Is Psyllium Husk A Cheap Ozempic Alternative? Dietitians Weigh In - a "Poor Man's Ozempic". Via Women's Health.
Ozempic has been a buzzy medication for more than a year.
The prescription type 2 diabetes drug caught fire 0n social media after people said they lost significant amounts of weight on it. Then, a slew of speculation surfaced online that certain celebrities were using Ozempic off-label for weight loss.
The medication has faced shortages for months. And because it’s designed to be used for people with type 2 diabetes, most health insurances won’t cover it off-label (i.e. weight loss).
Plus, you need a prescription, which requires a trip to your doctor’s office, hanging in the waiting room for ages, and more hassle. It’s no surprise, then, that plenty of people are looking for a less expensive and more easily accessible alternative to Ozempic.
Enter psyllium husk.
Dubbed “the poor man’s Ozempic,” this fiber supplement is suddenly getting a lot of attention. But what is psyllium husk and is it ~actually~ like Ozempic?
Psyllium husk is a type of fiber—specifically, soluble fiber, which means it attracts water and turns to gel when it’s being digested, explains Jessica Cording, R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers.
“It’s typically used as a fiber supplement,” she says.
Psyllium husk is found in the seeds of an herb grown in India called Plantago ovata, says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet.
There are a few different perks of psyllium husk, Gans says, including:
Constipation reliefBlood sugar managementLowered cholesterol“Sometimes you’ll see it in the context of weight management products or supplements for weight loss because the fiber helps you to stay full,” Cording says.
If we’re looking for Ozempic-level weight loss, the answer is no.
“If someone is making other changes to their nutritional intake or their exercise routine and they’re using psyllium husk as part of that, it can be supportive of weight management because of the impacts on fullness and blood sugar regulation,” Cording says. “But just introducing psyllium husk is not enough to cause weight loss."
Gans says you might lose a little weight while taking psyllium husk, simply because you’ll be more satisfied.
“Fiber, overall, may help with satiety,” she says. “The more satisfied and full a person feels at mealtimes, the less likely they are to overeat.”
“For most individuals, psyllium husk is completely safe,” Gans says. “However, if on any medications or being treated for an illness, one should always check with their primary physician before adding any supplements to their diet.”
You can also overdo it on psyllium husk or any type of fiber, Cording says.
“As with anything, too much of a good thing is possible,” she says. “Some can be beneficial, but you don’t want to go above and beyond the recommended dosing.”
Again via Women's Health.
Puritan's Pride Psyllium Husks 500 Mg, Supports Digestive and Colon Health, 400 ct
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