Psyllium seed husks

Psyllium seed husks are the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata shells. They are marketed as a food and for medicinal purposes under the name psyllium seed husks and cultivated for that purpose primarily in India and Pakistan.

Are psyllium husks sometimes referred to as an herbal swelling agent or Stuhlaufweicher and used accordingly as intestinal regulator, where they can help both constipation and diarrhea: The information contained in the psyllium plant fiber - called Flosine - Schleimpolysaccharide - are capable of more than the 50 - multiple bond of water ( swelling index > 40), which leads to a volume increase of the stool in bowel, stimulates peristalsis by the resulting pressure on the intestinal wall, and finally trigger the defecation reflex. In the end, thus the motility of the intestine is regulated and the transit time ( residence time) extended the absorbed water in the intestines, which explains its efficacy in diarrhea.

The European Medicines Agency in London has the efficacy and safety of psyllium husks in October 2006 in the form of an " EU Herbal Monograph " certified. A meta-analysis of clinical studies from the period 1966-2003, the traditional therapies of chronic constipation devoted himself revealed for Flohsamenschalen a medium good evidence of effect ( "moderate evidence" ).

Psyllium is also intended to promote the growth of friendly bacteria in intestinal. By the colonic bacteria, the soluble fiber can be converted into short-chain fatty acids and these are then in a position to inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver and thus lower the cholesterol level in the blood. In addition, the soluble fiber of the psyllium to prevent the fecal bile acid, which results in increased cholesterol excretion. Psyllium should quickly fall inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract faster. Psyllium seed husks are also used due to their swelling effect in the stomach to assist in weight control and obesity treatment. These effects have not been sufficiently substantiated and therefore mainly subject of alternative medical treatments.

338171
de