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Article: Laxative psyllium studied as a possible appetite suppressant and weight loss aid.
- Article from:
- Environmental Nutrition
- Article date:
- November 1, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Environmental Nutrition, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Q. I've heard that psyllium can aid weight loss. What exactly is it and how does it work?
A. Psyllium, which is the husk of the plantago plant's seed, is best known for its laxative effect. Many bulk laxatives, including Metamucil, attribute their effectiveness to this husk. In the late 1980's, researchers also discovered that psyllium could lower cholesterol by as much as 15% in people with elevated cholesterol levels.
Now, research suggests that the entire seed from the plantago plant may be useful as an appetite suppressant.
In a recent British study, 17 women aged 19 to 27 were given three treatments in random order, each for three days. One ...