Taking psyllium - have a fibre intake question

trudijoy
trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
edited January 27 in Food and Nutrition
Hi all

I'm taking a psyllium/prebiotic/probiotic supplement because my thyroids meds changing has messed up my digestion pretty badly. My question is.... do I need to be as particular about my fibre intake as I'm being? I've been going out of my way to make sure I hit 25g a day, but the supplement website says something about ' no matter what you eat' .

Can you go too far with the fibre/psyllium combo?

Replies

  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    I'd rather take psilocybin.
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    I have to hit 15g a day because of my Fibromyaglia and IBS.

    I have other health issues, but won't get into gross detail. I've had several bacterial infections in my intestines, and am on a probiotic daily because of it (had the infections 5 times in 4 years, now it's been 15 months and no infections yet...), but my probiotic is over 5 Billion parts per capsule.

    I know if you overdo your fiber, you'll have major gassing issues and diarrhea. I've done that too. That's why I'm now limited to 15g, and I seem to do fine here.

    I would check with your physician, since you have a thyroid issue and see what they recommend as well. I can only tell you what's working for me :wink:
  • Rosplosion
    Rosplosion Posts: 739 Member
    I'd rather take psilocybin.

    Agreed!


    Awesome about the probiotics they are great for digestion. Psyllium husks are used to "sweep out" the small intestines and can be disasterous if used incorrectly. Fiber is always good for digestion. I recommend lots of leafy greens, fruits and veggies. Whatever you do DRINK A TON of water if you're going to take the psyllium husks. You can get seriously constipated if you fail to drink enough water. Soda, coffee, tea, juice and other liquids DO NOT COUNT. I cannot stress this enough.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    I'd rather take psilocybin.

    Agreed!


    Awesome about the probiotics they are great for digestion. Psyllium husks are used to "sweep out" the small intestines and can be disasterous if used incorrectly. Fiber is always good for digestion. I recommend lots of leafy greens, fruits and veggies. Whatever you do DRINK A TON of water if you're going to take the psyllium husks. You can get seriously constipated if you fail to drink enough water. Soda, coffee, tea, juice and other liquids DO NOT COUNT. I cannot stress this enough.

    I drink over 2L of water a day, but yeah, I've definitely read the warnings about choking etc I have had issues with getting blocked up - thats why i went on this in the first place, for the most part... I'm just a little confused.
  • Rosplosion
    Rosplosion Posts: 739 Member
    I'd rather take psilocybin.

    Agreed!


    Awesome about the probiotics they are great for digestion. Psyllium husks are used to "sweep out" the small intestines and can be disasterous if used incorrectly. Fiber is always good for digestion. I recommend lots of leafy greens, fruits and veggies. Whatever you do DRINK A TON of water if you're going to take the psyllium husks. You can get seriously constipated if you fail to drink enough water. Soda, coffee, tea, juice and other liquids DO NOT COUNT. I cannot stress this enough.

    I drink over 2L of water a day, but yeah, I've definitely read the warnings about choking etc I have had issues with getting blocked up - thats why i went on this in the first place, for the most part... I'm just a little confused.

    So, the answer is yes. Yes you DO need to be particular about your fiber if regularity is what you're seeking. Like I said before, lots of leafy greens (spinach, chard, collard greens etc) fruits and veggies. You can't get too much fiber. Also, make sure you're getting enough good fats (any other than trans), drinking enough water and of course stay away from crazy drugs like RX pain killers those things will EFF up your digestion. I can't say that Psyllium husks are going to help your problem on a permanent basis. But changing your diet, relaxing while you eat, giving yourself time in the bathroom, chewing your food more than you think you need to and generally being good to yourself is always helpful.

    Good luck. I only know all this from personal experience. I am not a doctor, but good on your doctor for advising probiotics.
  • ecdce
    ecdce Posts: 129 Member
    Because its totally confusing. There are two types of fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble. Excuse me while I get a bit gross in the explanation. Soluble tends to slow things down; they absorb water and form sort of a paste. So they sit in your stomach longer, keep you feeling full longer, etc. Things like oatmeal, lentils, flax, apples. They're the 'weight loss' fiber, I guess you could say. And this is the sort of fiber you'd focus on to help diarrhea, I believe. I think this is the one that lowers cholesterol, too.

    Insoluble fiber is the opposite. It doesn't break down and it moves pretty quickly through the digestive tract. And while it moves it takes everything along with it. Which is why it helps with constipation and people say "it cleans you out". Things like whole grains, seeds, celery, leafy green things, brown rice, the skins of a lot of fruits and veg, and so on.

    Its fine to focus on one, say insoluble in order to get more regular, but you really need both in your diet. You can have too much fiber too quickly, like if you suddenly go from 10 grams a day to 30, and you'll get some unpleasant side effects, but doing things slowly should take care of the side effects. If you eat WAY too much fiber (or too much of one type, perhaps) you can get chronic diarrhea that leads to malabsorption. Too much fiber and not enough water can cause intestinal blockage. I remember from a college course that in the middle ages, in continental Europe, the lower classes were often well fed on bread and ale, but often malnourished because they were getting way too much fiber from the wholegrain bread they ate in large quantities. But that's not a first world problem at. You're far more likely to be short on fiber than eating too much.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    Because its totally confusing. There are two types of fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble. Excuse me while I get a bit gross in the explanation. Soluble tends to slow things down; they absorb water and form sort of a paste. So they sit in your stomach longer, keep you feeling full longer, etc. Things like oatmeal, lentils, flax, apples. They're the 'weight loss' fiber, I guess you could say. And this is the sort of fiber you'd focus on to help diarrhea, I believe. I think this is the one that lowers cholesterol, too.

