You probably aren't getting enough fiber in your diet. A 2005 study in the journal "Nutrition" concluded most Americans get half the recommended amount of 25 to 38 g of fiber. If you're on a low-carb diet such as Atkins, the study showed, your odds are even worse. Fiber keeps you satiated and lessens insulin's impact, so you burn fat rather than store it. Even if you eat plenty of low-carb fibrous foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts and seeds, you most likely aren't meeting your fiber quota. A fiber supplement can help.
Super Seed: High Fiber for Low Carb Diets
Super Seed, a fiber supplement from Garden of Life, contains 14 sprouted grains, seeds and legumes to provide 6 g of fiber. It also goes "beyond fiber," as it claims on the container, to provide 6 g of protein, 1.1 g omega-3 fatty acids from flax and chia seeds, and cinnamon. Super Seed contains 20 mg stevia, a natural sweetener that does not raise insulin levels. Because your body does not digest fiber, you can subtract it from the 9 g carbohydrate count, yielding just 3 net carbs. This makes Super Seed perfect for even the most carb-restricted diet.
Soluble and Insoluble Fibers
Super Seed offers a blend of 4 g of insoluble fiber and 1 g of soluble fiber per serving. Fibrous foods contain a similar ratio of both fibers. Soluble fiber binds water and creates a gel, which slows digestion and steadies glucose levels. Insoluble fiber provides a bulkier stool and helps food move more quickly through your digestive tract. It can eliminate the constipation you might experience on a low-carb diet.
Beyond Fiber for Additional Glucose Control
Super Seed also contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids, cinnamon and probiotics. They can help control blood sugar levels so you're more likely to burn than store fat. A 2005 study in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," for instance, concluded a high-protein diet can improve glucose control in type 2 diabetes. And a 2009 systematic review in "Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism" concluded cinnamon can reduce postprandial blood-sugar levels. A systematic review in the journal "Heart" showed alpha-linolenic acid, the omega-3 in Super Seed, can decrease fasting glucose levels. Super Seed also contains a probiotic blend for added gut support. A 2009 study in the "European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics" concluded probiotics can help lower glucose levels.
Precautions
You can mix a scoop of Super Seed into water or a smoothie. Drink it immediately, as fiber expands in water. If you're just beginning a fiber supplement, start gradually with 1/2 scoop of Super Seed and work up to a full scoop. Drink extra water when you consume Super Seed or any fiber supplement. As a precaution, always check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
References
- "Nutrition"; Dietary Fiber and Body Weight; J.L. Slavin; March 2005
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; An Increase in Dietary Protein Improves the Blood Glucose Response...; M.C. Gannon, et al.; October 2003
- "Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism"; The Potential of Cinnamon to Reduce Blood Glucose Levels...; S. Kirkham, et al.; December 2009
- "Heart"; Effect of Alpha Linolenic Acid on Cardiovascular Risk Markers; E. Wendland, et al.; February 2006
- "European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics"; Probiotic Treatment Reduces Blood Glucose Levels...; H. Al-Salami, et al.; April-June 2008
- Super Seed Info
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