Psyllium, like any weight loss aid, can assist people who are trying to slim down if it is taken correctly and complements a healthy diet and regular exercise. There are two ways in which psyllium assists with weight loss. If it is taken before meals, it can help to create a feeling of fullness, reducing the amount of food that is consumed. Psyllium is also a natural colon cleanser. Psyllium helps to remove waste that has built up in the colon, which can help in the process of shedding a few pounds.

According to some reports, psyllium can help some people to lose between 4 pounds and 10 pounds (between about 1.5 and 4 kilos) in impacted fecal matter alone. Before using psyllium for weight loss, however, one should consult with one's doctor. This is especially true for people who have a history of intestinal problems. There are some medications that may be adversely affected when combined with psyllium.

Psyllium husk is used as a appetite suppressant because when it is combined with water, this natural product can swell ten to 20 times its natural size. In order to suppress one's appetite and reduce one's food intake, it is usually recommended to take a psyllium husk supplement with plenty of water about 30 minutes before having a meal. There are a number of kinds of psyllium products on the market. Those who are using psyllium for weight loss will probably do best with the husk in a loose form instead of in a capsule because the loose psyllium will expand in the stomach more quickly than psyllium that comes in a capsule.

There are also some reports on psyllium for weight loss that suggest a third way in which the product might work to promote weight loss. By causing the body to produce bowel movements on a more frequent basis, psyllium may reduce the amount of time that the body has to absorb fats that have been ingested. This being said, the best way to use psyllium for weight loss is to combine it with a diet that is low in fat. Without making good dietary choices, psyllium may only work as a colon cleanser and not as a weight loss aid.