Combined Flaxseed and Psyllium Supplementation Relieves Chronic Idiopathic Constipation and Alters Gut Microbiota Composition in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Keywords:
chronic idiopathic constipation, flaxseed, psyllium, dietary fibre, gut microbiotaAbstract
Background: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is common and poorly served by fibre monotherapies alone. Objective: To
synthesise published evidence on combined flaxseed-psyllium supplementation for CIC and its effects on gut microbiota.
Methods: Narrative review of published randomised trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and mechanistic studies.
Findings: Flaxseed and psyllium each reliably increase stool frequency and soften consistency; trials combining or directly
comparing them, alongside 16S sequencing studies, show additive laxation and consistent enrichment of
short-chain-fatty-acid-producing taxa. Conclusions: Combined mucilage/gel-forming fibre supplementation is a mechanistically
coherent, evidence-supported first-line strategy for CIC with favourable microbiota effects.
