Psyllium is the outer husk from the seed of the plant
15, 2018, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study pooled findings from 28 trials in people with normal and high cholesterol levels. It found that a daily dose of about 10 grams of psyllium husk lowered harmful LDL cholesterol 13 mg/dL when taken for at least three weeks.
The amount needed to lower cholesterol is 10 to 20 grams a day. Psyllium is generally taken three times a day, just before each meal, either in a capsule or as a powder that you mix with water or juice.
Many doctors recommend taking 7.5 grams of psyllium seeds or 5 grams of psyllium husks, mixed with water or juice, one to two times per day.
To promote heart health and help lower cholesterol,† take Metamucil fiber supplements as follows: For the Metamucil Sugar Free Powder and Premium blend, take one rounded teaspoon three times per day. For the Metamucil Real Sugar Powder, take one rounded tablespoon three times per day.
Metamucil 4-in-1 fiber is a powerful supplement designed to help support healthy cholesterol levels. With 7 grams of soluble psyllium fiber in every 12-gram serving, Metamucil helps you get the recommended daily intake and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
Capsules. It is recommended to take five capsules, up to four times per day (20 capsules per day), to achieve its cholesterol-lowering effects. Each serving will provide around 1.8g of soluble fiber.
Consuming psyllium husk in the morning can help to regulate the digestive system and prevent constipation throughout the day. Taking psyllium husk at night may be beneficial for those who want to promote regular bowel movements during the night.
As a bulk laxative supplement, 5 g with a glass of water 3 times per day is a common starting point. People can increase this gradually if they find it tolerable. It depends on the product how many grams are in 1 teaspoon or tablespoon, but 1 tablespoon is a common recommendation as a serving for psyllium husk.
Studies have shown psyllium can lower total, as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. In combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins, psyllium provides an added benefit to reducing cholesterol levels.
For example, a serving size for psyllium husk may read “two teaspoons (10 grams)”.
How long does psyllium husk take to work? It can take two to three days to see improvements in bowel activity. However, some people prefer this more gradual laxative action because it initiates a steadier improvement in constipation symptoms than stimulant laxatives.
Psyllium (Metamucil) is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. It helps your stool absorb and hold onto water. This makes your stool bigger and softer so it's easier to have a bowel movement.
The husks or hulls are what you need to help with constipation — which means that either the powder or the hulls are the most suitable options. The powder is simply the hulls ground more finely. Some people prefer the finer texture, but you can rest assured that both the powder and hulls will work equally well.
While psyllium husk powder is a great way to improve overall gut health, too large a dose at one time can clog up your bowels and worsen your symptoms. Choosing the correct dosage and drinking it with lots of water are key to prevent it from clumping in your gut and making you feel worse rather than better.
Taking smaller doses of psyllium, taking it an hour or two before or after meals, eating nutritious well-balanced meals, and supplementing with a multivitamin should resolve any absorption issues. Hydration is essential when supplementing with psyllium husk. Be sure to drink plenty of water.
The doses need to be individualized over time. It is important not to take too much at one time, however, as it will result in bloating, abdominal cramping and gas. It does not matter whether psyllium is taken with a meal or not.
Using psyllium husk
Usually you'll need to take it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. When you take your evening dose you'll need to make sure you wait an hour before you go to bed – if you go to sleep too soon, this can cause a blockage in the gut.
For example, a diet rich in soluble fiber, plant sterols, and vegetable protein sources, such as soy and nuts, reduced LDL cholesterol by an average of 28.6% in just 4 weeks. These effects continue over the long term.