Get medical help if psyllium products, especially granular formulations taken without adequate fluid, have been associated with esophageal or intestinal obstruction/bezoar events in case reports; regulatory documents.
Ingredient
Safety not yet rated
Psyllium
Psyllium (Plantago ovata/ispaghula) intake reduces LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.
Reviewed health uses
Chronic Constipation
An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found some benefit from fiber supplementation for chronic constipation, but effects varied and evidence may not establish the best product, dose, or applicability to every person.
Occasional Constipation
The AGA/ACG guideline identifies psyllium as the fiber supplement with evidence of benefit in adults with chronic idiopathic constipation. This is indirect evidence for an occasional-constipation page and does not establish benefit for every psyllium product or population.
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found psyllium can modestly reduce LDL cholesterol. Evidence applies to oral psyllium fiber used over time, not immediate symptom relief, and does not establish prevention of heart attack or stroke or replacement of prescribed lipid-lowering therapy.
IBS-C
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials supports a possible benefit of fiber supplementation in IBS, but results may vary by fiber type and the evidence is not specific enough to establish benefit for every psyllium product or all IBS-C symptoms.
Household preparations
Safety information
Get medical help if psyllium products, especially granular formulations taken without adequate fluid, have been associated with esophageal or intestinal obstruction/bezoar events in case reports; regulatory documents.