How to Supplement Psyllium Shells

Powdered psyllium husks or wafers are a source of soluble fiber that helps treat common digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome. The psyllium pods absorb water as it passes through the intestinal tract, causing the stool to form mass. Some studies suggest that psyllium husks also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high cholesterol by increasing the amount of fiber in the diet. ^{[1] X Research Source} Here are instructions on how to supplement with psyllium husks:

Table of Contents

Choose psyllium husk products

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Understand the uses of psyllium seed pods. Psyllium husks are a source of soluble fiber commonly used to treat constipation and restore regular bowel movements. The psyllium pods work by absorbing water in the intestinal tract and combining it with water to form solid stools. This process stimulates the digestive system and helps speed up the movement of stool. Therefore, psyllium husk is also known as a laxative that helps to form solid stools. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Psyllium husks are also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. The pain and digestive problems caused by these diseases can be improved by incorporating psyllium husks into the daily diet.

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Consult your doctor before purchasing psyllium husk products. Your doctor may advise you not to take psyllium husk products if you are taking medication that contains a medical condition. Psyllium husks may reduce the absorption of drugs into the digestive system.

If it’s okay for you to take psyllium husks with your medication, your doctor may recommend taking them at least 2 hours before or after taking other medications. This helps reduce the risk of psyllium husks affecting drug absorption. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Choose the psyllium husk product that suits your needs. You can buy psyllium husks in powder or wafer form. Pure psyllium husk powder with a sawdust-like texture is less popular. Therefore, psyllium husks are also available in other forms with a more pleasant taste and easier to dissolve. The advantage of these products is that the taste and texture are better than pure psyllium husks.

Psyllium husk products like Metamucil are also known as Blond Psyllium and often contain sugar and other additives. You can buy flavored Metamucil powder to mix with water or buy psyllium pods. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging when adding psyllium husks. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
If desired, you can purchase 100% psyllium husk powder at a health food or nutrition store. 100% psyllium husk powder does not contain added flavors or sugars, so it is best mixed with water or fruit juice. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Add psyllium husks

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Read the instructions for use carefully before adding psyllium husk powder. Some products should not be used if you are on medication or have a chronic medical condition. Besides, the dosage used for each product will be different. Most psyllium husk products can be supplemented 1-3 times per day.

Your doctor may recommend a higher dose to treat severe constipation or diarrhea, or if you take the product to treat other problems.

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Incorporate psyllium husks into your diet slowly. Incorporate fiber into your diet gradually to reduce discomfort, bloating, and gas. The first time, you should only take about half a teaspoon of psyllium pods and increase by half a teaspoon every few days until the recommended dose is reached.

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Mix psyllium husk powder with 240 ml of water or fruit juice. Stir for about 10 seconds. Add more water if it feels too thick. Do not leave the mixture in place after stirring to avoid gel formation that makes it difficult to swallow. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Drink the mixture immediately. The psyllium pods will thicken and have a gel-like texture after a short time. Drinking psyllium husks that are nearly thickened can cause you to choke. Therefore, it is necessary to mix the powder with enough water and drink it immediately after stirring to avoid potential danger. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If the psyllium husk mixture has a gel-like texture, you should discard it and make a fresh mixture.

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Increase dosage to 2 teaspoons with 240 ml of water after 1-2 weeks. If taking multiple doses per day, separate times should be taken between doses. For example, take one dose of psyllium husk in the morning, one dose at noon, and one dose in the afternoon.

Keep in mind that your doctor may recommend a higher dose to treat severe constipation or diarrhea. Do not increase the dose on your own without the consent of your doctor.
To treat high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe 10-12 g of psyllium husk. This dose is equivalent to 2-3 spoons, divided into several small doses and mixed with 240-480 ml of water to drink throughout the day. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
If you suspect that you have taken an overdose of psyllium pods, you should immediately seek medical attention. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Eat psyllium shell sponge cake if you can’t swallow the liquid psyllium shell. If you don’t like the taste of liquid psyllium shells, you can eat sponge cake. Take a bite of the sponge cake and chew it thoroughly. It is recommended to drink more water or fruit juice when eating sponge cake to ensure that the psyllium shell can form a mass when reaching the stomach. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Take psyllium capsules if using the powder or sponge product makes you uncomfortable or nauseous. Read the instructions for use carefully to know how many capsules each dose is and how many doses should be taken per day. Psyllium capsules should be taken with plenty of water. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Be patient when using psyllium pods to treat constipation. It may take about 3 days for symptoms to improve. The stools will be softer and the bowel movements will be more frequent. If recommended by your doctor, you should use psyllium husks exactly as directed.

Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3-5 days. Do not use psyllium husk products for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3-5 days. Do not use psyllium husk products for more than 7 days without consulting your doctor. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Drink lots of water . The Institute of Medicine (USA) recommends that men drink 3 liters of water, women should drink 2.2 liters of water AND fluids per day. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Increase fiber in your diet . Fruits such as pears, berries, plums and apples are all rich in fiber. Also, you can get fiber from beans, sweet potatoes, spinach (spinach) and whole grains.
Avoid consuming processed, high-sugar, greasy foods . Examples are white bread, donuts, hot dogs, french fries, fast food and many other foods. ^{[15] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}
Go to the bathroom as soon as you need to . Withholding bowel movements can make constipation worse. The stool will be harder and if you hold it in, your body won’t be ready for the next bowel movement.
Exercise every day . Exercise helps stimulate the digestive tract, which in turn helps the body process food.

Know when to see a doctor

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See your doctor if your constipation doesn’t improve after a few days. If you’ve been constipated for more than a week, you should see your doctor right away. Also, seek medical attention if there is a sudden change in bowel movements, such as bloody stools or bleeding from the rectum. These symptoms could be signs of a serious problem that requires medical treatment. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Advice

Try a variety of psyllium husk products. Some types of psyllium husk powder have no unpleasant taste and dissolve easily, so they can be added to soups, ice cream and yogurt.

Warning

Do not allow young children to use psyllium husk products. Children need to get fiber through a healthy diet.
Do not use psyllium husk products to replace dietary fiber. Natural sources of dietary fiber include oats, lentils, apples, oranges, oat bran, pears, strawberries, nuts, flaxseeds, beans, blueberries, cucumbers, celery and carrots . ^{[20] X Research Source}

Things you need

psyllium husk powder
Psyllium shell sponge cake
psyllium capsule
Filtered water/fruit juice
Spoon

Steps