Why You Should Be Careful With Psyllium Husk Fiber Supplement

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Bernard from Chubbyemu discusses the potential dangers of consuming excessive amounts of psyllium husk fiber supplement. He explains how fiber, while beneficial for promoting intestinal movement and reducing transit time, can lead to blockages if not mixed properly with water. Dr. Bernard illustrates the absorptive nature of psyllium, which can cause it to form a thick, sticky mass that may lead to impaction and peritonitis if not managed correctly. He also touches on the health benefits of fiber, such as lowering cholesterol and aiding in blood sugar control, but cautions viewers to follow the recommended dosage and mixing instructions to avoid serious complications.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Psyllium husk is a natural fiber supplement derived from plants, used as a bulk laxative.
• 💧 It works by absorbing water in the colon to facilitate bowel movements and reduce transit time.
• 🚫 Taking too much fiber or not mixing it properly can lead to blockages in the stomach or intestines.
• 🍇 Fiber is beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract, similar to how traffic needs to keep moving in a city.
• 🍏 A balanced diet with sufficient fiber from fruits, vegetables, grains, or supplements is important for gut health.
• 🍇🍇 Some people may have misconceptions about the purpose of fiber, not realizing its role in lubricating the intestines.
• 🍵 Proper mixing of psyllium husk with water is crucial to prevent it from forming a thick, sticky mass.
• 🍊 Unflavored or flavored variants of psyllium husk are available, and it's important to follow the label instructions.
• 🏥 Psyllium husk is generally safe, but it's possible to have an allergic reaction or experience blockages.
• 🍏🍏 Some studies suggest health benefits of psyllium husk, including lowering cholesterol and aiding gut microbiome.
• 🚑 Overconsumption or improper use of psyllium husk can lead to serious complications like fecal impaction and peritonitis.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Dr. Bernard's video?

The main topic is the potential problems caused by taking too much fiber supplement, specifically psyllium husk, and how it can lead to blockage in the colon.

What is the purpose of a bulk laxative like psyllium husk?

A bulk laxative like psyllium husk is used to absorb water into the colon, which helps to move things along and reduce transit time in the intestines.

Why is dietary fiber important for the gastrointestinal tract?

Dietary fiber helps retain water in the stool, which lubricates the intestines and prevents them from pulling out too much water, thus aiding in the movement of waste through the digestive system.

What happens if psyllium husk is not mixed with enough water?

If psyllium husk is not mixed with enough water, it can become a thick, sticky, and jelly-like substance that may block the stomach or intestines, leading to impaction.

What is a phytobezoar?

A phytobezoar is a partially digested or undigested mass that forms in the stomach, typically from plant-based substances like psyllium husk.

Are there any health benefits associated with taking psyllium husk fiber supplement?

Yes, it may help lower cholesterol levels, potentially aid in managing inflammatory bowel disease by affecting the gut microbiome, and assist with blood sugar control, which could be beneficial for diabetes.

What are the risks of taking too much psyllium husk fiber supplement?

Taking too much or not mixing it properly can lead to blockages in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be painful and require medical intervention. In rare cases, some people may have an allergic reaction to psyllium.

How does Dr. Bernard emphasize the importance of following the label instructions for psyllium husk fiber supplement?

Dr. Bernard stresses that following the label instructions, especially regarding the amount of water to mix with the supplement, is crucial to avoid potential blockages and complications.

What is the significance of the personal experience Dr. Bernard mentions in the video?

Dr. Bernard's personal experience serves as a cautionary tale to illustrate the pain and frustration associated with blockages caused by improper use of psyllium husk fiber supplement.

What other types of bezoars are mentioned in the video?

The video mentions trichobezoars (hairballs), lactobezoars (masses of milk proteins), and pharmacobezoars (made of medicines and excipients).

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Consequences of Overusing Fiber Supplements

Dr. Bernard discusses the case of a man who experienced a colon blockage due to excessive intake of a fiber supplement, psyllium husk. He explains how psyllium husk works as a bulk laxative by absorbing water to facilitate bowel movements. The importance of dietary fiber is emphasized, and the potential dangers of not mixing the supplement with enough water are highlighted, leading to the formation of a jelly-like substance that can cause intestinal blockages. The video also touches on the various types of bezoars, which are indigestible masses formed in the stomach, and the risks associated with them. Dr. Bernard shares his personal experience with the discomfort caused by a blockage and advises viewers to follow the label instructions for proper use of psyllium husk.

05:01

🚨 Caution with Psyllium Husk: Safety and Side Effects

The video concludes with a warning about the potential side effects of using psyllium husk fiber supplement, including the risk of allergic reactions and the importance of using it correctly. Dr. Bernard shares his personal experience with the pain and frustration of dealing with a blockage caused by improper use of the supplement. He advises viewers to be cautious and to check the label for proper mixing instructions. The video also mentions potential health benefits of psyllium husk, such as lowering cholesterol and aiding in blood sugar control for diabetes, as well as its positive effects on gut microbiome. The video ends with a reminder to take care of oneself and to check out related content for more information.

