Fiber Enriched Psyllium for Weight Loss

How to lose weight is a question that has been asked by many women for decades.

With our eat-and-run, massive-portion-sized culture, maintaining a healthy weight is tough – shedding off the extra pounds to keep fit and look good is even tougher.

There are many programs, fad diets and “quick-fix” plans on how to lose weight requiring drastic changes in your diets and extreme exercising to force the extra fats away.

The problem with these programs is that mostly don’t work – at least in the long term because it is very difficult to keep up with them.
 

What do you need to lose weight?

It is a general knowledge that the key to a successful and healthy weight loss is fiber.

The colon is the place where food collects as waste material after the nutrients needed by the body has been extracted and sent to the blood stream.

It has been estimated that when we regularly keep the colon clean we are ninety percent on the way to good health and fiber is one of the best natural herb for keeping the colon clean.

In addition, fiber also helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar level.

What is Psyllium Seed?

Among the commonly used fiber that is readily available in the market is Psyllium seed husk. It comes from the plant Plantago psyllium and Plantago ovata, which is commonly grown in Iran and India.

Psyllium husk is a complex carbohydrate, which forms a gel like substance containing mucilage that finds its way into foods to add fiber. It is not broken down as it passes through the digestive system so it does not provide any calories and has no other nutritional value besides being a source of fiber.

It comes in an odorless and tasteless powder form, so it can be added to foods to increase the fiber. By adding water to Psyllium fiber, it swells to ten times its original size giving you a feeling of fullness, which can be very helpful when you are trying to lose weight.

In addition to that, it not only helps you feel full, but it also acts as a natural colon cleanser removing old fecal matter and toxins helping you to have a proper bowel movement thus gaining the name “magical bulking agent”.

Furthermore, medical research has shown that this herb is beneficial for people with heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and irritable bowel syndrome. Most women have used this herb as an aid for weight loss by means of improving the bowel movement (purpose of fiber). This herb doesn’t have the capacity to burn fat, so it would be essential to accompany it with the proper exercises.

Simple Ways to Prepare the Herb for Medication

Fiber enriched Psyllium that comes in powder form can be used in varied ways. Psyllium powder can just be sprinkled on food, added on a smoothie, salad, pasta sauce or even your ice cream. For Psyllium that comes in pill form, it is best taken 30 minutes before meals to curb your appetite. It could also be taken before going to bed so feeling a need for a late night snack may be prevented. You may avail of this herb at local health store or online herb shops.

Psyllium Husk Cupcakes

• Prepare some pancake batter by whipping 6 eggs in a blender or with a whisk.
• stir in 2 tablespoons of powdered psyllium husks and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon (optional)
• Cook the pancakes as you usually do
• Take care to keep the batter stirred between batches

Psyllium Drink

• Stir Psyllium powder into a cup of water or juice and drink it as a tea
• add 1-2 tablespoons to a glass full of water or juice, whichever is preferred most
• In combination with water, psyllium is a gentle laxative.

Psyllium Pasta Sauce Additive

• Stir some psyllium into your pasta sauce
• A half a teaspoon of psyllium mixed with pasta sauce
• It mixes well with tomato sauce and reduces excess gas

Herb Precaution

Since psyllium husk is an absorbent fiber that draws out liquid from the intestines, psyllium powder should not be taken as is and be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep hydrated and avoid constipation. You should be aware of the side-effects of this herb to prevent misusage. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before taking this herb or you may visit mountain rose herbs for reviews.