Ringressi M. Usefulness of psyllium in rehabilitation of obstructed defecation. Tech Coloproctol. Common dietary supplements for weight loss.

Am Fam Physician. The effects of psyllium on lipoproteins in type II diabetic patients. Eur J Clin Nutr. Lack of effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. A combination of psyllium and plant sterols alters lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic subjects by modifying the intravascular processing of lipoproteins and increasing LDL uptake. J Nutr. Theuwissen E, Mensink RP. Water-soluble dietary fibers and cardiovascular disease.

Physiol Behav. Cholesterol reduction using psyllium husks - do gastrointestinal adverse effects limit compliance? Results of a specific observational study. Time and dose dependent effect of psyllium on serum lipids in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia: a meta analysis of controlled clinical trials. Psyllium decreased serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly in diabetic outpatients.

J Ethnopharmacol. Dietary Sources This substance comes from psyllium seed and psyllium husk. Available Forms Standard preparations of psyllium are available in dry seed or husk form, to be mixed with water as needed. How to Take It Pediatric Children should get fiber from their diet. Adult If you use a commercial product that contains psyllium, follow the package directions.

Precautions Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, you should take them only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. A potential side effect from any fiber product is gas and bloating. People with kidney disease should talk to their doctor before taking psyllium. Possible Interactions If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use psyllium supplements without first talking to your health care provider.

Antidepressant medications, Tricyclics Dietary fiber has been shown to lower the blood levels and effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressant medications in some people. Tricyclic antidepressants include: Amitriptyline Elavil Doxepin Sinequan Imipramine Tofranil Carbemazepine Tegretol Taking psyllium with carbamazepine, a medication used to treat seizures, may decrease the absorption and effectiveness of carbamazepine.

Cholesterol-lowering medications bile acid sequestrants Taking psyllium with cholesterol-lowering medications called bile acid sequestrants may help further lower cholesterol levels and may reduce side effects of colestipol. Bile acid sequestrants include: Cholestyramine Questram Colestipol Colestid Diabetes medications Fiber supplements may reduce levels of blood sugar, making the possibility of hypoglycemia low blood sugar more likely. Digoxin Fiber supplements may reduce the absorption of digoxin, a medication used to regulate heart function.

Lithium Psyllium may lower lithium levels in the blood, reducing the effectiveness of this medication. Rakel D. Rakel Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; Singh B. Psyillium as therapeutic drug delivery agent. Int J Pharm. Wick J. Soluble fiber is also said to promote a feeling of fullness, or satiety, which may result in better weight control. In a study published in the journal Appetite in , for instance, psyllium supplementation resulted in greater fullness and less hunger between meals compared to a placebo.

Side effects can include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Allergic reactions have also been reported. To prevent constipation, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly, and eat a high-fiber diet, including whole-grain bran cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Psyllium shouldn't be taken by people with bowel obstructions or spasms, difficulty swallowing, or a narrowing or obstruction anywhere in the digestive tract. People with kidney disease and those who are taking certain medications may not be able to take psyllium supplements. Psyllium is not recommended for use in children unless recommended by the child's healthcare provider. If you have a new or persistent change in your bowel habits, be sure to consult your healthcare provider.

If you have a health condition that requires treatment such as diabetes or heart disease , talk with your healthcare provider if you're interested in psyllium rather than in forgoing or delaying standard care.

Also, if you've been prescribed medication, never discontinue taking it without consulting your healthcare provider first. Psyllium comes in many forms—as a powder, granules, capsule, liquid, and wafer, all of which are taken by mouth. It's usually taken one to three times daily. Psyllium must be taken in the recommended amount and mixed with an adequate amount of water or other liquid at least eight ounces or milliliters or it may lead to constipation and possibly even cause a small bowel obstruction.

Starting slowly with a small dose—specifically, no more than a five-gram increase a day each week—is recommended to give the digestive system time to adjust to the increased fiber. The Institute of Medicine recommends a fiber intake of about 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams a day for men adults ages 21 to Older adults tend to consume fewer calories, so the recommendation for women and men over 50 is 21 grams and 30 grams a day, respectively.

If using as a laxative, psyllium should only be used for one week. Psyllium can be used for longer periods of time as a fiber supplement, but only with your healthcare provider's permission. The absorption of many drugs can be affected by psyllium, so talk to your healthcare providers before using psyllium if you're taking any medicine. Don't take psyllium at the same time you take your medicines. Psyllium should be taken at least two hours before taking your medicines or two to four hours afterward.

Before incorporating a fiber supplement like psyllium consider whether you can increase your fiber consumption by changing your diet. To get more soluble fiber every day, look to oats, barley, nuts, seeds, legumes such as beans, lentils, and peas , fruits like apples, oranges, and grapefruit, and vegetables.

Insoluble fiber is found in fruits with edible peel or seeds, vegetables, whole-grain products such as whole-wheat bread, pasta, and crackers , bulgur wheat, stone ground cornmeal, cereals, bran, rolled oats, buckwheat, and brown rice. While there's no dietary reference intake for soluble or insoluble fiber, many experts recommend that about one-quarter of your total daily dietary fiber intake—about six to eight grams—come from soluble fiber.

Although psyllium may be helpful in treating certain types of occasional constipation and may have benefits when taken for other conditions, it's best used in combination with other treatments and preventative strategies that may include diet, lifestyle changes, and medication. Quite the contrary: For most healthy people, psyllium offers a variety of benefits. Only people with certain conditions are advised to not take psyllium, such as those with digestive conditions, kidney disease, or who have trouble swallowing.

Children should not be given psyllium without a healthcare provider's guidance. It depends why you're taking it. If you're treating constipation , you should use psyllium for no longer than one week. As a fiber supplement, you may be able to take it every day but you should only do so with your healthcare provider's guidance. Metamucil is one brand name of fiber supplements that contain psyllium.

All are available over the counter. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Bruma Jose M. By binding to food, more liquid is absorbed in the intestines.

There can be several causes of constipation. Stress is one of them. Find out other causes and how you can relieve constipation in this informative guide. It can take two to three days to see improvements in bowel activity. A general rule is to try bulk-forming laxatives, such those containing psyllium, before using other stimulant and osmotic laxatives.

To enhance its stool softening capability, drink plenty of water. As a general rule, adults should try to drink about eight glasses of fluid per day. Preferably, half of this volume should be water. Support the action of psyllium by also eating varied sources of fibre in your daily meals. For example, fruit and vegetables, wholemeal and wholegrain breads and cereals, brown rice, and wholemeal pasta. Getting your body moving can help to keep your digestive system moving too.

Try building some form of activity into your daily routine. This helps normalise bowel movements and reduce the severity of diarrhoea. Psyllium is a gel-forming fibre that binds to fat and bile acids. This helps your body excrete these substances. When the liver starts the process of replacing these bile acids, it has to use cholesterol instead to make more. As a result, the levels of cholesterol in the blood can reduce. However, as an example, an adult taking psyllium husk for constipation may take it once, twice or three times a day.

But note, any laxative supplement is generally only recommended for short term use. Instead, eating a healthy diet including various sources of fibre is a better longer term way to prevent recurrent constipation.

Psyllium works on constipation by triggering laxative effects and creating intestinal bulk. Although in time this can have a favourable effect on regulating bowel movements, it can also cause some initial unwanted side effects.

For example, excess wind, bloating and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms should settle as your body adapts to receiving the extra fibre. Studies suggest taking psyllium at mealtimes can encourage feelings of fullness and reduce hunger between meals. More studies will hopefully unravel the connection if any with weight loss.