Increasing Fiber By Using High Fiber Supplements
Many people need or want to increase the fiber in their diet. People who have heart disease, diabetes and a risk of some types of cancer will all benefit from a high fiber diet. Medical professionals often advise their patients to increase their fiber for a healthier life. People are usually eager to follow this advice since anytime someone tells a person they need to eat more of something it is good news. But people are not always willing or able to eat foods that are high in fiber. Using high fiber supplements in these cases may be the answer.
There are many high fiber supplements on the market today. Metamucil, Citrucel, and Benefiber are names that most people have heard of for high fiber supplements. These three and many more brands come in several styles for the consumer to choose from. A person may choose a powder, a tablet, a wafer, or a high fiber bar. The choice is simply a matter of taste.
People who use the powders often mix them in some type of juice and have them with breakfast each morning. The tablets can be taken when other medications are taken so they are easy to remember. The wafers or bars are great for a snack each day in that they are very filling but not very fattening. If a person is concerned over which brand or type of high fiber supplement to take they should ask their physician for a recommendation.
High Fiber Supplements Versus High Fiber Foods
The problem with high fiber supplements is that they do not contain the nutritional value of high fiber foods. As with any dietary supplement it is better to eat the food than take the supplement. The human body is made to absorb nutrients and use the fiber in the foods we eat. Sometimes a person will still need more fiber in their diet or they do not like the foods which will give them a high fiber diet.
A high fiber supplement can be mixed with vitamin and mineral supplements to help achieve the nutritional needs. A person with serious health issues in these areas will need to see their doctor and probably a registered dietician for the best advice. The doctor can identify through examination and laboratory work what might be missing from a person’s diet and a dietician can offer recommendations for how to have an adequate intake of the missing nutrients.