Psyllium is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative in products such as Metamucil.
Sure, fiber supplements are a convenient way to increase your daily fiber intake. But what you may not have realized is that not all fibers are the same. Metamucil® is the only leading fiber supplement brand with 100% natural psyllium fiber — and that makes all the difference. Psyllium husk, a natural dietary fiber originating from plantago ovata, has been the source of both soluble and insoluble fiber in Metamucil for 80 years. Studies suggest that the psyllium in Metamucil works differently. The psyllium fiber in Metamucil forms a viscous gel that traps some bile acids (made from cholesterol) and gently removes them from your body. This gel also traps some carbohydrates and sugars, allowing them to be more slowly absorbed by the body.  Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the Plantago ovata plant, specifically from the husks of the plant’s seed. It sometimes goes by the name ispaghula. It’s most commonly known as a laxative. Psyllium provides more benefits to your body than decreasing the amount of time you spend in the bathroom. Numerous studies have shown that fiber like psyllium, as part of a healthy diet, can help lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Psyllium can affect your heart by lowering blood pressure, improving lipid levels, and strengthening heart muscle. The soluble fiber found in psyllium husks can help lower cholesterol. Psyllium can help relieve both constipation and diarrhea, and is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and other intestinal problems. Psyllium has also been used to help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Overview. Psyllium is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative in products such as Metamucil. It comes from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata that grows worldwide but is most common in India. Each plant can produce up to 15,000 tiny, gel-coated seeds, from which psyllium husk is derived The generic name for this fiber is psyllium. The fiber absorbs liquid in the intestines and swells and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass. The active ingredients are the seed husks of the psyllium plant. The Metamucil brand has been in existence since 1934. It was owned by G. D. Searle & Company until 1985 when Proctor & Gamble bought the brand. Psyllium seed husk are indigestible and are a source of soluble dietary fiber. They are used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea. They are also used as a regular dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI transit. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Psyllium seed husks, also known as ispaghula, isabgol, or psyllium, are portions of the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, (genus Plantago), a native of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. They are hygroscopic, which allows them to expand and become mucilaginous. Soluble fibers -- such as those in psyllium husk, guar gum, flax seed, and oat bran -- can help lower cholesterol when added to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Studies have shown psyllium can lower total, as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Overview. Psyllium is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative in products such as Metamucil. It comes from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata that grows worldwide but is most common in India. Each plant can produce up to 15,000 tiny, gel-coated seeds, from which psyllium husk is derived Psyllium fiber comes from the outer coating, or husk of the psyllium plant's seeds. It is not wheat, and is therefore gluten free. The psyllium husk is a natural source of soluble fiber, similar to fiber found in grains such as oats and barley. *The amount of soluble fiber in psyllium is nearly 5X higher than that of oat bran. 100 grams of psyllium = 50 grams of soluble fiber. 100 grams of oat bran = 5 grams of soluble fiber. A bulk forming laxative, psyllium fiber is frequently used to treat constipation. It absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass. Psyllium seed husks, also known as ispaghula, isabgol, or psyllium, are portions of the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, (genus Plantago), a native of India and Pakistan. Psyllium is used in weight control and for general intestinal health. 
http://www.metawellness.com/en-us/articles/metamucil/psyllium-fiber-in-metamucil http://www.healthline.com/health/psyllium-health-benefits http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/psyllium http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/psyllium https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyllium_seed_husks http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/psyllium http://www.konsyl.com/what-is-psyllium-s/1833.htm http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-psyllium-husk.html
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