Psyllium Husk
Other ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Soluble fiber supplement for digestive regularity and cholesterol reduction.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Psyllium Husk is an other most often used for digestive regularity, cholesterol reduction, blood sugar control. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong. A typical adult dose is 5-10 g daily, commonly taken as whole husk or powder (mix in water, drink immediately). This profile indexes 18 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: digestive regularity, cholesterol reduction, blood sugar control. 18 sources indexed (2000–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Forms a viscous gel in the GI tract that slows glucose absorption, binds bile acids (lowering cholesterol), increases stool bulk, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria as a prebiotic.4
Dosing & protocol.
Take with large glass of water; separate from medications by 2 hours1,11
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Whole Husk / Psyllium Powder.
Assumes 5-10 g/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, BulkSupplements-style bulk powder, and Amazon marketplace; capsules are much more expensive per gram. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Psyllium itself is the food-derived fiber; other fibers are not identical for viscosity.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
14- 1Psyllium supplementation and lipid profiles: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDGholami Z, Paknahad Z · Genes & nutrition · 2025
Gholami Z, Paknahad Z. Psyllium supplementation and lipid profiles: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Genes & nutrition. 2025
- 2The effect of psyllium on fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, HOMA IR, and insulin control: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDGhalandari H et al. · BMC Endocrine Disorders · 2024
In 19 RCTs (962 participants), psyllium significantly decreased FBS, HbA1c, and HOMA IR levels but not insulin levels vs placebo.
- 3The effect of psyllium consumption on blood pressure: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDGholami Z, Paknahad Z · Food science & nutrition · 2024
Gholami Z, Paknahad Z. The effect of psyllium consumption on blood pressure: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food science & nutrition. 2024
- 4Psyllium is a natural nonfermented gel-forming fiber that is effective for weight loss: A comprehensive review and meta-analysisPMCMcRorie JW et al. · Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners · 2023
Psyllium's viscous gel-forming properties slow glucose absorption, bind bile acids to lower cholesterol, and increase stool bulk.
- 5The Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Chronic Constipation in Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPMIDGill SK et al. · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2022
In 16 RCTs with 1251 participants, 66% responded to fiber treatment vs 41% controls; psyllium at >10 g/day for at least 4 weeks was optimal.
- 6The effect of psyllium supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMCKhan K et al. · Journal of Hypertension · 2020
Psyllium supplementation produced significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- 7Effect of psyllium (Plantago ovata) fiber on LDL cholesterol and alternative lipid targets, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDJovanovski E et al. · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2018
10.2 g psyllium/day lowered total cholesterol by 4%, LDL cholesterol by 7%, and apoB:apoA-I ratio by 6% relative to placebo.
- 8Meta-Analysis of Usefulness of Psyllium Fiber as Adjuvant Antilipid Therapy to Enhance Cholesterol Lowering Efficacy of StatinsPMIDBrum J, Ramsey D, McRorie J et al. · The American journal of cardiology · 2018
Brum J, Ramsey D, McRorie J et al.. Meta-Analysis of Usefulness of Psyllium Fiber as Adjuvant Antilipid Therapy to Enhance Cholesterol Lowering Efficacy of Statins. The American journal of cardiology. 2018
- 9Health benefits of psyllium: a systematic review and meta-analysisSource linkedPMIDJovanovski E, Yashpal S, Engeling A et al. · Am J Med · 2018
- 10Psyllium for the treatment of constipation and irritable bowel syndromeSource linkedPMIDSuares NC, Ford AC · Aliment Pharmacol Ther · 2011
- 11Effects of psyllium on LDL cholesterol concentrations: a meta-analysisPMIDWei ZH, Wang H, Chen XY et al. · Eur J Clin Nutr · 2009
LDL reduced by 7 mg/dL on average; dose-dependent effect
- 12Time- and dose-dependent effect of psyllium on serum lipids in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trialsPMIDWei ZH, Wang H, Chen XY et al. · European journal of clinical nutrition · 2009
Wei ZH, Wang H, Chen XY et al.. Time- and dose-dependent effect of psyllium on serum lipids in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. European journal of clinical nutrition. 2009
- 13Effect of psyllium supplementation on blood lipid levels: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsSource linkedPMIDWei ZH, Wang H, Chen XY et al. · J Atheroscler Thromb · 2009
- 14Cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium intake adjunctive to diet therapy in men and women with hypercholesterolemia: meta-analysis of 8 controlled trialsPMIDAnderson JW et al. · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2000
Psyllium adjunctive to diet therapy produced significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in men and women with hypercholesterolemia across 8 controlled trials.
Randomized controlled trials
4- 15Agave tequilana Fructans Versus Psyllium plantago for Functional Constipation : Randomized Double-blind Clinical TrialPMIDCoss-Adame E, García-Cedillo MF, Bustillo-Armendáriz G et al. · Journal of clinical gastroenterology · 2024
Coss-Adame E, García-Cedillo MF, Bustillo-Armendáriz G et al.. Agave tequilana Fructans Versus Psyllium plantago for Functional Constipation : Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial. Journal of clinical gastroenterology. 2024
- 16The Impact of Glucomannan, Inulin, and Psyllium Supplementation (Soloways(TM)) on Weight Loss in Adults with FTO, LEP, LEPR, and MC4R Polymorphisms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialPMIDPokushalov E, Ponomarenko A, Garcia C et al. · Nutrients · 2024
Pokushalov E, Ponomarenko A, Garcia C et al.. The Impact of Glucomannan, Inulin, and Psyllium Supplementation (Soloways(TM)) on Weight Loss in Adults with FTO, LEP, LEPR, and MC4R Polymorphisms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2024
- 17Efficacy of Oral Psyllium in Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Control TrialPMIDMenon J, Thapa BR, Kumari R et al. · Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition · 2023
Menon J, Thapa BR, Kumari R et al.. Efficacy of Oral Psyllium in Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2023
- 18The Effect of Psyllium Husk on Intestinal Microbiota in Constipated Patients and Healthy ControlsPMIDJalanka J et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2019
Psyllium increased stool water content with significant microbiota changes, increasing Lachnospira, Faecalibacterium, and Veillonella, more marked in constipated patients.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Psyllium Husk, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Psyllium Husk?
Soluble fiber supplement for digestive regularity and cholesterol reduction.
What is Psyllium Husk used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Psyllium Husk include: Digestive regularity; Cholesterol reduction; Blood sugar control; Prebiotic. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Psyllium Husk?
A typical adult dose of Psyllium Husk is 5-10 g daily. The commonly recommended form is Whole husk or powder (mix in water, drink immediately). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Psyllium Husk?
Reported side effects include bloating, gas, cramping if insufficient water, choking risk if taken dry. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Psyllium Husk?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Psyllium Husk in NutriStack.
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