If you're using psyllium husk to aid in improved digestion, will it break your Intermittent Fast? Today, we're breaking down the details of psyllium husk, how it affects your fast and what type of response it has within the body.
Does Psyllium Husk Contain Carbs?
When determining whether or not something will break a fast, it's important to find out if it contains any carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main food source that cause the body to release the storing hormone insulin. And depending on the type of Intermittent Fasting that you're using, an insulin spike will break a fast by shifting the body out of "fat burning" and into "storing" mode.
Psyllium husk does contain carbohydrates, however all of the carbohydrates in psyllium husk come from fiber. Fiber does not get broken down and absorbed into the blood stream, so even though it does contain carbs (technically), it's not the type of carbs that have an affect on Intermittent Fasting.
Does Psyllium Husk Affect Insulin?
As noted, psyllium husk does technically contain carbohydrates. However, because the carbohydrates come from fiber, there is not an insulin response to psyllium husk. The one caveat is if psyllium husk is packaged with any sugar or proteins, both of which can cause insulin to spike. So if you're unsure, you can check the ingredients label of your psyllium husk supplement for sugar or protein.
Does Psyllium Husk Break a Fast?
So will psyllium husk break your fast? If you're looking at Intermittent Fasting from a weight loss perspective, psyllium husk (on its own) will NOT break a fast. It does NOT cause an insulin spike and therefore will allow the body to continue burning fat as fuel during the fast.
However, if your goal with Intermittent Fasting is improved gut health and motility, then yes, psyllium husk will break a fast. Complete abstinence from food and drinks (except for water) is required to stimulate the Migrating Motor Complex and clean out the left behind food and bacteria that typically lead to bloating.
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Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
Autumn Elle Nutrition
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