Herbaland Prebiotic Fiber Gummies For Adults (Passion Fruit) - 60 Gummies

Fibre

FIBRE - It doesn’t just keep you regular!

Psyllium fibre, a well-known and very commonly used fibre supplement, contains both insoluble and soluble forms of fibre, as do all plant foods. Many people are unfamiliar with what soluble and insoluble fibres really are, and the benefits they have for our health.

Soluble Fibre
Soluble fibre attracts water, dissolves in water and turns into a gel-like substance. The major benefit to soluble fibre is that it slows digestion, thus stabilizing blood sugar by delaying the absorption of glucose. Thus, soluble fibre plays a role in the prevention of diabetes, as well as obesity. By slowing digestion, not only do soluble fibres increase the uptake of minerals and nutrients during digestion, they promote satiety and help to prevent overeating. Psyllium, apples, beans, dried apricots, and oat bran are all excellent sources of soluble fibre.

Insoluble Fibre
Insoluble fibre, in comparison, does not dissolve in water. It acts to increase stool volume, otherwise known as a bulking agent. Insoluble fibre helps to maintain regularity by increasing transit time, promoting regular and healthy bowel contractions. Examples of some sources of insoluble fibre include wheat, corn, rice, vegetables and beans. Insoluble fibre may help to prevent and treat haemorrhoids, varicose veins, and constipation. These fibres also help to promote the removal of toxins through the bowel, before they are given a chance to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, wreaking havoc on the body. It is this action that gives it such an important role in the prevention of colon cell growth, among a myriad of other inflammatory diseases.

Fermentable Fibre
Recently there has been some dispute about the relevance of dividing fibre into soluble and insoluble categories. As an alternative, fibre can be divided in ‘viscous’ and ‘fermentable’. Soluble fibres that are high in inulin or fructo-oligosaccharides, are said to be fermentable. Friendly bacteria in the large intestine ferment these fibres. These fibres can also be called probiotics. They help to stimulate the selective growth of "good" intestinal bacteria (mainly the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species), at the expense of "bad" bacteria. Bacteria like e-coli and clostridium species are also normal and necessary as parts of healthy gut flora, but if overgrown or unopposed, are more likely to cause infection. Another advantage of fermentable bacteria is a fatty acids called butyric acid, produced through the fermentation process and the primary fuel of the large intestine. Other short-chained fatty acids produced by the fermentation process are thought to be responsible for some of the cholesterol lowering properties of fibre. Leeks, onion, garlic, asparagus, jeruselum artichoke and chicory root are all high in inulin.

Viscous fibres
Also primarily associated with soluble fibre, viscous fibres are the cholesterol lowering specialists. These fibres complex with bile acids, which are made by the liver from cholesterol and necessary for proper digestion of fats. After complexing with bile acids, these compounds are the removed from circulation and in turn lower cholesterol levels.

Categories of Dietary Fibre
Cellulose, found in bran, legumes, peas, root vegetables, cabbage family, outer covering of seeds, and apples
Hemicellulose, found in bran and whole grains. Regulates the water content of the stool. It is used as a treatment for weight loss, constipation, and detoxification.
Polyfructoses (Inulin and Oligofructans)
Galactooligosaccharides
Gums, found in oatmeal, barley, and legumes.
Mucilages
Pectins, found in apples, strawberries, and citrus fruits. Pectin slows the absorption of food after meals thereby decreasing the rate at which blood sugar enters the body. Apple pectin binds to fats and bile acids. Thus it is used to prevent gallstones, and lower cholesterol. Citrus pectin has been studied for its ability to remove toxins from the body, reduce side effects from radiation therapy and limit tumour metastasis.
Lignin, found in root vegetables, wheat, fruits with edible seeds (such as strawberries). A fibre that has an affinity for fats and bile acids. It binds to these substances in the intestines and prevents their absorption or desorption into the body. Lignin is used to lower cholesterol, prevent gallstones and treat diabetes.
Resistant Starches, found in ripe bananas, potatoes

Fibres can be added to the diet by increasing your intake of whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables (with skin!) and beans/lentils. If it is still needed, many commercial fibre preparations, each with a unique mix of fibres in tablets, capsules or powder form, are available. Read fibre supplements carefully because some may contain laxatives, making those preparations unsuitable for long-term use. The recommended intake of fibre is anywhere from 25-40 g/day, a goal that can be achieved quite easily if you know how to make the most of your diet. 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast or 3/4 cups of cooked oats have about 6 g of dietary fibre. A cup of spinach has 7 g, while 1/2 of cooked black beans have just fewer than 10 g of fibre.

Fibre – Quick Facts

Food Sources
· Whole Grains, Brown Rice, Agar Agar, Bran, Fresh Fruit, Dried Prunes And Apricots, Nuts, Seeds, Flaxseeds, Psyllium, Chicory, Beans, Lentils, Raw Vegetables.

Applications
· Obesity, Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Constipation, Haemorrhoids, High Cholesterol, Detoxification

Optimum Dosage
· As Directed, Away From Other Supplements Or Medications, With Lots Of Water. (Clinical Doses May Be Higher As Recommended By Your Practitioner).

Works Well With
· Water, Digestive Enzymes, Essential Fatty Acids

Important Information
· Start Fibre Supplementation With Small Doses, And Lots Of Water, Until Your Stool Is The Proper Consistency.
· Fibre Can Compromise The Absorption Of Other Nutrients And Medications If They Are Taken At The Same Time.