An unfermented gel component of psyllium seed husk promotes laxation as a lubricant in humans.
Am J Clin Nutr
; 72(3): 784-9, 2000 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10966900
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In addition to increasing stool weight, supplements of psyllium seed husk produce stools that are slick and gelatinous.OBJECTIVE:
Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that a gel-forming fraction of psyllium escapes microbial fermentation and is responsible for the characteristics that enhance laxation.DESIGN:
Fifteen healthy adults consumed controlled diets for two 7-d periods, one of which included 8.8 g dietary fiber provided by 15 g/d of a psyllium seed husk preparation. All stools were collected and evaluated and diet was monitored throughout.RESULTS:
Psyllium significantly increased the apparent viscosity of an aqueous stool extract, stool moisture, and wet and dry stool weights. A very viscous fraction, not present in low-fiber stool and containing predominantly 2 sugars that are also found in abundance in psyllium husk, was isolated from psyllium stool.CONCLUSIONS:
In contrast with other viscous fibers that are fermented completely in the colon, a component of psyllium is not fermented. This gel provided lubrication that facilitated propulsion of colon contents and produced a stool that was bulkier and more moist than were stools resulting with use of comparable amounts of other bowel-regulating fiber sources.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Psyllium
/
Cathartics
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Clin Nutr
Year:
2000
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States