Psyllium Fiber

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jhanleybrown
jhanleybrown Posts: 240 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So thinking of starting to take Psyllium Fiber daily. My weight loss is part of a general health improvement plan. My good cholesterol is very high, but bad cholesterol also a bit high. I'm a "regular guy" and don't really support there. So I'm just thinking about this as an additional step for cholesterol and general health. I'm not very into supplements but a little extra fiber seems like it could only be good for you.

Any known downside to this? I eat reasonably healthily (although not as healthy as some). No known health issues except a bit elevated cholesterol.

Replies

  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
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    Do you track your fiber on MFP? Do you get 30 grams a day? If not, adding fiber to your diet through foods and supplements is a good idea if your goal is to improve overall health. Fiber reduces risk of some cancers as well as helping lower cholesterol (although you should also be watching your saturated fat intake for that) and helping you feel full longer.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
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    Psyllium made me bloated, so I stopped taking it. Instead I eat more whole foods which contain fiber.
  • 143tobe
    143tobe Posts: 620 Member
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    As far as I know, the only downside is if you don't drink enough water you can end up having issues. What these issues are, I don't know...sorry.

    I only starting taking psyllium regularly this past month and it's been great. How it benefits me:
    Altough I have never had a problem "going", when I do "go", it's like "going" clouds.
    I eat a low carb diet but always miss my favorite food. Cereal. I now put about a tablespoon of psyllium in my plain jogurt and it's almost like eating cream of wheat for me. So satisfying.
    I also put a tablespoon or two of psyllium in my almond milk and if I eat it immediately I can still feel the crunch of the fiber and it tastes almost like eating my favorite food...Cheerios.

    So for me, I am loving the psyllium. My fiber intake was already adequate but in my opinion, for me, it is still worth taking.

    What it doesn't do:
    It has zero affect on decreasing my appetite. Definitely does not make me feel fuller or decrease my hunger or the amount of food I consume.

    Don't know how it affects my blood sugar or cholesterol.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,977 Member
    edited November 2019
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    I tend to get constipated and take a tbsp ground psyillium daily to remain "regular." IMO, this is the main (if not the only) reason to add it to your diet.

    I have a high total cholesterol level but all of my other cholesterol indicators are at or better than recommended levels. I do not take psyillium to affect my cholesterol levels. I take a statin for this purpose.

    If you decide to take psyillium as a supplement, for whatever reason, here are some things that I think are important to note:

    1) Drink A LOT of water to facilitate digestion.

    2) if you ingest "too much" psyillium, it can cause very loose movements and even the runs.

    3) Some experimentation will be required to find the "right" amount to take. Start w/lesser amounts to avoid digestive problems.



  • hroderick
    hroderick Posts: 756 Member
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    When I eat small amounts, I go from daily regular to third day regular. Fiber keeps me daily. Psylliym being natural is probably better than other forms.
  • JenniferM1234
    JenniferM1234 Posts: 173 Member
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    Hmm maybe I didn't drink enough water with it when I've tried it? I tried it twice (for "regularity" purposes) and both times I felt uncomfortably bloated instead of...at ease or something. I've been eating Fiber One bars occasionally for that regularity situation, they work like a charm but are actual sugary food rather than just straight up fiber husks.
  • curlsintherack
    curlsintherack Posts: 465 Member
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    it gave me horrible gas. If you enjoy farts that last several seconds and smell like death this is the stuff for you. I took it while waiting for hernia surgery. My family went on vacation and asked me to stay at home.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 32,070 Member
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    For any significant increase in fiber intake, I'd recommend phasing it in gradually if possible, to minimize possibility of digestive tract distress.
  • candylilacs
    candylilacs Posts: 614 Member
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    I use in psyllium husk in “Keto” cooking.
  • jhanleybrown
    jhanleybrown Posts: 240 Member
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    whmscll wrote: »
    Do you track your fiber on MFP? Do you get 30 grams a day? If not, adding fiber to your diet through foods and supplements is a good idea if your goal is to improve overall health. Fiber reduces risk of some cancers as well as helping lower cholesterol (although you should also be watching your saturated fat intake for that) and helping you feel full longer.

