Paleo Principles: The Science Behind the Paleo Template, Step-by-Step Guides, Meal Plans, and 200+ Healthy & Delicious Recipes for Real Life by Sarah Ballantyne

Author:Sarah Ballantyne [Ballantyne, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Victory Belt Publishing
Published: 2017-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

Psyllium husk has been linked with bowel obstructions and increased colorectal cancer growth.

Even more concerning is the possibility that psyllium husks can spur colon cancer progression in people who are already at risk. One trial gave a group of 665 patients with a history of colorectal adenomas (precursors to cancerous colon tumors) a daily calcium supplement, a daily psyllium husk supplement, or a placebo, for 3 years straight. By the end of the study, the people taking psyllium husk had a significantly higher rate of adenomas than everyone else. As revealed by colonoscopies, 29.3 percent of the psyllium group developed adenomas by the 3-year mark, compared to only 15.9 percent for the calcium group and 20.2 percent in the placebo group. That translates to an odds ratio of 1.67 for the study participants who took psyllium—or a 67 percent higher risk! Although other studies have produced contradictory results (some rodent studies show that psyllium should benefit intestinal cells), this news is concerning for anyone who has a history of colorectal adenomas or for whom colon cancer runs in the family.

And psyllium can interact with a number of medications. It can interfere with the effectiveness of antidepressants/tricyclics and reduce the absorption of the antiseizure medication carbamazepine and the heart medication digoxin. On top of that, allergic reactions have been reported, both from occupational exposure and from ingestion of psyllium.

So is it worth using psyllium (seed or husk) for the potential benefits (regularity, lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and maybe appetite suppression and weight loss)? The answer is probably no. Although eating psyllium occasionally (perhaps as an ingredient in a gluten-free baked good) probably won’t cause harm except in certain people with autoimmune conditions or severe digestive sensitivity, the cons outweigh the pros. Psyllium husk doesn’t have any special properties that make it better than other fiber sources, but it does carry some legitimate dangers and can displace far more nutritious items (like whole-food sources of fiber) from our diets.

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