|
|
Discussion on Psyllium for Glucose and Insulin Control
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
martina
|
Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 6:15 pm:
Dr. O, I am interested in your thoughts about the study published in the March 2011 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science "Psyllium Lowers Blood Glucose and Insulin Concentration in Horses." I read about it in an article in The Horse (https://www.thehorse.com) and was wondering if you would share your opinion? I have no experience with psyllium, but for preventing sand colic I think it's given every few weeks. However, I think this study suggests using it regularly if controlling insulin. Am I reading it properly?
|
Member:
lilo
|
Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 9:22 pm:
Tina, thanks for asking this. I was wondering the same thing. A friend of mine said that feeding psyllium every day can lead to diarrhea, in her experience. It might depend on the dosage.
Lilo
|
Member:
vickiann
|
Posted on Friday, May 6, 2011 - 3:39 pm:
For humans psyllium has been used as a treatment for irritable bowel synDrOme to normalize the intestinal tract whether there is constipation or diarrhea going on.
I have used it long term in a horse who had a problem with diarrhea and it helped rather than hindered.
I think that if given daily for a long period of time the gut would likely adjust and accept psyllium as a normal part of the fiber in the diet
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Friday, May 6, 2011 - 9:47 pm:
While I have not read the study I suspect it is referring to the fact that any fibrous food additive will help decrease the rate of absorption of simple sugars and therefore flatten the blood glucose curve. While this is scientifically significant it has minimal clinical significance in the horse because of small amount of change. Humans with low fiber diets may receive a clinical benefit but horses on adequate forage are already on a high fiber diet.
Hmm I know of no reason why a normal horse might develop diarrhea on psyllium though horses with hard stools may get softer.
DrO
|
|
|
