Does Psyllium Husk Break A Fast?

One of the most important aspects for maintaining good health relies in taking care of your digestive health.

Diet is of course is critical to this and fortunately there are many supplements you can add to your diet to maximum – however you’re no doubt here because you’ve adopted or at least considered intermittent fasting.

Now one great addition to your supplement stack is  Psyllium – it has great health giving properties. But if you’re on fast you may be wondering

Psyllium husk offers a great alternative by limiting constipation and improving your overall digestive health.  Psyllium husk improves your gut health, which is important in fighting infections, reducing inflammation, which maintains your health.

Psyllium husk is an important additive you should incorporate with your daily diet intake.

What is Psyllium Husk?

Psyllium husk is created from from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds.

The seeds of this plant contain high sources of fiber, which is very helpful in maintaining and improving digestive health.  Psyllium husk is commonly used as a baking thickener because it binds well with water.

Because Psyllium husk binds well with water it is the main active ingredient for stool softeners.

You can find Psyllium husk ingredient in your over the counter stool softeners at any local pharmacy or drug store.  Psyllium is most commonly used to treat constipation, bloating, and gassiness.

Taking Psyllium is helpful during a fast because your digestive system performs more slowly, which can cause stress.

Taking small amounts of Psyllium prevents your body from reacting negatively to the fasting state and maintains solid stools and lessens gassiness.

You can use Psyllium husk to aid your body during a fast because it provides essential nutrients due to its fiber content, which is essential in maintaining the functions of your system.

Psyllium husk is not difficult for your body to digest; which is helpful while your body is in a compromised state.

Psyllium is also available in tablets, capsules.  You can find Psyllium husk in many of your local grocery and health food stores.  You can also find the Psyllium ingredient in many over the counter laxative medications, which include:

• Metamucil
• Cilium
• Maalox Daily Fiber Therapy
• Uni-Laxative

If you choose to take over the counter medications you need to closely monitor the quantity and frequency of taking these medications.  You could become dehydrated if you take too much because the Psyllium works by soaking up your excess liquids in your lower intestines.

Too much absorption of your liquids can leave you severely dehydrated.  Keeping a close watch of your physical health is crucial when beginning to regularly take this substance.

Yes, there are some side effects to Psyllium husk when you take a large amount. A large amount is anything greater than 15 grams per day. The minor side effects you can have by regularly using Psyllium husk include:

• Stomach pain or cramps
• Diarrhea
• Bloating or Gassiness
• Loose stool
• Nausea and vomiting

These side effects are common but do not pose any immediate health risks.  An allergic reaction to Psyllium includes more severe side effects that include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Itching
• Vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Face or throat swelling

What Are The Health Changes of Psyllium Husk?

Psyllium husk is a relatively safe substance when you use moderate amounts.  When you take more than the recommended dosage is when you run into possible health consequences.

Some health consequences that should be monitored closely are dehydration, choking, and allergic reactions.

 

Psyllium husk helps control your blood sugar because it slows down the breakdown of food and the release of sugar into your bloodstream.

Because the breakdown of food is slower you will feel fuller longer and have a reduced appetite. Eating less food, decreasing blood sugar because of the reduced amount of food consumed.

Psyllium husk can also improve your heart health because of the smaller food content you are consuming.

This automatically lowers your cholesterol levels due to the smaller quantities of food you are consuming, which reduces the likelihood you will have heart health risks.

Many adults struggle with stool health and consistency.  Irritable bowel syndrome is a common and uncomfortable health condition that reduces the functionality of your digestive system.

Taking Psyllium husk regularly after your meals helps absorb the liquids in your intestinal tract.

Your constipation and diarrhea symptoms will improve.

You can take 5 grams of Psyllium husk in tablet or powder form, with a glass of water after breakfast.  This fiber substance works best after eating.

To minimize any negative side effects of the Psyllium husk you should slowly introduce this substance to your diet in a small amount.

If your body accepts this substance with minimal discomfort you can slowly increase the dose over time.

Psyllium husk helps reduce excessive weight because the fiber substance slows down your digestion of food.

By having slower digestion of food, the sugars in your food take longer to reach your bloodstream. Having lower blood sugar levels decreases hunger and cravings.

Psyllium husk helps you feel full in your stomach because of the longer amount needed to digest your food.

Excessive weight typically occurs when your body no longer communicates when it is full.  Taking regular doses of Psyllium husk improves the communication of fullness from your stomach to your brain.

Using Psyllium husk regularly reduces the likelihood of you overeating by reducing your appetite and mindlessly eating.

Because your appetite is reduced you can no longer gorge yourself on excessive amounts of food. Psyllium husk helps this process by slowing the process of how your food is digested and absorbed through your intestines.

The dietary fiber found in Psyllium is similar to the fiber you eat in fruits and vegetables.

There are no sugars or fats found within a Psyllium husk, which makes it a great weight-loss tool.

You will not be taking in any additional calories, which helps improve weight loss.