Study on irritable bowel syndrome
Patient group 1: 10 g psyllium 2 times daily
Patient group 2: bran
Placebo group: rice flour
Reduces discomfort:
Psyllium group by 90%
Bran group by 58%.
Study period 12 weeks Source: 1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht
http://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b3154
Why do psyllium husks help against irritable bowel syndrome?
Psyllium husks and psyllium seeds are officially recognized as natural medicinal products. The husks are somewhat more effective than the seeds because the active ingredients are concentrated in the outer part. Their medicinal effect is due to their ability to swell upon contact with liquids. This is due to certain ingredients: mucilage formed by arabinoxylans and galacturonosidorhamnoses. These represent a form of dietary fiber. Irritable bowel syndrome is usually characterized by regular diarrhea. As a result, the body is unable to utilize all the nutrients from the food consumed.
In cases of severe diarrhea, this can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the long term. Psyllium husks swell to several times their size. This allows them to thicken the intestinal contents. The chyme stays in the intestines longer, allowing for better absorption of nutrients. Psyllium is also low in calories, which means it can be incorporated into your diet without any disadvantages.
However, it is important to simultaneously increase fluid intake, which should not consist of milk. Unlike water, milk does not swell. The dosage depends on the individual symptoms.
Causes of irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a dysfunction of the intestines. It affects about twice as many women as men. Typically, no physical cause can be identified for the symptoms. While the cause was previously attributed to a purely psychological component, further research has now revealed that it involves a complex interplay of several factors. Those affected regularly suffer from bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. The symptoms are often accompanied by changes in bowel movements. These can include variations in frequency and consistency.
The exact cause of these symptoms has not yet been fully researched. However, doctors assume that the intestines of those affected are particularly sensitive. The intestine can be divided into several sections, beginning with the duodenum and ending with the rectum. Ingested food passes through these differentiated sections step by step before the actual bowel movement occurs. For the food to move from one section to the next after its completion, further transport is crucial. This is disrupted in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Patients experience the accumulation of air in the form of flatulence and pain more quickly than average.
Other factors include infections, which can lead to the development of irritable bowel syndrome. However, specific emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, grief, or nervousness are more common. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a mental illness, however. Instead, experts believe it is an interaction of various factors.
constipation
Due to the swelling of the mucous substances, the stool volume and filling pressure on the intestinal wall increases.
Intestinal peristalsis is stimulated, stool is transported more quickly and the bowel emptying reflex is triggered
without the need for strenuous pushing.
Source: Effect of dietary fiber on constipation: a meta analysis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23326148
Diarrhea
The swelling agents bind water in the intestine - effective thickening of the intestinal contents
The mucus has a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa and binds the bacterial toxins often produced during diarrhea.
www.heilpflanzen-suchmaschine.de/flohsamen/flohsamen.shtml KREFT, D.: Psyllium - soluble fiber for the treatment of chronic constipation. In: Ernährungs-Umschau 48 (12), pp. 482-489, 2001. TRAUTWEIN, EA et al.: Psyllium - a soluble fiber with cholesterol-lowering effects. In: Ernährungs-Umschau 44 (6), pp. 214-218, 1997. WISKER, E.: Functional effects of indigestible carbohydrates: viscose, fiber, and resistant starch. In: Ernährung/Nutrition 7/8, pp. 298-302, 2000.
How can psyllium help with diarrhea and constipation?
The main reason for its effectiveness in treating diarrhea is the swelling properties of psyllium husks. These naturally regulate intestinal function. Any toxins produced by bacteria can also be bound, preventing further tissue damage. At the same time, the risk of possible deficiencies due to impaired nutrient absorption is reduced. Constipation often occurs due to a sluggish bowel. Psyllium husks can stimulate intestinal movement. The mucilage and fiber swell in the intestine, causing the organ to expand. This filling ensures that the intestine receives certain signals, to which it responds with bowel movements. This also stimulates bowel movements. At the same time, the mucilage in psyllium husks makes bowel movements more slippery. The positive effect on constipation is therefore based on the fact that psyllium husks promote intestinal movement, increase volume, and make food residues more slippery.
This is how constipation and diarrhea occur
Diarrhea is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. Medical definitions state that loose stools must occur at least three times a day to be considered diarrhea. This can be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain. A distinction is made between acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea. Acute forms are often caused by various bacteria and other pathogens, such as rotaviruses and noroviruses.
While infections can also be a possible cause of a chronic course, these are more commonly due to intolerances, inflammatory bowel disease, impaired digestion, pancreatic cancer, or sexually transmitted infections of the rectum. Constipation, on the other hand, often results from a slowing of the colon. This sluggish movement means it takes a long time to transport stool to the rectum. At the same time, more food is added. This causes a blockage, and at the same time, the long residence time leads to more water being extracted from the stool. Another potential cause is an obstruction of the rectum.