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Psyllium Seed (not Psyllium Husk)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/31/2017 6:26 PM (GMT -5)
Has anyone tried using psyllium seed (not psyllium husk) fiber supplements? If it helped you, what time of the day is best to take it? Morning before meals? Nighttime after dinner? Other? Thanks!!

I understand that the seed is fully soluble which might be better for UC patients because it forms a gel around the waste and makes the bowel movement process much better whereas the husk is insoluble which causes more frequent bowel movements which is, at least for me, definitely not a good thing.
Posted 7/31/2017 8:00 PM (GMT -5)
here's a start >

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2358195
Posted 8/1/2017 6:34 AM (GMT -5)

pmitra0123 said...
I understand that the seed is fully soluble which might be better for UC patients because it forms a gel around the waste and makes the bowel movement process much better whereas the husk is insoluble which causes more frequent bowel movements which is, at least for me, definitely not a good thing.

Hmmm......so for a person like me who has chronic constipation (no D) I guess the husk would be the better option? I didn't know there was a difference. I guess I need to do more research.....
Posted 8/1/2017 1:46 PM (GMT -5)
Any soluble fiber is helpful but I find psyllium seed to be superior, probably because it stimulates butyrate.

Here is a link that should answer all your questions
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2152224
Posted 8/1/2017 3:18 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the link, IAC.

I went ahead and ordered the seed powder due to it containing a higher amount of fermentable fiber. I have been using different resistant starches, mostly raw potato starch and green bananas. This will give the bugs some variety, lol.
Posted 8/1/2017 7:14 PM (GMT -5)
MarjieKay which one did you end up ordering? It seems that there are two that people are talking about Starwood and Frontier. I would ideally want one that is verified to be just the seeds and fully soluble.
Posted 8/2/2017 8:59 AM (GMT -5)

pmitra0123 said...
MarjieKay which one did you end up ordering? It seems that there are two that people are talking about Starwood and Frontier. I would ideally want one that is verified to be just the seeds and fully soluble.

I went with this one and got it on Amazon.com ($13.79) :

Starwest Botanicals Organic Psyllium Seed Powder, 1 Pound

There are some good questions asked and answered on that, too. I saw someone say this caused diarrhea for them and another say it prevented constipation (my current concern).....as always, it's a crapshoot, but for that low price I'll try it.

If I am going to add lots of extra gut bugs......I may as well feed them with extra care, I guess?
Posted 8/2/2017 9:06 AM (GMT -5)
Here's my favorite review for it :

"Helps you to Go with more Flow! Shortened "wait time" in the out house (yup dat's true) especially in Winter is appreciated! I am a bona fide Geezer....& this aids the slowing system nicely!".

Lol.....he must live up North, too ;-)
Posted 8/2/2017 9:51 AM (GMT -5)
Fiber supplements sometimes help me, sometimes do nothing, and other times cause a lot of discomfort. It really depends if you are at a point where a little extra bulking and formation of your stool would be beneficial to you and might reduce bathroom trips a bit, and make them a little less urgent. Bulking alone just means more total volume, if you are okay elsewhere and that's when it's useless. High fiber intake when flaring badly is just an awful uncomfortable situation to be in; ouch! Seems most beneficial when simmering inflammation is present, and you have some mild symptoms and nothing major going on. I have some that gets occasional use, and other times just collects dust within my pantry lol.
Posted 8/2/2017 12:38 PM (GMT -5)
Psyllium husk is both soluble and insoluble. For those with diarrhea, it will absorb liquid in the colon and help firm up stools.

There are different kinds of insoluble fibre composition...a sponge is insoluble, wood is insoluble but absorbs liquid. Pounded into a powder is different than large pieces. Insoluble fibre such as apple, broccoli, carrots, salad, etc takes up room so that stools don't get compacted. If chewed to a pulp, it will absorb more water, take up room to prevent compaction and fluff stools. Fluffier stools will take up more room than conpacted.

Psyllium husk and seed help produce butyrate.

One is not better than the other....but statements such as one is more than the other leads to misunderstanding, repeated untruths and belief in something that still isn't true.

Fibre exercises the digestive tract....all will encourage more action. In saying that it can help lessen spasming and frequency by evening out the peristalsis.

Just a few thoughts....fibres and types and how they are used takes trial and more trial and fine tuning to individualise it for personalised use. Try it with meals....try it between meals. It will create different results.

q
Posted 8/2/2017 1:19 PM (GMT -5)
@quincy......WOW !

Have you ever thought of compiling all of these useful tidbits into an ebook? I think it'd be something every newly diagnosed person would be glad to toss in their Amazon cart wink
Posted 8/2/2017 10:53 PM (GMT -5)
Haha...uh, no, it's common sense, and needs to be brought up once in a while when half truths are flogged.

q
Posted 8/3/2017 7:06 AM (GMT -5)

quincy said...
Haha...uh, no, it's common sense

Hmmm......sense isn't ALWAYS common smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/3/2017 12:28 PM (GMT -5)
No...only what's popular, and you know that online works that way until it becomes the only truth. Like the emperors new clothes...

q
Posted 8/3/2017 3:46 PM (GMT -5)
Yes.....I have seen that. Actually, I have been a victim of many of these reflecting schemes.....one site will quote the other and all of a sudden.......I don't have UC after all .....but instead I am loaded with parasites.

I am really embarrassed to admit that I fell for that and actually took something in to be tested that I was SURE was a worm. It came back that it was a vegetable fiber. That's when I realized how nutty I was getting in an attempt to disprove my diagnosis.

Even so, there ARE some good things to be found and educated about ....one just needs to be very careful while evaluating information.
Posted 8/3/2017 11:36 PM (GMT -5)
Balance.

q
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