Dietary fiber promotes regularity and cleansing of the digestive tract. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, women should consume more than 20 g of fiber each day, while men should set 30 g of fiber as their daily minimal target. Fiber supplements are available for persons who do not meet their daily needs for fiber. Drink 8 oz. of water when taking a fiber supplement to avoid constipation and gas.
Fiber Choice
Fiber Choice is a fiber supplement that contains inulin, the same type of soluble fiber that is found in fruits and vegetables. Fiber Choice offers a variety of chewable tablets--fiber tablets, fiber plus calcium tablets, fiber plus multivitamin tablets and fiber plus weight management tablets. The fiber plus weight management tablets are sugar free and contain green tea powder. Two tablets contain 3 g of fiber and are the company's daily recommended dosage. Tablets are offered in a variety of flavors--strawberry, orange and berry.
Metamucil
Metamucil fiber supplements offer two types of fiber. The fiber capsules, powdered drink mixes and the wafers contain psyllium fiber, a fiber that is taken from the seeds of the plantago psyllium plant, a plant native to Iran and India. The United States Food and Drug Administration acknowledged psyllium fiber plays a role in lowering blood cholesterol levels, as well as providing dietary fiber. Metamucil Clear and Natural is a clear and tasteless powder that contains inulin fiber, the same soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables. Powdered drink mixes are available in berry, orange and pink lemonade flavors. Each product's serving size contains 3 g of fiber.
Benefiber
Benefiber's fiber source is wheat dextrin, a natural soluble fiber. Original Benefiber is tasteless, dissolves in noncarbonated drinks and does not thicken in water. Sprinkle Benefiber into food while cooking and it will provide the same fiber benefits that it does when mixed with a drink. Heat does not alter the product and it has a shelf life of two years. Benefiber products include the original powder and flavored powdered beverage mixes (cherry pomegranate, raspberry tea, kiwi strawberry). Chewable fiber tablets, fiber tablets plus calcium, fiber caplets and fiber caplets plus B vitamins and folic acid are all fiber supplements offered by Benefiber. A dosage of any of Benefiber's supplements contains 3 g of fiber.
Facts About Fiber Supplements
Consult with your doctor before adding a fiber supplement to your diet if you have diabetes or are taking medications. Fiber supplements may reduce blood sugar levels and affect a diabetic's insulin needs. Fiber supplements may decrease absorption of aspirin, carbamazepine and warfarin.
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