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Psyllium: Prebiotic Effects to Improve Your Microbiome

Jan 05, 2021 Posted by: Michael Antonecchia Butyrate,  Constipation,  Microbiome,  Prebiotic,  Probiotic,  Psyllium Husk,  Soluble Fiber

Inside your gut lives a vast community of bacteria and fungi. This is known as your microbiome. These little critters (or microbiota) have a major influence on your metabolism, body weight, immune system, appetite and mood. 

We can have anywhere from 75 to 125 trillion bacteria residing in our gut! That’s 10x more than the number of human cells in the body. These microorganisms strengthen your digestive tract, produce vitamins (such as biotin and Vitamin K), regulate your metabolism, and attack foreign invaders that can cause disease.

The key to a healthy gut is to have microbiota diversity (many different types of bacteria), and to maintain a strong presence of ‘good’ bacteria, better known as probiotics. 

Is Psyllium Husk a Prebiotic? Yes.

Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a type of fiber that the human body cannot digest. In turn they serve as food for probiotics, hence creating a more positive environment in which your friendly bacteria can thrive. Intestinal bacteria ferment psyllium fibers producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that probiotics thrive on. Because it ferments more slowly than other fibers, psyllium does not increase gas and digestive discomfort. 

A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that psyllium had a significant effect in increasing levels of beneficial gut bacteria in both healthy and constipated subjects after only 7 days. Amongst this bacteria were several groups known for their ability to produce butyrate -- an incredibly important short-chain fatty acid that fuels your gut cells, manages your weight, keeps you disease-free, prevents cancer, and supports your brain health.

100% organic, non-GMO whole husk sylly is an excellent dietary supplement to nourish your microbiome.

Sources:

  1. The Effect of Psyllium Husk on Intestinal Microbiota in Constipated Patients and Healthy Controls
  2. Psyllium shifts the fermentation site of high-amylose cornstarch toward the distal colon and increases fecal butyrate concentration in rats
  3. Fiber Supplements Derived From Sugarcane Stem, Wheat Dextrin and Psyllium Husk Have Different In Vitro Effects on the Human Gut Microbiota