pokiedot
09-22-2004, 11:42 AM
Does it harm your body to take daily fiber supplements? I know that laxatives are bad but is fiber ok to take? Following a low-carb diet I just don't get enough fiber. Anyone know?
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auntjudyg
09-22-2004, 12:18 PM
There are plenty of people out there who have been told by their doctor to take a fiber supplement everyday indefinitely. Atkins recommends in his book using it while the body adjusts to the new regime. Atkins also recommends nutrient dense foods for the allowed carb count which also would include some high fiber veggies (like kale).
Michael01
09-22-2004, 05:29 PM
Taking fiber supplements is safe. I've been taking them for the past year. The one that I use has oat bran fiber, psyllium, citrus fiber, soy fiber, rice bran, apple pectin plus cabbage/carrot/broccoli/prune. These are all healthy foods yet have lots of important fiber. Plus it's a bargain at 100 capsules for $5.97. They recommend 3 capsules with 8 oz. water. Avoid laxatives. All natural is best.
isolated one
09-22-2004, 05:37 PM
Natural fiber supplements are not true laxatives even though they are classified as such. Laxatives increase bowel movements and constant use will make your colon depend on them for going to the bathroom. Fiber promotes regularity and many people, including myself, use it every day. However, I'm not so sure about the safety of the "synthetic" fiber supplements. They've become more and more popular only because of the taste or how convenient they are to take.
Kime
09-22-2004, 08:24 PM
A good way to get fiber and some omega 3 oils at the same time is to grind 1 tablespoon of flax seed in a coffee grinder and mix it with a cup of water and chug it down before it has a chance to jell. This is my favorite fiber "supplement."
Gopherhead
09-22-2004, 08:36 PM
Just make sure you dont take those fibre supplements along with other supplements or medicines; wait 2 hours either before or after to take fiber (or other supplements). The fibre will slow and stop the absorption of minerals / medicines.
Nat
Nat
Michael01
09-23-2004, 08:16 AM
Nat, you're absolutely correct about taking fiber supplements away from meals and vitamins. I should have mentioned this in my post. I take fiber supplements just before bedtime long after I've eaten or taken supplements which is usually in the morning. Also, there's an All-Bran cereal that contains psyllium. It's extremely high in fiber. This could easily replace the fiber supplement plus it contains many vitamins and minerals plus helps to lower bad cholesterol. Check it out.
Harry
10-02-2004, 04:39 PM
A person needs 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily for their gastrointestinal system to function properly and it needs to be balanced between soluble and insoluble fiber.
Taking a water soluble fiber like Metamucil twice daily is safe and is a bulking agent and will help a person on a low carb diet be regular. It contains psyllium as the active ingredient. It use to be called a bowel regulator but now it is called a natrual fiber laxative.
Being natrual it is brokendown by intestinal bacteria -- ferments and produces gas but with continued use --the gas will go away. Make sure you drink enough water as the directions say!!!
I take it twice daily and have for 20 years or so and take it right after breakfast and after supper. Also I have not found that it interfears with any nutrient, supplement or medicine absorption.
Taking a water soluble fiber like Metamucil twice daily is safe and is a bulking agent and will help a person on a low carb diet be regular. It contains psyllium as the active ingredient. It use to be called a bowel regulator but now it is called a natrual fiber laxative.
Being natrual it is brokendown by intestinal bacteria -- ferments and produces gas but with continued use --the gas will go away. Make sure you drink enough water as the directions say!!!
I take it twice daily and have for 20 years or so and take it right after breakfast and after supper. Also I have not found that it interfears with any nutrient, supplement or medicine absorption.