Benefits of Psyllium Seeds Husks or Supplements

Cholesterol Reduction

Psyllium offers cholesterol-lowering benefits for people with mild to moderately elevated cholesterol levels, according to a review of previously published research that appeared in a 2005 issue of the journal "Nutrition Noteworthy." Psyllium appears to lower low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, by preventing cholesterol in food from being absorbed, thereby encouraging the liver to produce more bile, which uses cholesterol from the liver and bloodstream. Researchers noted that the FDA has approved the use of psyllium at doses of 3 to 12 grams per day, in combination with a low-fat diet, for managing high cholesterol levels.

Blood Sugar Management

Psyllium-fortified foods may help lower blood sugar levels, according to a study published in the May 2012 issue of "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research." Participants who ate snack products made with psyllium exhibited more steady blood sugar compared to a group that ate the same snacks without psyllium. By contrast, snacks made with added oat bran resulted in slower digestion but did not decrease blood sugar levels. Researchers concluded that psyllium may be useful as commercial food additive for preventing elevations in blood sugar, while oat bran shows potential for increasing satiety -- the feeling of fullness -- with less food consumption.