OVERVIEW
Psyllium comes from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata that is grown worldwide but is most commonly found in India. It is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative to relieve constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids and other intestinal problems. Psyllium also helps lower cholesterol levels and help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
When psyllium husks come in contact with water, it swells and forms a gelatin-like mass of fiber that helps transport waste through the intestinal tract. Several large population-based studies suggest that increased fiber intake may reduce the risk of colon cancer. The fiber from psyllium is 47 percent soluble and 53 percent insoluble, adding bulk to the stool and creating a healthy balance of bacteria in the colon and intestines when taken regularly as a dietary supplement.