Keywords

💡fiber supplement

A fiber supplement is a product, often derived from natural sources like plants, that is taken to increase the dietary fiber intake. In the video, the focus is on psyllium husk, which is a type of fiber supplement. It is used to help with regular bowel movements and is mentioned as a potential cause of blockage if not consumed with enough water.

💡psyllium husk

Psyllium husk is a natural fiber derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. It is commonly used as a bulk laxative to promote regularity and is highlighted in the video as a substance that can cause intestinal blockage if not properly hydrated. The video emphasizes the importance of mixing it with sufficient water to prevent it from forming a gelatinous mass that can obstruct the intestines.

💡colon blockage

Colon blockage, or fecal impaction, occurs when stool becomes hardened and accumulates in the colon, obstructing the passage of waste. In the video, it is discussed as a potential side effect of taking too much fiber supplement, particularly if it is not properly mixed with water, leading to a jelly-like consistency that can harden and cause blockages.

💡bulk laxative

A bulk laxative is a type of laxative that works by increasing the bulk of stool, making it easier to pass. Psyllium husk is an example of a bulk laxative. The video explains that these laxatives absorb water and swell, which helps to move stool through the intestines. However, if not enough water is consumed, the bulk laxative can lead to blockages.

💡surface tension

Surface tension is a property of liquids that allows them to resist an external force, causing the liquid to behave as if it has an elastic sheet or skin. In the context of the video, psyllium husk lowers surface tension to allow water to enter the intestines more effectively, aiding in digestion and bowel movements.

💡intestinal transit time

Intestinal transit time refers to the time it takes for food to pass through the digestive system from ingestion to excretion. The video discusses how dietary fiber, including psyllium husk, helps to reduce this time by retaining water in the stool, making it softer and easier to pass.

💡gastrointestinal tract

The gastrointestinal tract, also known as the digestive system, is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. The video likens it to a city highway, emphasizing the importance of keeping it moving to prevent blockages and health issues.

💡peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen. It can occur when feces or other contents leak from the intestines due to a blockage or perforation. The video warns that a blockage caused by improper use of psyllium husk can lead to peritonitis, which is a serious medical condition.

💡phytobezoar

A phytobezoar is a mass of undigested plant material that forms in the stomach. The video mentions this term in relation to the accumulation of psyllium husk if it is not properly hydrated, which can lead to a blockage in the stomach.

💡gut microbiome

The gut microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms living in the digestive tract, which play a crucial role in health, including digestion, immune function, and disease prevention. The video suggests that fiber supplements like psyllium husk may have health benefits by potentially influencing the gut microbiome positively.

💡cholesterol levels

Cholesterol levels refer to the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which is a waxy substance that is important for cell function but can contribute to heart disease if levels are too high. The video mentions that some studies have shown that fiber supplements, including psyllium husk, may help lower cholesterol levels in individuals with high blood cholesterol.

Highlights

A man took too much fiber supplement, leading to a blocked colon.

This issue with fiber supplements is not as uncommon as people think.

Psyllium husk, a natural product, is a bulk laxative that absorbs water in the colon.

Dietary fiber helps retain water in stool, reducing transit time in the intestines.

Indigestible fiber is beneficial as it lubricates the intestines and prevents dehydration of stool.

A blockage in the intestines can lead to stretching of the intestinal walls and potentially necrosis.

Psyllium husk fiber, if not mixed with enough water, can form a thick, sticky substance that may block the stomach or intestines.

Proper mixing of psyllium husk with water prevents it from forming a jelly-like blockage.

Psyllium husk is generally safe when used as directed, but it's important to follow the label instructions.

Some studies suggest psyllium husk may help lower cholesterol and aid with inflammatory bowel disease.

Psyllium husk can also potentially help with blood sugar control in diabetes.

Taking too much psyllium husk or using it incorrectly can be very painful and lead to blockages.

There is a risk of allergic reaction to psyllium, though rare, which can be life-threatening.

The speaker shares personal experience with the painful consequences of improper use of psyllium husk.

The video discusses the formation of a phytobezoar, a mass of partially digested plant material in the stomach.

Other types of bezoars include trichobezoars (hairballs), lactobezoars (milk protein masses), and pharmacobezoars (medicine and excipient masses).

