Re: OK to use more psyllium for cleanse?

Although psyllium is sometimes referred to as a laxative...it is not a laxative in the true sense of the word. Psyllium is a soluble fiber...meaning that it absorbs water and swells. In the case of psyllium....if my memory serves me, I believe that it absorbs about 40% its weight in water! This is the primary danger of taking so much of it...it can potentially contribute to dehydration if you are consuming insufficient water...it will start pulling water from the body. This is one of the main reasons that people experience constipation when taking the p&b shakes or supplemental fiber. Psyllium husk is undigestable fiber...it passes through the digestive tract and provides a sweeping action that cleanses and also provides bulk that helps to build muscle tone....hence improving peristalsis. Cream of wheat and popcorn contain some fiber...but also contain digestible nutrients. The chaff of the wheat and the kernal hulls of the popcorn would be more like psyllium husks...so you can see that when you eat cream of wheat or popcorn you are not getting nearly as much fiber as you do when using psyllium.

You may be having greater success with the increased fiber because the sheer quantity of it is pushing things through your intestines...that is an enormous quantity of bulk for your digestive system. Pay very close attention to how your body continues to respond to it...and make absolutely certain that you drink plenty of water. Tweet