{"id":8772,"date":"2022-05-09T19:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fxnutrition.com\/?p=8772"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:13:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:13:45","slug":"psyllium-husk-for-husky-poop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fxnutrition.com\/blog\/psyllium-husk-for-husky-poop","title":{"rendered":"Psyllium Husk for Husky Poop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It may be a bit brash for me to talk to you about your BMs this early in the day. Fortunately, it\u2019s just you and me right now. Nobody\u2019s looking over your shoulder and I promise there\u2019s not a person in earshot of me as I write this.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet if you know me, you know I\u2019m a fan of evaluating the shape, size, color and consistency of poop. That\u2019s right. Poop is one of our best health diagnostic tools!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not talking about fancy stool analysis (though I confess to sometimes liking those for some clinical diagnostic gems as well.) I\u2019m merely talking about taking a peek in the bowl after you\u2019ve done your business and before you flush the (very telling) evidence you\u2019ve left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That sneak peek is not to be missed! It can reveal a load about your GI function. And a load is what we want to see. Are you ready for the naked truth about poop?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A healthy stool should be up to 2 inches in diameter. That\u2019s pretty husky, right?! In order to get there, let\u2019s turn our attention to a husk of another sort.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secret to psyllium husk\u2019s success <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s gut loving ingredient is meant to bring on the husky: it\u2019s psyllium husk!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main secret to psyllium husk\u2019s success in easing digestive woes is that it\u2019s a rich source of soluble fiber. Instead of being food for you, it\u2019s actually food for your gut bacteria! (The good guys.) Here\u2019s how your gut does its stuff with psyllium husk: your gut bacteria ferment the soluble fiber in psyllium husk to produce short chain fatty acids like butyrate. Butyrate has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, have anti-inflammatory effects, and ease digestive distress.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does psyllium husk work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The real mystery and magic of psyllium husk (in my mind, as a Functional Medicine Nutritionist) is that it can remedy digestive woes on both ends of the spectrum\u2014from hard and clumpy to loose and runny. (Yes, I\u2019m back to talking poop.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your constitution leads to constipation, psyllium husk can help get you going in no time. When combined with water in your digestive tract, it swells and produces more bulk, stimulating your intestines to contract and get things moving. (Just be sure to increase your water and electrolyte consumption when adding that psyllium.) <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If instead, you\u2019re going with a gush, psyllium husk still may save the day. It helps soak up water in the digestive tract, firms your stool, and slows the whole show down. Even in the case of more serious digestive issues (like Crohn\u2019s and Colitis), there\u2019s compelling evidence (and in my practice, clinical experience) that adding in psyllium husk can help alleviate signs and symptoms of distress.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you\u2019re thinking\u2026 you want me to eat this stuff? Yes, I do!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having psyllium husk handy for breads, baked goods and healthy snacks, like the one I share below, make it a go-to ingredient for getting your husky on. (It works like a binder in your food, just as it does elsewhere, so it\u2019s especially helpful when making gluten-free goodies that have lost a bit of their \u201cglue\u201d.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with all gut lovin\u2019 ingredients, my advice as a Functional Medicine Nutritionist is to <\/span>start low and go slow!<\/span><\/i> If you (and your gut) are new to psyllium husk, begin with just a small amount (\u00bd to 1 tsp per day) to make sure that your gut does indeed love the husk! Cap this superfood dosage at 2-3 Tbsps per day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to your body\u2026 if the response is good, this colonic food is a good for you go-to.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right psyllium husk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psyllium husk comes in a few forms including capsules, powder, whole husk and whole seeds. What\u2019s best for you? It depends!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n