Increasing fiber intake through vegetables and psyllium husk is key to preventing constipation on low-carb diets. Understand the benefits of soluble vs. insoluble fiber for boosting metabolism and maintaining long-term kidney health.
Diverticulitis is a condition characterized by inflammation or infection in abnormal pouches or sacs in the lining of the large intestine. People with this disorder commonly have an insufficient intake of dietary fiber.
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A high-fiber diet is healthy, with the Colorado State University Extension recommending that adults eat at least 14 g of fiber per day for every 1,000 calories in their diet. High amounts of dietary fiber do not cause rectal bleeding, but a fiber-rich diet prevents certain conditions that cause this problem.
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Fiber bars contain a large dose of an essential nutrient, but they can also give you bloating, gas, cramping or, in the most severe cases, diarrhea.
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Although fruits supply vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, they sometimes get a bad rap for being high in a natural sugar called fructose. This type of sugar is also found in many sweet treats and can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar.
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When you think of dietary fiber – the indigestible carbohydrates found in virtually every fruit, vegetable, grain, nut, seed or other plant-based food – you probably picture crisp apple skin, chewy oatmeal flakes or stringy bits of celery.
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You’ve been adding ground flaxseed to your diet to reap the health benefits of this tiny seed, including prevention of high cholesterol and heart disease, management of menopausal symptoms, and even protection against some cancers. But you’ve also noticed an uptick in your discomfort from gas and bloating.
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Cracked wheat is made by cutting or crushing whole raw wheat berries (kernels) into small pieces. Bulgur is cracked wheat that has been partially cooked. Cracked wheat has all the benefits of wheat flour, and since it contains the outer bran and germ of the wheat, it provides some additional benefits as well.
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Understand how psyllium husk works as a natural laxative, preventing constipation and diarrhea, while also treating conditions like colon cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases.
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A diet high in soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol and promote healthy blood sugar levels. As the name suggests, this type of fiber dissolves in water, where it forms a sticky, gel-like substance that helps slow digestion. Insoluble fiber is another type of fiber.
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Sure, a low-carb diet can help you slim down and reach your fitness goals, but it's not always effective for keeping you regular. Thankfully, simply making a few tweaks -- including getting more fiber and water -- can get you back to normal.
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Constipation occurs when you have fewer than three bowel movements per week or your bowel movements are hard, dry and difficult to pass. It's an uncomfortable situation often accompanied by bloating.
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Psyllium husk is a rich source of fiber. This nutrient plays a key role in bowel health by increasing the bulk of stool to help it move through the intestines.
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Irritated bowels -- more commonly known as irritable bowel syndrome -- are considered a functional gastrointestinal disorder. This means the symptoms of IBS affect how your GI tract works, but there's no intestinal damage.
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Guava is a tropical fruit roughly the size of a tennis ball. Depending on the variety, the color of a guava is pale green or yellow. When ripe, the flesh of a peeled guava is reddish in color, and the flavor is sweet and refreshing.
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The recommended intake of dietary fiber is 14 g per 1,000 calories consumed. That translates into a need for 25 to 35 g of fiber per day in a typical diet. If you plan to increase your fiber intake, do so over a two to three week period to allow your body to adjust to the change.
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Flaxseed is a dietary supplement often used for its laxative properties. Ground flaxseeds contain soluble fiber that may improve bowel regularity. However, when taken in excess ground flaxseeds can cause constipation. In some cases, constipation is severe enough to obstruct the intestines or bowels.
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Carbohydrates can be divided into several categories: monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Chemically speaking, the prefix before “saccharides” indicates how many saccharide chains are attached to the molecule.
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Cellulose is one reason vegetables are good for your health. It’s a natural dietary fiber that keeps your digestive tract in good working condition and may help prevent some intestinal diseases.
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When you need a fiber supplement or a laxative, Metamucil and Benefiber are two good choices. They’re made from different ingredients, but both products consist of natural soluble fiber, which prevents or relieves constipation and may help lower cholesterol.
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There are two different types of fiber – soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber, also known as roughage, does not dissolve in water, and therefore passes through the intestinal tract intact. Soluble fiber absorbs excess water in the colon, helping to regulate your system.
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