Good Intestinal Health Part IV - Fiber Supplements

I saw a curious commercial recently for Benefiber. What was curious about it was how convincing they made the case for their fiber. After all it dissolves completely in whatever you put it in. There's no after taste and it's not gritty. Nutritionally I'm not against what sounds like a perfectly good fiber supplement. My problem with this type of advertising is you are left with the impression, as I was, that their soluble fiber is all you need. This isn't blatantly stated in the commercial but it is implied. Truth be told soluble fiber is extremely important but so is insoluble fiber. Both are necessary because each has very specific jobs. Insoluble fiber: Bulks and binds fecal matter, transports proteins through the intestines, cleanses the intestines. Soluble fiber: Binds and transports material through the body with disposal of excess cholesterol being a chief function. What's more is that soluble fiber tends to ferment in the stomach which produces gas and bloating if the rest of the digestive tract is sluggish, perhaps due to not having enough insoluble fiber in the diet.

So what should a person look for when wanting to supplement their fiber intake? First, be sure it has no chemical ingredients. Chemicals tend to be harsh on the body and could potentially lead to dependence on that chemical to keep the digestive tract moving. The harshness and dependency on any chemical is something that should be avoided. Any fiber supplement taken should be natural with a variety of plant based ingredients. Also, be careful with the overuse of Senna. Senna is a natural laxative that is fine to take in moderation but could prove habit forming if taken for extended periods of time. It is best to not use senna for more than 3 weeks straight without a break. There are plenty of fiber supplements out there with Senna for occasional constipation relief but long term use is discouraged.

Being well rounded in our digestive health is the ultimate goal of this series of posts. A healthy digestive system taking in nutrients and efficiently discarding waste product is the beginning of positive health outcomes for the body, mind and soul. Peaceful, happy stomachs, colons and GI tracts to all!