I think I'm getting addicted to psyllium husk fiber - anything wrong with it?

[InquilineKea]

On Dean's recommendation, I finally decided to try it. :)

 

It tastes... very pizza-ish. I feel like I can finally binge without guilt. :)

 

It has a calorie count, but my impression is that its calorie count doesn't matter.

 

Are there any risks to eating too much psyllium husk fiber per day?

[Dean Pomerleau]

Alex,

 

So nice to hear from you. Our latest joint project was a bit disappointing as far as I'm concerned (is that the best humanity can come up with?). But I really appreciate you trying, and I definitely owe you one. 

 

Psyllium husk fiber is a great filler and thickener. But I definitely recommend you avoid overdoing it. It has no nutritional value, and I suspect in large quantity could have negative nutritional value - in terms of sloughing out the nutrients from the other food you eat before they have a chance to be absorbed. You also (obviously) want to drink a lot of liquid with the psyllium, since there are cases of bowel obstruction from too much fiber.

 

But what exactly are you trying to accomplish Alex? As I've argued, it's not about the calories. Have you ever tried eating one meal a day? You can eat until you're stuffed, and then not think about food for the remainder of the day. It really makes life a lot easier, and time-restricted feeding is a very healthy way to eat. Once you get used to it, it is a piece of cake.

 

But perhaps more importantly, have you thought about trying cold exposure? It burns lots of calories so you can eat more (if you're worried about gaining weight), and from all I've learned has quite beneficial alone, and synergistic with CR. Most of all I'm coming to think it helps me think better as well. This is just a hunch, but it feels like my brain works better when I'm cold. I know, sounds crazy. Maybe I'm like one of those quantum computers Google is working on which can only operate at extremely cold temperatures. ☺

 

Try it out. You too might find it helps with your thinking, and your binging. Gordo has a great primer on CE at Longecity.org, and there is my tome of a thread if you really want to get into the weeds.

 

Good luck!

 

--Dean

[InquilineKea]

I suspect in large quantity could have negative nutritional value - in terms of sloughing out the nutrients from the other food you eat before they have a chance to be absorbed

 

Maybe that means it will slough out the calories from the other food I eat too. :D

 

i can just take my vitamins/minerals/drugz at times other than when I eat psyllium fiber.

 

It would be a **super**-interesting experiment... to take super-high-glycemic index foods along with psyllium husk, and see if psyllium husk reduces their GI. :)

 

 

But what exactly are you trying to accomplish Alex? As I've argued, it's not about the calories. Have you ever tried eating one meal a day? You can eat until you're stuffed, and then not think about food for the remainder of the day. It really makes life a lot easier, and time-restricted feeding is a very healthy way to eat. Once you get used to it, it is a piece of cake.

 

Maybe I'll consider it, but the temptation to return to other meal intervals is too high (esp when your meals are sometimes externally determined and not completely internally determined).

 

 

But perhaps more importantly, have you thought about trying cold exposure? It burns lots of calories so you can eat more (if you're worried about gaining weight), and from all I've learned has quite beneficial alone, and synergistic with CR. Most of all I'm coming to think it helps me think better as well. This is just a hunch, but it feels like my brain works better when I'm cold. I know, sounds crazy. Maybe I'm like one of those quantum computers Google is working on which can only operate at extremely cold temperatures. ☺

 

I'll think about that when Boston gets cold again. :) I don't have any cold rooms with me, alas...

[Dean Pomerleau]

Alex,

 

All I can advise on the psyllium idea is not to go overboard.

 

I'll think about that [cold exposure] when Boston gets cold again. :) I don't have any cold rooms with me, alas...

 

Not to worry. You can make your very own DIY cold vest for a grand total of $13.

 

Who knows, you might find cold exposure stimulating and refreshing, as many of us do now.

 

--Dean

[InquilineKea]

Okay.

 

Hmm - I'm feeling more warm towards the idea now... How much is enough? (I'm also thinking of cold showers, but holy crap, I'm going to have to figure out how to accustom myself to the cold first). My BMI is also lower than most (~16) so I might not tolerate cold as well as most do...

[Dean Pomerleau]

Alex my young friend and protege,

 

(I'm also thinking of cold showers, but holy crap, I'm going to have to figure out how to accustom myself to the cold first).

 

It does take some getting used to. I find the DIY cold suit I described is a kinder, gentler introduction to CE than cold showers, but suit yourself. ☺

 

My BMI is also lower than most (~16) 

 

I didn't realize you were that thin Alex. That's Michael territory. I certainly hope you're eating well and tracking your nutrition. To wit:

 

i can just take my vitamins/minerals/drugz at times other than when I eat psyllium fiber.

 

Please don't tell me you're using a substantial number of supplements to make up for a so-so diet. Knowing now how thin you are, and some of your other dietary extremes you've shared, I'm starting to worry for you my friend...

 

My BMI is also lower than most (~16) so I might not tolerate cold as well as most do...

 

To each his own. I'm done contending over this. But I'm now convinced that being so thin, particularly if you've only got a so-so diet, isn't going to be good for you in the long run.

 

My advice: clean up your diet (eliminating most of the pills in favor of real whole foods, mostly plants), gain some weight and give cold exposure a try. 

 

But hey, it's a free country and it takes all kinds. We're all N-of-1 experiments in this crazy world...

 

--Dean

[Larry Johnson]

Okay.

 

Hmm - I'm feeling more warm towards the idea now... How much is enough? (I'm also thinking of cold showers, but holy crap, I'm going to have to frigure out how to accustom myself to the cold first). My BMI is also lower than most (~16) so I might not tolerate cold as well as most do...

 

After reading the exchange between Dean and Gordo I added cold exposure to my regimen, and while I was waiting  for my vest to arrive, began cold showers.  For me the first few seconds are the worst, and then it's fine.  I set a timer for the length I want to spend (usually ten minutes) turn on the cold stream, and immediately back into it to get that initial shock out of the way.  I have to use the timer because otherwise I'll overestimate the time I've spent showering.

 

Now I do the vest for about four hours a day (two sessions, morning and evening of taking it out of the freezer and wearing it until the packets melt), a cold shower, and drink water and green tea nearly at the freezing point.  It'll be cold enough here in Atlanta within a few weeks that just wearing lighter clothing will give me a lot of cold exposure.

[InquilineKea]

To be fair, I'm Asian, and I know at least two other Asians who are super-thin (even thinner than I am) and don't do CR. It seems that for Asians, it takes a lower BMI to enter a metabolically compromised state...

 

And I'm warming up to the cold suit idea. :) Will take a bit more nudging, but I'm getting there. :)