Psyllim (sp)
 

Dr. Oz mentions using that. Where do I get it? What does it do? Do you use it? Geez, I feel stupid.

I haven't gotten his book yet. I want to get it from the library first to see if it is something I can do.

Psyllium is found in most grocery stores or drug stores where you find laxatives. Basically it is a bulking agent to make things go a little smoother. Think fiber.

Metamucil and similar laxative products are just psyllium with a little flavor to make it easier to take. They also cell it in capsule form. If you take the right amount, it won't work like a regular laxative, but will just keep you regular. If you want plain psyllium without flavors, you can get it from your health food store.

But those other products are taken on their own. Dr. Oz made this sound as something you add to your food. And I think he said in particular psyllium husks, not just psyllium. Is there a difference?

I have a jar of whole psyllium husks. Metamucil and similar products are, I believe, powdered psyllium husk plus flavoring. They are the same thing, one is just ground.

Adding whole psyllium husks to your food would cause some major textural changes. Powdered would make less of one, I think, because it isn't as lumpy when you add water to it.

Okay, so next question - just how many calories are in this psyllium? And how much of it should be used? Don't wanna go overboard.

Amount Per 0.125 cup, ground
Calories 8.38
Calories from Fat 0.754
Total Fat 0.0838g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.00854g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0355g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0275g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 5.86mg 0%
Potassium 29.98mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 13.53g 5%
Dietary Fiber 12.06g 48%
Protein 0.486g 1%
Alcohol 0g

Vitamin A 1 % Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium 3 % Iron 3 %
Vitamin D 0 % Vitamin E 0 %
Thiamin 6 % Riboflavin 1 %
Niacin 1 % Folate 3 %
Vitamin B-6 2 % Vitamin B-12 0 %
Phosphorus 2 % Magnesium 2 %
Zinc 3 % Copper 7 %

Hmmm. The carbs are up there but the amount of fiber is really big. I guess just a little bit of that would give the "S" shape he mentioned.

Thanks!

Rockin Robin, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with all these questions.

cbmare - remember, there are only 1.5 grams of carb that aren't fiber fiber...dietary fiber is always included in the total carb count. So the number of carbs in the product will always be equal to or greater than the number of grams of fiber.

There is an internist who holds clinics in our hospital who advises everyone to add psyllium to their diet. It adds manageable bulk for folks who are constipated. I can't think how to describe how it helps folks who have frequent stools. Bowel hygeine ... Dr F calls it.

I used ground whole psyllium from a bulk food store (cheap). I add it to my shake. You can sprinkle it on oatmeal without changing the texture much.
Doesn't Fat Flush ask you to drink it in cranberry juice? That's not too unpleasant.

I know. That's what made me happy about it. So many things have carbs and very little fiber.

just checking!

OK, I'm back with the next question
 

Many of the health food stores have closed around me. Would some place like Whole Foods have it?

I want to get a small amount of it and start trying it in my food. If it works, then perhaps my DH will start using it instead of his fiber pills he takes every night.

Also, how many times per day do you use it? How often does it "make" you go? I hate being at work and "having" to go. I have what's been called "bashful bowel". I tend to hold things until I get home and sometimes it is VERY uncomfy.

I'm sorry if some of this is a bit graphic. I was trying to be delicate. :o

cbmare, almost any grocery or pharmacy will have this item. Also try GNC. And yes, if you consume too much of it, it will make you go.

Thanks for the encouragement
 

I just read some of the posts from 12-06, and got the encouragement I need to once again start over. Thanks so much!!! My moto will be: Success if not final, failure is not fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts.