Psyllium Husk

[bellajack]

> Don't suppose I could ask you about psyllium husk to treat chronic
> diahorrea in elderly horses could I?

No contraindications I am aware of, it's very gentle, but whether or
not it
will treat diarrhoea I don't know, I've only used it for constipation.
It
forms a gel, so could work either way I guess. Just make sure they are
not
getting garlic or probiotics and preferably are getting Yea-Sacc.

Jackie A Taylor.

[harveydales]

Thanks for this.

[bellajack]

"Psyllium Husks are pure dietary fibres that are not digested in the small intestine, but are partially broken down in the colon. They act as a sponge, absorbing water and waste material in the bowels. This helps to clear toxins, preventing them from staying too long in the colon."

"Psyllium husks, the tiny seeds of the plantain, contain a fibre called mucilage. Mucilage absorbs a great deal of fluid in the gut, the seeds swell and add bulk to the stool. The bulk presses on the walls of the colon, inducing the muscles to contract and the stool is passed. It is very important to drink at least eight full glasses of water a day, or the digestive track will become blocked and uncomfortable. Psyllium also removes the sticky mucus and toxins from the bowel. They reduce acidity and increase urine flow."

"Whole Psyllium Husks are a great source of dietary fibre and are perfect for those with sensitive bowels as they are non-abrasive and wheat free. "

"Adding whole Psyllium Husk to your diet will promote a healthier bowel, regulate bowel movement and help restore balance to your whole digestive system."


Found these references. Sounds promising for Quest.

[bellajack]

The characteristics of psyllium seed husks make them useful for any treatment that requires improvement or maintenance of transit time in the gastrointestinal tract, since the inert bulk of the husks helps provide a constant volume of solid material irrespective of other aspects of the diet or any disease condition of the gut. Over-the-counter laxatives and fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Serutan, Effersyllium, and Isabgol have psyllium husks as their main ingredient, in finely chopped or powdered form. The husks can be consumed as-is (with plenty of water or other fluid) with much the same effect. Psyllium can also be added to food or drink to boost the fiber content of the diet, and some cereals (Bran Buds, Heartwise) contain it.

"Psyllium husks are used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, and diarrhea. They are used as a regular dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI transit. Some recent research is also showing them to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes"

Gets better and better!!

[bellajack]

"Research also indicates that psyllium incorporated into food products is more effective at reducing blood glucose response than use of a soluble-fiber supplement that is separate from the food. Although the cholesterol-reducing and glycemic-response properties of psyllium-containing foods are fairly well documented, the effect of long-term inclusion of psyllium in the diet has not been determined."

"Psyllium is produced mainly for its mucilage content, which is highest in P. ovata. The term mucilage describes a group of clear, colorless, gelling agents derived from plants. The mucilage obtained from psyllium comes from the seed coat. Mucilage is obtained by mechanical milling/grinding of the outer layer of the seed. Mucilage yield amounts to approximately 25% or more (by weight) of the total seed yield. Plantago-seed mucilage is often referred to as husk, or psyllium husk. The milled seed mucilage is a white fibrous material that is hydrophilic, meaning that its molecular structure causes it to attract and bind to water. Upon absorbing water, the clear, colorless, mucilaginous gel that forms increases in volume by tenfold or more. Psyllium is mainly used as a dietary fiber, which is not absorbed by the small intestine. The purely mechanical action of psyllium mucilage absorbs excess water while stimulating normal bowel elimination. Although its main use has been as a laxative, it is more appropriately termed a true dietary fiber."

[bellajack]

"Global Herbs ClearOut (Ref:4977)
The Psyllium in ClearOut is an excellent bowel cleanser helping keep your horse clear of build up of undesirable material which can cause discomfort and concern. It is used by many vets in the UK when sand and debris build up in the bowel and can be used each year or more regularly throughout the year to ensure total comfort.
The husk of this plant swells to form a gel which can help soothe bowels and enable sand and other material to be passed in th edroppings. It is useful in times of bowel stagnation or loosenness and maintains normal function in a wide variety of situations. many horse owners testify to the difference ClearOut has made to thier horses which regularly experience times of discomfort

Online Price: £12.99 "

Their spelling, not mine!

[harveydales]

Yes, that does sound worth a try for Quest. Thank you very much for this. I'm going to order some on Monday. I'll let you all know how he gets on with it.

[SuzieP]

Well - I take this stuff for IBS and wouldn't be without it now. Hope it helps Quest, Pam.

[harveydales]

That's interesting Sue. Do you take it regularly or just at odd times when symptoms are bad?

I haven't ordered any yet because I was advised to try Magnesium supplementation first in Quest's case. He is still a bit loose so I may try it. All the horse versions I've found by searching the internet talk about using it for just one week as a detox thing and it isn't cheap. I bet the human version is cheaper.

I suspect Quest's problem is due to the diet change from grass to hay now he is living in more.

[SuzieP]

I take it all the time, Pam - a level dessertspoonful in a glass of water morning and night. It takes some getting used to because it's quite gritty to drink, but it's helped a lot.

[harveydales]

I've ordred some for Quest - the horse version. He is still very loose so I thought I'd give it a go. I wonder how it compares to the human version.

[lucydales]

Green clay is also good for diarrhoea. Mix it with water and leave it to drink or make as a paste and let them lick it as and when they want it.
P-husk sounds very interesting though.
Hope things are looking better soon.

[harveydales]

What is "green clay" and where do you get it from?

He is still just a bit loose but not bad. I don't know if it is the p-husks helping or not. I splashed out on one of these rediculously expensive Laminshield salt licks and he is chomping through it in preference to the plain and red Rockies. He seems better since being on the block but it might be coinsidence.

[bellajack]

Harveydales, I saw on EE Jackie Taylor was recommending salt to help with metabolic problems esp. laminitis, as it helps with the uptake of magnesium. With getting diahorrea he probably needs extra, and may not usually get enough from a lick (she said how much a day, it was quite a lot, will have to look again - my memory is awful!).

I passed this on to someone who keeps their ponies here. They are both elderly laminitics and one sweats a lot, so would need a lot of salt.

She started adding the required amount to their feeds 3 weeks ago, and has noticed that their digital pulses, which were raised a little quite often ( even though they have been free of laminitis so far this year) have remained practically undetectable since they started having salt - impressive given present growing conditions!

[harveydales]

That's very interesting Bellajack. I've always offered the normal salt licks from time to time but none of my horses have shown any interest in them..........til last year. Suddenly all of them, but particularly Quest, started chomping through the standard red rockies lick but now they find this expensive Lami one better still. Quest does drink a lot and also sweats a lot so it all ties in with what you say.