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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 784-789 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | American Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
Volume | 72 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 2000 |
Keywords
- Colon function
- Constipation
- Dietary fiber
- Fermentation
- Laxation
- Plantago ovata
- Psyllium seed husk
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Food Science