Transcripts

Hi Dr Bernard here. You might know me from the  channel Chubbyemu this is heme review which  

is my second channel this is a different video  different title different thumbnail more in-depth  

topic i recently described a man who took too much  fiber supplement and it blocked his colon this is  

actually not as uncommon as people think because  based on how that particular fiber supplement  

works it could cause a variety of problems  psyllium husk is a natural product derived from  

plants it's known as a bulk laxative which means  that it absorbs water into the colon in order  

to move things along the way that it does this is  that it lowers surface tension to allow that water  

to enter into the intestines in general you want  dietary fiber whether it's from fruits vegetables  

grains or psyllium husk fiber supplement because  it helps retain water in the stool which in turn  

reduces transit time in the intestines to  help things move along there's some hot takes  

from my favorite place on the internet where  people say that because fiber is indigestible  

why would anyone want to take it think of your  gastrointestinal tract like a big city highway  

keep it moving no one likes it when things get  backed up your intestines are designed to pull  

nutrients and water out of the food that you've  eaten having fiber hold on to water into the stool  

lubricates the intestines and to a degree prevents  those intestines from pulling out too much water  

if the stool becomes dehydrated and hard then it's  more difficult to move things along if something  

gets blocked things will continue to pile on  inside if it's really hard then it'll stretch  

the walls of the intestines which could induce the  stretch reflex because your whole gi tract is the  

line of muscle but when that stretch happens and  a solid is in place that can't be moved the flow  

of blood to the gastrointestinal muscles will  start to get cut off and then cause some of  

the tissue to necros then the walls become weak  because they're not alive and it can cause ster  

coral perforation stir coral referring to feces as  all that starts to leak into the abdomen causing  

peritonitis and here's the thing about psyllium  husk fiber well it helps keep water in the stool  

to keep things moving along in the intestines  if you don't mix it with enough water you can  

expect that your gut has enough water in it so it  becomes kind of like a jelly like consistency if  

you mix even more powder thinking that the more  fiber the better then it becomes thick and sticky  

to the point where anyone would be surprised that  it wouldn't block the stomach or the intestines  

here i've mixed about a pound of psyllium husk  fiber supplement in two liters of water look at  

how quickly it absorbs the water on contact but  after some mixing it quickly becomes a clay-like  

consistency as it starts to absorb more and more  water it starts to become like a jelly consistency  

and if you have water on your hands like how the  walls of your intestines would have some moisture  

you'll see that the psyllium block becomes kind  of slippery although the more i rub into it the  

stickier it becomes as it starts to absorb  that water on my hands if you add more water  

to psyllium after it is congealed you'll notice  that it roughly maintains the same shape and just  

continues to absorb even more water if you try  to squeeze it it's not easy to break up actually  

it's really difficult to even cut it up so once  it's formed it becomes hard to break up adding  

more water causes it to expand even more all of  this meaning that if anyone who takes psyllium  

without mixing it with enough water at first  they can cause some trouble for their stomach  

and their intestines in some cases people might  mix it with some water and drink it while it's  

still a slushy like consistency because it does  take a minute or two for it to absorb water this  

only means that it can become like a jelly in the  stomach and then further harden as it keeps going  

down into the intestines and then it can cause  blockage leading to an impaction this happens  

maybe more often than we think because psyllium  is made from plants the mass that gathers in the  

stomach is called a phytobazor phyto referring to  plants and bazaar from an old persian word meaning  

antidote but now referring to a partially digested  or undigested mass that's spawned in the stomach  

other kinds of bazaars are trichobazors which  we know as hairballs lactobazor which is a  

mass of milk proteins and pharmacobizarre  which is made of medicines and excipients  

psyllium husk as a supplement is generally  regarded as safe follow what it says on the  

label though because it definitely mentions mixing  it with enough water when you do mix it properly  

with the right amounts of water you'll notice that  it does become a little bit more viscous but if  

mixed well it doesn't settle at the bottom  some people prefer the unflavored variants  

or here in the us we have the metamucil-like  orange flavor type of cilium and some trials  

have suggested that it does have some health  benefits like lowering cholesterol levels in  

people who have high blood cholesterol as well as  possibly helping with inflammatory bowel disease  

by maybe helping with the gut microbiome that's  the bacteria that live inside of your gi tract  

also some fiber has been noted to help with  blood sugar control so it could be helpful  

in diabetes remember you have to be careful  with all of this because like with anything  

taking too much of it and in this case taking it  the wrong way can one be very painful if it blocks  

something in your stomach and your intestines  i can speak from personal experience to that  

and two remember that this is a product that comes  from plants so some people though it's rare can be  

allergic to psyllium and have a life-threatening  reaction to it that's also been described in  

literature so please be careful with your psyllium  husk fiber i'm speaking from personal experience  

it is very painful if something gets blocked and  it's very frustrating because it takes a long time  

for anything to actually start to move  through again thank you so much for watching  

check out the main chubby emu video about  a student who drank two liters of psyllium  

husk fiber supplement link in the description  below or if you'd like to listen to a case of  

fecal impaction that happened in a grandma  with dementia check out the audio version of  

this podcast also linked in the description  below take care of yourself and be well