TUCSON, ARIZ. — A homemade stool-bulking agent was just as effective as commercial psyllium in relieving symptoms of constipation in a randomized trial conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
The recipe containing applesauce, unprocessed wheat bran, and prune juice cost about half as much as a commercial psyllium product, Konsyl, reported Dr. Peter Drewes and his associates from the medical center in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.
Constipation is a problem for 4.5 million Americans, particularly older women, the authors noted. It is the primary reason for 2.5 million physician visits and drives the sale of $800 million in over-the-counter products each year.
Participants for the trial were drawn from patients presenting to the university's urogynecology clinic who met Rome II criteria for constipation (at least 12 weeks in the prior 12 months of at least two symptoms, including fewer than three defecations/week, straining, hard stools, and incomplete evacuation).
A total of 82 patients were randomized and 53 completed the 6-week study, including 30 randomized to take 1 teaspoon of psyllium in 8 ounces of liquid daily for 6 weeks or 4 tablespoons a day of the bowel recipe.
All of the participants received educational information on how dietary choices and fluids can influence constipation. They all kept bowel diaries.
Results were calculated using pre- and posttrial scores on a 30-point constipation scoring system, with a higher score indicating more severe constipation.
Constipation was relieved in both groups, with scores declining from 13.9 to 9.0 for the psyllium users and 13.6 to 8.5 for the recipe users during the 6-week trial.
The cost of 6 weeks' worth of the bowel recipe was $8.65, compared with $16.72 for the commercial psyllium product.
The authors of the poster concluded that the homemade recipe was “an effective and economical stool bulking agent for the treatment of constipation.”
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The Pantry Solution
1 cup applesauce
1 cup coarse, unprocessed wheat bran
1/4 cup prune juice
Source: Dr. Drewes