- Dr. Wendy Lebret is a gastroenterologist who takes psyllium husk every morning.
- She says it helps with constipation, acid reflux, and other ailments.
- The only downside is its unappealing sticky texture.
When Dr. Wendy Lebret became constipated after trying the keto diet in 2020, she turned to centuries-old supplements. plantain shell.
Psyllium husk is mainly water soluble dietary fiber It can relieve constipation and reduce diarrhea. This supplement, common in South Asian households, is becoming popular in the United States due to its health benefits. These include its ability to act as a binding agent in gluten-free baked goods and reportedly aid in weight loss. new york times.
For Lebret, psyllium worked like magic. “It really helped me manage my own constipation symptoms,” LeBrette said.
Now, consuming psyllium husk is “part of my morning routine,” LeBrette told Insider. “I take this first before I eat anything else, before I drink coffee,” she said.
LeBrette works as a gastroenterologist and also runs a TikTok account @socalgastrodoc, where she educates her followers about digestive health. Plantain husk has become one of her first recommendations for both patients and followers who suffer from constipation.
Like many Americans, LeBrette struggled to get enough fiber.
Like many Americans, statistics show that about 93% American Academy of Nutrition — LeBrette wasn’t getting enough fiber in her diet and was constipated.
Luckily, the nutritionist she was working with at the time recommended psyllium husk to her.
“The more I learned about it and researched it, the more I found it to be very beneficial,” Lebret said.
According to Lebret, psyllium husk not only helps with gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, but increasing your fiber intake (including psyllium) can also help with other health problems, such as: It may be helpful. acid reflux, Managing type 2 diabetes and lower cholesterol.
Now, Lebret says, if you don’t take it for even a few days, “you can definitely notice a difference.”
Don’t be surprised by the sticky consistency, she says
One of the biggest hurdles encountered when trying psyllium for the first time is the stability of the supplement, Lebret said.
Psyllium husk forms a gelatinous paste when mixed with water, and swallowing this sticky mixture can be unpleasant.
“I think it took me a long time to get used to the consistency,” Lebret recalls. But now she’s used to it. She drinks unsweetened coarse psyllium fiber mixed with water every morning.
Lebret says patients who struggle with consistency can also opt for capsules or a product like Bellway, which mixes psyllium and stevia-based sweetened fruit to make it more palatable.
If you want to try plantain husk, start slowly
For patients who want to try psyllium husk, Lebret recommends starting slowly (just one teaspoon a day) and increasing the amount little by little. Like other forms of fiber, consuming too much too soon can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas.
Lebret also recommends continuing. Try taking it consistently for a few weeks and see how you feel. That said, “don’t force yourself to take it if it doesn’t work,” LeBrette said. “There are other good sources of fiber.” Her other recommendations for constipation are fruits such as kiwi, mango, and dragon fruit.
Finally, LeBrette said that while it may help with weight loss, it’s not as effective as actual weight loss drugs like Wigoby. However, she considers it to be a useful supplement that “has many health benefits beyond the gastrointestinal tract.”
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