    I get a reasonable amount of fiber (avocados, nuts, berries, whole grains...etc) . But am still below daily recommended amount. And have read a lot that a diet high in soluble fiber helps cholesterol. Hence supplementing with Psyllium tablets. I've done it for about 4 days. Doesn't appear to have visible side effects. I'm going to stick with it and then see how bloodwork goes at next checkup. Doing this in conjunction with losing 20 lbs (and plenty of exercise). I've been told by MD that I might in the near future have to consider statins. The main reason he's kept me off them is because my good cholesterol is really high (probably due to olive oil and avocados...). I really don't want to go into them so losing 20 lbs, cutting red meat and upping fiber, then will see how it comes back. Already exercised a lot although have increased intensity with weight loss/health reset effort.

    I may report back post check up.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,467 Member
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    Just here to emphasize start slowly, increase gradually, and drink plenty of liquid with it.
    If you’ve already started and are having no problems, then good for you!

    143tobe wrote: »
    As far as I know, the only downside is if you don't drink enough water you can end up having issues. What these issues are, I don't know...sorry.

    .

    One “issue” is blockage, or constipation.
  • StatChicBayes
    StatChicBayes Posts: 352 Member
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    I had super high LDL back in February (over 250 and was also pre-diabetes, but have high HDL and low triglycerides that are protective/not at risk). Have lost 63 pounds through diet and exercise (and about 3-8 to go) with diet macros close to the Mediterranean diet. I take a tablespoon of psyillum daily (mixed with nut milk, overnight steel cut oats, berries) to help keep my fiber intake up even though I eat lots of leafy greens and consume other fiber rich plants, but it was recommended by my lipids specialist also to help with reducing LDL C. (suggested increasing up to 2T daily). I also took a plant sterol supplement (bluebell brand, can look it up exactly if interested as I could not find Benocol spread (also recommended). Not sure that I can pin-point which was most important - given what is know about possible reductions for each, probably all - but I was able to reduce my LDL C down to 171 back in July (30% reduction). Will have it re-tested in January, but dr is no longer pushing statins. (I also had a Calcium Score test done and no evidence of deposits).

    HTH
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
    edited November 2019
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    jhanleybrown wrote: »
    whmscll wrote: »
    Do you track your fiber on MFP? Do you get 30 grams a day? If not, adding fiber to your diet through foods and supplements is a good idea if your goal is to improve overall health. Fiber reduces risk of some cancers as well as helping lower cholesterol (although you should also be watching your saturated fat intake for that) and helping you feel full longer.

    I get a reasonable amount of fiber (avocados, nuts, berries, whole grains...etc) . But am still below daily recommended amount. And have read a lot that a diet high in soluble fiber helps cholesterol. Hence supplementing with Psyllium tablets. I've done it for about 4 days. Doesn't appear to have visible side effects. I'm going to stick with it and then see how bloodwork goes at next checkup. Doing this in conjunction with losing 20 lbs (and plenty of exercise). I've been told by MD that I might in the near future have to consider statins. The main reason he's kept me off them is because my good cholesterol is really high (probably due to olive oil and avocados...). I really don't want to go into them so losing 20 lbs, cutting red meat and upping fiber, then will see how it comes back. Already exercised a lot although have increased intensity with weight loss/health reset effort.

    I may report back post check up.

    I’m in the same situation, although my doc has not yet mentioned statins. It’s discouraging because I’ve already lost 17 pounds (I’m 123 lbs at 5’4”), cut waaaay back on red meat, cheese, and alcohol, eat at least 30 grams of fiber a day (not just for cholesterol though), and get a good amount of exercise. I’m putting more meatless dinners into my meal planning (i.e.less chicken) cutting out whole milk yogurt, drastically reducing eggs and margarine (full of tropical oils), adding ground flaxseed, eating more nuts and avo, and getting AT LEAST 20-30 minutes of exercise 6 days a week. I hope that helps. Otherwise it may be genetic for me and the statins may be unavoidable. ☹️

  • JaxxieKat
    JaxxieKat Posts: 427 Member
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    Psyllium caused me to have water retention and diarrhea in the same day. Go figure.

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