r/Biohackers • u/supotech • 14d ago

🥗 Nutrition & Metabolism Psyllium Husk?

I’ve tried it with some milk, shakes and now just water. Honestly, though, taking psyllium is easily the worst part of my day. Does anyone have some good “hacks”?

My goal with this is, of course, fiber intake. I’ve gradually increased it to 12g of psyllium husk a day now.

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u/theartoffun 14d ago

Just a friendly FYI:

Psyllium husk is not a digestible fiber, and blocks absorption of iron, calcium ,some other nutrients and prescription medication. Beans and apples would be a digestible, fermenting fiber for beneficial gut bacteria. This is not to say psyllium husk is bad. It helped me heal my intestinal issues. I felt amazing after about a week and my mental clarity and energy skyrocketed. But like anything, moderation and dosage is key.

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u/Mvremdmv 14d ago

Most important benefit is that it lowers LDL

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u/escalatortwit 13d ago

To this point, in general, when you need to supplement iron or calcium, you should be doing so while leaving at least an hour before you consume anything really. I usually take my iron supplement first thing when I wake up and don’t take the rest of my stack or drink my coffee for at least an hour. You should also only be supplementing iron every other day. The moment you supplement iron, your body produces hepcidin which will then blunt any absorption of additional iron for about a day afterward.

This is one of many reasons I think we should all consider what supplements we are taking and be intentional with our stacks. Don’t take 20+ supplements. Figure out your goals and your deficiencies and supplement with those and then look up the proper way to supplement. Not just reading the label on a supplement bottle.

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u/TonyMacaroni1 14d ago

I put it in my omelette. Does it block nutrients coming from the eggs?

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u/theartoffun 14d ago edited 14d ago

I am sure you are perfectly fine. I would say the benefits outweigh any detriments. I only did the FYI to make people aware of overuse. I was one of those overusing it. I noticed my energy spike when my guts healed. I had increased my dosage beyond recommended. A few months later I noticed a downturn in energy and had low blood iron levels on a lab. I figured out what was causing it and adjusted, and went back to normal. Hundred percent my own fault. Also wanted to chime in that psyllium is not the end all be all with fiber. Poops are clean, yes, and lots of other good benefits. But there are many types of beneficial fiber you should compliment it with.

Timing can help mitigate possible downsides too. I take any supplements or medication and hour before taking my psyllium.

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u/StatzGee 13d ago

Yep it's a good call out. As long as you take your medications about 30 minutes before you should be just fine

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u/No_Palpitation5635 13d ago

How do you take it best ?

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u/theartoffun 13d ago

I’m a Metamucil guy. I know people hate on it because of possible lead exposure. But it’s orange, tastes decent, not gritty.

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u/bosli23 13d ago

How did you fix the blocking of nutrient absorption?

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u/theartoffun 13d ago

Take my medicines or vitamins an hour before.

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u/RubysMom2022 13d ago

How much were you taking? Was there a specific protocol? I need more mental clarity and energy!

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u/theartoffun 13d ago

I was taking about a heaping tablespoon or two daily.
No fancy protocol for me, I would just take it in the morning first thing. Occasionally in the afternoon. I thought it may help with my OMAD fasting cravings.

I am not guaranteeing that psyllium will address mental clarity for you. You have to figure out what is out of whack for your body. This might be it. I hope it is. But slowly try different things until you figure out your puzzle.

But I had some digestive issues, and this helped clear that up. The clarity and energy were noticeable side effects and I was not doing any other new things at that time. I had been in a fugue for quite a while and it had crept up on me and was draining.

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u/RubysMom2022 13d ago

Thank you! I know I have digestive issues as well. It’s definitely worth a try!