Plantago ovata is a plant that is primarily grown in Iran and India and contains stalks that have seeds, which are called psyllium. It has been used in Indian culture for hundreds of years. The seeds are covered in a husk which forms a gel like substance containing mucilage, that finds its way into foods to add fiber, especially breakfast cereals, and contains much higher water soluble fiber than oats or barley. The United States is one of the largest importers of psyllium, as high as 60%, and mucilages are found in products, such as Metamucil.

Psyllium fiber is not broken down as it passes through the system and has no other nutritional value besides being a source of fiber. By adding water to psyllium fiber, it swells to ten times its original size, so it finds its way into weight loss products. The combination of a low fat diet, low in saturated fats and cholesterol plus the addition of psyllium can reduce cholesterol due to reduced absorption by the intestines. It has also been found that psyllium fiber incorporated into food products is effective at lowering levels of blood glucose.

The benefits of taking psyllium fiber to promote weight loss, would come through its ability to enable digestion without much absorption, much like a cleanse agent, and its ability to swell up with water. Besides making you feel fuller, a healthy digestive system eliminates excess fat and toxins. Because 1 tablespoon equals a bowl of bran cereal, by adding 1-3 tablespoons to your daily diet, it satisfies appetite cravings, which cause you to feel full for longer. It is best to start off by taking 1 tablespoon a day for the first week and gradually add up to the 3-tablespoon per day dosage.

Another benefit of taking psyllium fiber to promote weight loss is that it comes in an odorless and tasteless powder form, so it can be added to foods to increase the fiber and feeling of satiety. It also comes in pill form, which can be taken about 30 minutes before a meal, but powder form can just be sprinkled on food, or added to a smoothie or protein shake to make it thicker. Many dieters add a little to anything they have, so they get psyllium fiber in smaller, regular doses, instead of all at once.

It has been recommended by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is often on Oprah, and psyllium is readily available at most health food stores, or around the dietary supplement aisle in stores.

Possible side effects could be gas since it is a natural laxative. So monitor your dosage carefully for the first few days as your system gets used to it.

By adding psyllium fiber to your diet, not only will you feel more satisfied and eat less if you are dieting, it acts as a natural colon cleanse, and is good for heart disease, diabetes, high triglycerides, and irritable bowel syndrome. The benefits of taking psyllium fiber to promote weight loss, may have other benefits, as well.