Different forms of dietary fiber supplements and why they are beneficial.
Fiber is a carbohydrate which cannot be broken down by digestive enzymes. The bulk or fibrous parts of vegetables, fruits, and grains is the fiber. Some fiber is digested in the intestines. This is called soluble fiber. Non soluble fiber is not digested, and is only excreted by the large intestines.
What is their importance?
Fiber absorbs water in the intestines, and binds to certain chemicals thereby eliminating them from the body. Fiber keeps your colon clean, so fecal matter which contains dozens of different bacteria which can be harmful are evacuated. This leads to many digestive diseases simply because we don't eat enough fiber in our diets.
Fiber helps lower blood cholesterol levels, prevents constipation, edema, and other diseases of the colon like diverticulitis. Soluble fiber like the kind found in Apples, known as apple pectin are good for the gall bladder, helping to keep the bile flowing. Lentils are a good source of soluble fiber. Deadly diseases such as colon cancer have been linked to a diet consisting of not enough fiber, so eating good amounts of vegetables, fruits, lentils, and whole grains if you can digest it is needed for a healthy colon.
Constipation
Sometimes the pipes don't flow smoothly. This can result in pencil sized stools, small pebbles, to nothing at all. Regardless, the result is always sitting on the porcelain straining. This can result into anal fissures, and hemorrhoids. Something no one wants, getting plenty of fiber in our diets can prevent all of these uncomfortable conditions.
The FDA recommends we get at least 25 grams of fiber daily. Many cereals contain fiber, however I don't recommend these because they almost always contain one of the most addicting drugs ever known to society, sugar.
Dietary fiber is best obtained from fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruits like Apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, and more contain plenty of fiber. Apples are probably the best fruit for dietary fiber, containing apple pectin which is a soluble form of fiber. Many fruits have pectin. Vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, callaloo contain good amounts of ruffage, which is a good form of non soluble fiber providing a good cleaning for your intestines.
Dietary Fiber Supplements
There are many brands of dietary fiber supplements, but most of them fall into the same category. Psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is a non soluble form of fiber, derived from a grain commonly found in India. It is extremely abundant and relatively cheap. Metamucil uses this form of fiber in their products, and most others. Psyllium thickens in water which makes it good for cleaning the intestines, and resorting regularity.
Combined colon cleansing products:
Buyer beware should be the notice. The reason is simple a good diet is the best form of dietary fiber supplements. However in the world of the mighty dollar cheap products come out of the warehouse with an expensive price tag along with it. Some are good, and not needed at the same time. For instance: Blessed Herbs. They sell a colon cleansing kit for over 80 dollars. Highly expensive, however they show grotesque pictures of people showing these long chains of fecal matter all in a long chain. Pictures like this and testimonials that say:
Followed the program, and have tons of energy, and feel great. Or I lost ten pounds. Etc..
Firstly anyone that lost any weight was water weight, and some fecal matter which was excreted due to the psyllium husk, bentonite clay, and apple pectin, along with some herbs that stimulate smooth muscle activity of the intestines stimulating bowel movements. The long chains are nothing more than lumped up clay, and the gross out images is really the intestinal mucosa.
I know of someone who used this product, and was constantly running to the bathroom. After it was all over they talked about how "great" they felt, and why everyone should use it, etc... Then a week later they were back to the same lethargic, low energy feeling from having a poor diet.
My point? Many products do work, but having a good diet rich in nutrients is all you need to have good colon health. Eat the right foods and you will receive enough dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins without dietary fiber supplements. However if you do need to clean out the pipes, just go to the store and get some psyllium husk, preferably by itself, without added sugar. There are many brands to choose from. If you are allergic then Miralax, or magnesium sulfate are good alternatives.
