Fiber supplement, psyllium

Addition of bran from hard red and soft white wheat bran, psyllium fiber, and cellulose resulted in increased losses of calcium in feces in comparison to losses when no fiber supplements were used (P<0.05). Urinary calcium losses were not significantly affected however, calcium balances were lowered when these four fiber sources were added to the laboratory controlled diet (P < 0.05). 

Ganji, V., and Kies, C. V. (1994). Psyllium husk fiber supplementation to soybean and coconut oil diets of humans Effect on fat digestibility and faecal fatty acid excretion. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 48, 595-597. 

Hydrophilic substances such as calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon, Equalactin), methylceUulose (Citrucel), and various psyllium seed derivatives (Metamucil) are natural or synthetic fiber supplements that bind water and bile salts and may be useful in controlling diarrhea associated with the passing of excessively watery stools. 

There are two soluble fiber supplements that lower cholesterol. Metamucil (psyllium) has been shown to be quite effective, but many people dislike the gritty, thick consistency when it s... 

Feeding of psyllium fiber resulted in a significant Increase in percentage of water contained in feces during this project in comparison to values obtained when the laboratory controlled diet was fed without fiber supplementation or when other sources... 

Fecal fat loss (Goldfisch method) was also Increased when psyllium fiber was fed in comparison to losses when no fiber supplements were employed (Table I). However, these losses were no greater than when several of the other test fiber supplements were used. Loss of fat in feces may be considered either an advantage or a disadvantage depending upon whether problems of obesity and atherosclerosis are being considered or whether malabsorption syndromes are the topic in question. 

Fiber derived from psyllium seed has a long history of use as a pharmaceutical to produce laxatlon. It s high bulking properties are due to its high content of hemlcellulose. When incorporated into food products and fed to humans, it produces the desirable effects of increased stool bulk, decreased fecal transit time, and decreased blood serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, concurrently psyllium fiber supplementation results in some depression in aljsorption of selected minerals, fat and protein. This was also true of some but not all of the other fiber sources tested. 

Fiber supplements vary in the types of fiber that they contain. Psyllium, a naturally occurring soluble fiber, has been studied extensively, and research suggests a benefit in terms of constipation prevention, cholesterol reduction, blood sugar control, and weight loss, particularly when combined with a healthy diet. It also seems to help those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common condition associated with bowel irregularity, bloating, and abdominal pain. 

Increased intake of soluble fiber in the form of oat bran, pectins, certain gums, and psyllium products can result in useful adjunctive reductions in total and LDL cholesterol (5% to 20%), but these dietary alterations or supplements should not be substituted for more active forms of treatment. They have little or no effect on HDL-C or triglyceride concentrations. These products may also be useful in managing constipation associated with the bile acid resins (BARs). 

Psyllium is an excellent dietary source for both soluble and insoluble fibers and has been used in supplemental and food products for its beneficial health effects. The strong water-absorbing and gelling capacities have made it a great challenge to incorporate psyllium in foods at the level needed to claim health benefits on the label. This review is focused on the approaches to improve the functionality. 

As shown on Table III, the subjects fed 20 g of hemicellulose from purified psyllium fiber excreted significantly more manganese in the feces than when they were fed bread without the hemicellulose supplement. Unlike wheat bran, purified psyllium fiber (sold commercially as a bulk laxative) contains no manganese or phytates hence, any change in fecal manganese excretion when psyllium fiber is added to human diets can probably be credited to the mixture of hemicellulose comprising this product. 

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