Functional Benefits of Psyllium Fiber Supplementation

Commonly called Psyllium (Ispaghula Psyllium, Plantago ispaghula and Plantago ovata), has a long history of use as a dietary fiber supplement, primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative to promote the regulation of large bowel function, but it has as well a potential role in the treatment and prevention of bowel diseases such as diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, and could even play a protective role in the prevention of colon cancer. During the last decade, dietary supplementation with Psyllium has been shown to lower blood cholesterol level (especially LDL cholesterol) and to maintain blood glucose homeostasis, which together are the most effective preventive measures against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Much interest is being shown by the general public, the scientific community, and federal US regulators in the medical application of foods with specific health benefits (functional foods), foods that favorably modify physiologic function. There is also considerable interest in health claims by the industry to produce functional foods and to ensure efficacy of action. The intent of this review is to summarize the functional benefits of Psyllium fiber consumption and to explore the potential application this fiber has for first-line dietary prevention of these diseases and disorders.