Protect Your Gut by Consuming Psyllium Fiber

A new study conducted in mice suggests that psyllium fiber can protect against ulcerative colitis by activating bile acid nuclear receptor.

Highlights:

Psyllium is a form of soluble fiber, which is usually used to relieve constipation and can be part of one’s diet
A recent animal study conducted in mice suggests that psyllium can protect the gut against colitis by surpassing inflammation
This is done with the help of farnesoid X receptor, which is a bile acid nuclear receptor

A new study conducted by researchers in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University suggests that psyllium fiber protects against ulcerative colitis and suppresses inflammation. This was done by activating the bile acid nuclear receptor, a mechanism that was previously unknown.

The study was conducted in mice, where psyllium inhibits inflammation. This inflammation can lead to colitis by increasing serum bile acids, resulting in the activation of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a bile acid nuclear receptor. Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative often used to relieve constipation.

‘An animal study says that psyllium fiber can protect the gut against colitis by surpassing inflammation with the help of bile acid receptor.’

To What Extent do Fiber-Rich Foods Protect the Gut

Fiber-rich foods promote intestinal and metabolic health, but the extent of protection varies for each fiber type and the mechanisms that offer this protection are poorly defined. It has been unclear whether dietary fiber can benefit severe forms of intestinal inflammation, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affect 3 million adults in the United States.

This study was designed to identify specific fibers that might protect mice in two models of experimental colitis. The study also investigated the mechanism by which protective fibers might suppress inflammation.

Several fibers were tested, including inulin, cellulose, pectin, glucomannan, and psyllium. The authors found that psyllium has the unique ability to improve two chronic inflammatory states: metabolic syndrome and colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by bouts of diarrhea, bleeding per rectum and pain, which remits and relapses. Fulminant colitis is a possibility, which may require colectomy.

Effect of Psyllium on Colitis

“The results were impressive in that even modest amounts of psyllium provided strong protection in both colitis models,” said Andrew Gewirtz, senior author of the study and Regents’ Professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State.

“That psyllium can offer protection against colitis fits with limited human studies that psyllium is effective in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis, but its mechanism of action was largely unknown,” added lead author Alexis Bretin, a postdoctoral fellow in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State, who also noted that the new study has filled this gap of knowledge.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Inflammatory bowel disease involves chronic inflammation of the colon and small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss.

How does Psyllium Protect the Gut Against Colitis

Psyllium led to an increase in bile acids that resulted in activation of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) bile acid receptor. Such FXR activation was necessary and sufficient to prevent colitis. This suggests that pharmacologic FXR activation might be useful in managing IBD.

Chronic Constipation Symptom Checker
Chronic Constipation or Severe Constipation Calculator checks if you have irregular bowel movements or other symptoms of constipation and informs the severity of your condition.

Psyllium and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The study also provides evidence that dietary fiber can benefit IBD, which has been unclear.

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative. This means it soaks up water in the gut and makes bowel movements much easier and can help promote regularity without increasing flatulence. It can be used as a one-off to ease constipation, or it can be added to your diet to help promote regularity and overall digestive health. People with irritable bowel disease and colitis often experience bowel irregularity.

“There has been a lack of consensus on the impact of dietary fiber on IBD, and the notion that soluble/fermentable fibers might negatively impact IBD has prompted many patients to consume low-fiber diets, thus missing out on the broad array of health benefits provided by fiber,” Gewirtz said. “Our findings indicate distinct fibers act quite differently from each other, and thus more human studies of specific fibers are warranted.”
Reference:

Psyllium Fiber Protects Against Colitis via Activation of Bile Acid Sensor Fxr - (https://www.cmghjournal.org/article/S2352-345X(23)00026-7/pdf)

Source-Medindia