    Insoluble fiber is the opposite. It doesn't break down and it moves pretty quickly through the digestive tract. And while it moves it takes everything along with it. Which is why it helps with constipation and people say "it cleans you out". Things like whole grains, seeds, celery, leafy green things, brown rice, the skins of a lot of fruits and veg, and so on.

    Its fine to focus on one, say insoluble in order to get more regular, but you really need both in your diet. You can have too much fiber too quickly, like if you suddenly go from 10 grams a day to 30, and you'll get some unpleasant side effects, but doing things slowly should take care of the side effects. If you eat WAY too much fiber (or too much of one type, perhaps) you can get chronic diarrhea that leads to malabsorption. Too much fiber and not enough water can cause intestinal blockage. I remember from a college course that in the middle ages, in continental Europe, the lower classes were often well fed on bread and ale, but often malnourished because they were getting way too much fiber from the wholegrain bread they ate in large quantities. But that's not a first world problem at. You're far more likely to be short on fiber than eating too much.

    so do I drop down from the recommended to the MFP macro for fibre, which is about half that? I'm eating both kinds from what I can tell and drinking plenty of water
  • Beavergong
    Beavergong Posts: 178 Member
    Could someone please explain what is so good about psilocybin? I've been on 5:2 for 16 weeks and have lost 21 lbs and great blood results but I have real problems with constipation. Before you ask I drink more than 8 glasses of water. The dr has dropped me down on my thyroxine substitute oroxine which doesn't help. But I'm determined to stay on the diet. AND. Stay regular. A naturopath suggested 1 teaspoon of psyllium with .5 teaspoon of slippery elm in a glass of orange juice followed by a glass of water before bed. It's just working but I'm interested in any other hints. Yes I do eat green veges and fruit. I was regular before starting 5:2. All positive suggestions welcome.
  • ecdce
    ecdce Posts: 129 Member
    Because its totally confusing. There are two types of fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble. Excuse me while I get a bit gross in the explanation. Soluble tends to slow things down; they absorb water and form sort of a paste. So they sit in your stomach longer, keep you feeling full longer, etc. Things like oatmeal, lentils, flax, apples. They're the 'weight loss' fiber, I guess you could say. And this is the sort of fiber you'd focus on to help diarrhea, I believe. I think this is the one that lowers cholesterol, too.

    Insoluble fiber is the opposite. It doesn't break down and it moves pretty quickly through the digestive tract. And while it moves it takes everything along with it. Which is why it helps with constipation and people say "it cleans you out". Things like whole grains, seeds, celery, leafy green things, brown rice, the skins of a lot of fruits and veg, and so on.

    Its fine to focus on one, say insoluble in order to get more regular, but you really need both in your diet. You can have too much fiber too quickly, like if you suddenly go from 10 grams a day to 30, and you'll get some unpleasant side effects, but doing things slowly should take care of the side effects. If you eat WAY too much fiber (or too much of one type, perhaps) you can get chronic diarrhea that leads to malabsorption. Too much fiber and not enough water can cause intestinal blockage. I remember from a college course that in the middle ages, in continental Europe, the lower classes were often well fed on bread and ale, but often malnourished because they were getting way too much fiber from the wholegrain bread they ate in large quantities. But that's not a first world problem at. You're far more likely to be short on fiber than eating too much.

    so do I drop down from the recommended to the MFP macro for fibre, which is about half that? I'm eating both kinds from what I can tell and drinking plenty of water

    Sorry, I'm really new here and still learning my way around. MFP recommends how much? I know Harvard says you should have a minimum of 14 grams for every 1000 calories you consume, but if you're cutting calories and are used to more fibre, that may not be a good rule of thumb. I wouldn't worry too much about an upper limit unless you're getting symptoms, like diarrhea, bloating, cramps, gas, etc. If it helps, I've always heard 50 grams as being a general upper limit, and that's a lot of fibre. But really, the unpleasant symptoms will let you know when its just too much.
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    MFP was about 15 for my calorie intake (which is TDEE - 20% ish), but the 'national guidelines' thing says 25....

    things seem to be coming right and it's only been a week so perhaps i just need to bide my time with the increased fibre + the supplement and see what happens. It's also just pre - TOM so that won't be helping.
  • Beavergong
    Beavergong Posts: 178 Member
    "I'd rather take psilocybin. "

    Several of you said this. I'd never heard of it so I googled it. Have I missed something .Wikipedia said it comes from a mushroom and has a similar chemical composition to LSD? Is this what you are recommending for fibre?
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,477 Member
    "I'd rather take psilocybin. "

    Several of you said this. I'd never heard of it so I googled it. Have I missed something .Wikipedia said it comes from a mushroom and has a similar chemical composition to LSD? Is this what you are recommending for fibre?

    I think it was a joke. Maybe just because the name is similar to psyllium?
  • kindasortachewy
    kindasortachewy Posts: 1,084 Member
    I have two fiber one bars a day and I'm running to the bathroom! lol
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