Fiber Supplements
What is it?
Dietary fiber is the term given to plant foods that the human digestive system cannot digest. There are many different types of dietary fiber, and including these in your diet is one of the most important ways to help your digestive system to function efficiently.
What it does in the body
Benefits include lower blood cholesterol levels,1 which reduces the risk of heart disease, and a reduction in the formation of cancer-causing compounds in the gut. Fiber also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Therapeutic uses of supplements
While fiber supplements do not substitute for a high fiber diet, they may be useful in certain circumstances. Fiber supplements are available in several forms, such as psyllium seed, oat bran, rice bran, guar gum and flaxseeds. They are used to treat constipation, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome2 and obesity.