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Psyllium

Psyllium is a common source of soluble fiber derived from the husk of the plant Plantago ovata. Psyllium husk is derived from the seed or leaves of the Plantago ovata plant. Besides Plantago ovata, psyllium is also known as Ispaghula and Ispagol. Plantago ovata is an annual herb native to Asia, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa. Psyllium grows in sand and silty soils. The psyllium seed includes a husk portion that is a cleaned, dried seed coat of the psyllium seed. The husk portion is separated from the seed by winnowing and thrashing. Typically, the husk portion of the psyllium seed is ground into a powder to make the bulk laxative drug. The psyllium bulk laxative drug powder is then ingested by a consumer after the consumer stirs the powder into a glass of water. Psyllium seed husk is used in high fiber food products and/or health care products for its benefit of normalizing bowel function and laxation. In addition, recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of psyllium seed husk fiber in reducing human serum cholesterol levels, and in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetics. Psyllium seed husk containing products are currently widely used for normalizing bowel function and taxation. It has also been shown that psyllium seed husk is effective for reducing human serum cholesterol levels and in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetics. Psyllium seed husk has use as a fiber supplement and a bulk laxative drug because the psyllium seed husk has a capacity for substantial swelling when ingested. This swelling makes the psyllium husk a useful bulking agent. Ingestion of psyllium seed husk has been demonstrated to yield a number of benefits to the consumer, including Taxation, appetite suppression and cholesterol reduction. It has been documented that psyllium, which belongs to a class of gel forming soluble fibers, disrupts the absorption or metabolism of cholesterol by binding, entrapping, absorbing, or otherwise interfering with the reabsorption of bile acids across the intestinal lumen. The soluble fiber interferes with the intraluminal formation of micelies, resulting in decreased cholesterol and bile acid reabsorption. The end result is that more bile acids and dietary cholesterol are ultimately excreted in the feces, resulting in a decreased level of serum cholesterol.

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