KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
NEWSLETTER
SHARING KNOWLEDGE & HELPING CUSTOMERS EXCEL
Vol 7/2024| Editor: Kerry Hughes, MSc.
Driving the global
supply chain in
Botanical Ingredients.
KP Phyto is positioned to
take on global supply chain
demands, and is the Indian
market leader catered to a
wide range of ingredients for
food, pharma, nutraceutical,
dietary supplements and
cosmetics.Thank you for your
interest in our newsletter &
allowing us to provide you
with deep dive perspectives
on Indian botanicals.
Newsletter Vol 7/2024
Psyllium: The Multifunctional Fiber
Psyllium is the common name for several species in the
Plantago genus, made most famous by the use of Plantago
ovato, or Blond Psyllium for the production of Psyllium
fiber. They key product that is famous worldwide as
“Psyllium” is its husk which is used as both a soluble and
insoluble fiber for promoting regularity and gastrointestinal
health. Although it has both soluble and insoluble
properties, the majority of its benefits come from its nature
as a soluble fiber.
There are several other applications beyond its use in
promoting regularity that are less well-known, such as in
thickening foods, promoting healthy blood sugar balance,
blood lipids and blood pressure.
The Plantago ovato husk is obtained from milling the seed.
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
It is water-loving and becomes slippery and mucilaginous
when mixed with water or fluids in the digestive tract. This
helps to create bulk and act as a sort of brush for the GI
tract. With its bulking and gel-forming ability, it is not only
good for reducing constipation, but also a very good
regulator for digestion,useful in cases of both diarrhea and
constipation.
Huge & Growing Market
Only 10% of Americans get the 28 grams of daily fiber
recommended, thus leading to widespread complaints of
constipation. The global psyllium market was estimated to
be $US 215 Million in 2020, according to a Transparency
Market Research report, and expected to reach US$ 525
Million by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.2%. The main market of
Psyllium is the constipation market, which is estimated at
over USD$ 13 Billion, and expected to grow at a CAGR of
5.9% from 2020-2027, according to a Data Intelo report.
Although the mainstream definition of constipation is having
fewer than three bowel movements per week, natural
medicine proponents have a narrower definition of having
fewer than one bowel movement daily. One of the key
growth factors of this market is the rising awareness of the
benefits of regular bowel movements, such as improved
detoxification and digestive health overall.
Key lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of
constipation include diets lacking enough fiber, improper
fluid intake and physical activity. Add to this stress,
endocrine disorders, neurological dysfunction, colon disease
and other environmental and pharmaceutical contributors,
constipation continues to be rising along with modern
lifestyles.
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KP Phyto has invested heavily
in understanding the points
along the supply chain that
must be controlled for the
best quality outcomes in
Psyllium ingredient quality.
We also invest into the
understanding and
development of the research
behind Indian traditional
botanicals…with a focus this
month on Psyllium!
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
Although North America continues to be the dominant
global market for constipation remedies, the fastest
growing region is Asia Pacific, attributed to a growing
geriatric population and growing disposable income.
Major Compounds
The key for Psyllium’s effect is its content of viscous soluble
fiber that absorbs water to form a gel. As this increases the
weight and bulk of stools as they pass through the GI tract,
it also usually causes the body to increase peristalsis, the
intestinal contractions that are used for motility of the
substances through the digestive tract.
Psyllium also contains arabinoxylan, which promotes
growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, a short chain fatty
acid important for promoting microbiome, gut and immune
health.
Traditional Medicine
In Ayurveda, Psyllium husk is known as Isabgol, traditionally
used for balancing the doshas, especially used for calming
out of balance Vata and Pitta. Specifically, Psyllium is used
in many of the same ways as its modern uses, such as
promoting healthy blood lipids, heart health and
constipation. Additionally, Psyllium is used for
haemorrhoids, throat complaints, blood sugar balance, and
topically for soothing the skin.
Established Science & New Applications
As Psyllium’s fiber is not very fermentable, it is also less
likely to cause gas, bloating and pain compared to some
other soluble fibers on the market. Numerous studies have
found positive effects in diverse areas of health, but usually
related to digestion.
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
Constipation
A number of clinical studies have shown the effectiveness
of Psyllium fiber in the reduction of constipation. As
incorporating soluble fiber from Psyllium husk into the diet
or daily regimen increases bulk and weight of the
substances passing through the GI tract, it also normally
causes an increase in normal peristalsis, improving
constipation.
Despite the known improvements many people experience
from Psyllium, this will be dependent on the individual, and
may be influenced by the amount of fluid intake or a
person’s functional motility through the gut.
Blood Sugar
Another use of Psyllium is for promoting blood sugar
balance. There have been several clinical studies showing
positive benefit for the use of Psyllium in promoting healthy
blood sugar balance, but the best effect seems to come
from mixing and consuming with foods. Psyllium is thought
help with blood sugar through its effect on slowing the
absorption of carbohydrates through its effect on the brush
barrier in the gut, also in delaying the rate of digestion.
Blood Lipids
The consumption of Psyllium husk with meals has been
associated with improving the blood lipid profile and heart
health, especially, in lowering LDL without lowering HDL, in
both children and adults. The positive effect on serum
cholesterol levels seems to be from its effect on adsorbing
dietary fats in the GI tract, and reducing the overall
systemic absorption of fat.
Newsletter Vol 7/2024
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KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
Satiety
The consumption of Psyllium husk with meals has also been
shown to promote satiety, or the feeling of fullness from
meals. Several clinical studies have also shown positive
effects on weight management; however, the details of its
best clinical use is still being debated as study condition and
results have been mixed.Psyllium is thought to promote
satiety and healthy weight due to its bulking effect in the GI
tract, which naturally promotes feelings of fullness.
Digestive Health
As many areas of health are modulated through the upstream
processes of digestion, interest in the use of Psyllium fiber
and other soluble fibers has increased in recent years. An
article recently published in Gastroenterology reviewed how
Psyllium husk has positive effects on the gut microbiota,
regulates the bowels, promotes cytokine balance and
therefore should have wider applications for gut health for
these reasons.
Although there is a lot of excitement in exploring the role of
new generations of pre- and probiotics for gut health,
reviewing the long history and clinical history, it seems
Psyllium remains a steadfast and multifunctional solution.
© K Patel Phyto
Extractions Pvt Ltd(India)
Notice:-
This content is for
informational and educational
purposes only. It is not
intended to provide medical
advice or to take the place of
such advice or treatment from
a personal physician.
Newsletter Vol 7/2024
5
KP Phyto’s Newsletter
18 May 2024
© K Patel Phyto
Extractions Pvt Ltd(India)
Notice:-
This content is for
informational and educational
purposes only. It is not
intended to provide medical
advice or to take the place of
such advice or treatment from
a personal physician.
Kerry Hughes, MSc., The Ethnobotanical Explorer,
Kerry Hughes, MSc.,The Ethnobotanical Explorer & principal
for EthnoPharm, is an Ethnobotanist and Registered
Herbalist, with a 20-year record of success in natural product
development. EthnoPharm specializes in innovative product
formulation, education, and nexus-of-market opportunity
identification.
Newsletter Vol 7/2024
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