Bulk laxative efficacy of a psyllium seed hydrocolloid and of a mixture of cellulose and pectin.

The cellulose/pectin combination (C/P) investigated in this study is as efficacious as a psyllium seed product widely used as a bulk laxative. Because of its physical characteristics (whiteness, lack of flavor and odor, lack of gelling upon standing), it is easy to use as a component of baked foods, sauces, drinks, stews, and in other recipes. Given its fecal bulking equivalence to the popular psyllium-based products, C/P offers advantages to the patient who takes a bulking agent regularly because of the wide choice of methods of consumption, ensuring better compliance over long periods of time. This cellulose/pectin combination appears to be a viable alternative to the limited choice presently available to the bulk laxative user and could also be used as a plant fiber supplement whenever this is desirable.