psyllium husks

Discussions on the details of treatment programs using either diet, medications, or a combination of the two, can take place here.

Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

Post Reply
MWild
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2024 7:10 am

psyllium husks

Post by MWild »

I have been using psyllium husks for a while now (2 heaping T twice a day) and find it helpful. My question is - is this just a bandaid or is it helping with the healing process?
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35065
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Re: psyllium husks

Post by tex »

Unfortunately, published research shows that fiber causes intestinal inflammation, and therefore compromises the healing process for IBD patients. It gives the appearance that it might be helping simply by thickening the stool, but it definitely does not benefit the healing process. For a few patients, who have constipation predominant microscopic colitis, it can be helpful. But for those of us who have diarrhea predominant MC, it tends to slow, and may even prevent healing.

The Microscopic Colitis Foundation recently published a newsletter discussing the fiber issue with IBDs. In case you haven't seen it, here's a direct link where you can either read, or download a copy of the newsletter:

https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundatio ... e_2024.pdf

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
MWild
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2024 7:10 am

Re: psyllium husks

Post by MWild »

So confusing. it seems like something that is helping shouldn't be hurting. This article suggests that psyllium husk decreases inflammation when taken in the optimum amount. Thanks as always for what you do.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl ... 6b_KuBcDaA
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35065
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Re: psyllium husks

Post by tex »

Medical research is constantly contradicting itself with new data, so we have to go with what seems to work best. It is true that psyllium husks are probably one of the least inflammatory types of fiber, so the jury may still be out on their status for IBD patients.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Post Reply

Return to “Discussions on Treatment Options Using Diet, and/or Medications”