Fiber is an important part of your diet, derived primarily from grains, fruits and vegetables. With certain temporary or chronic digestive conditions, however, your doctor may advise you to follow a low-fiber diet.

Fiber is an essential component of a balanced diet. It's present in all plants and can't be digested by the human body, so instead of providing nutrients, it actively bulks up stool to make it easier to pass through the digestive system.

Psyllium has gained attention as a potent source of cholesterol-reducing, bowel-enhancing fiber. Psyllium is a soluble fiber that comes from a shrub-like herb, Plantago psyllium, grown primarily in India.

Diabetics benefit doubly from a diet of high-fiber food sources that help to control both weight and blood sugar levels. Many diabetics must count and limit the amount of carbohydrates they eat in order to keep blood sugar levels within a safe range.

Psyllium fiber is a soluble fiber derived from a shrublike plant called plantago ovata. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this plant yields up to 15,000 seeds, which are used to produce psyllium fiber. It is frequently used as a laxative, and is included in products such as Metamucil.

High fiber foods stimulate the bowel, which can cause diarrhea. According to the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, a low fiber diet is better tolerated with diarrhea because it will not stimulate the bowel as much and it will be easier to digest.

If your doctor has advised you to add more fiber to your diet in the form of psyllium, you’re probably wondering how to add it to your favorite foods to experience more overall bowel regularity and possibly lower cholesterol levels.

Metamucil, also known by the generic name psyllium, is a bulk-forming laxative used to treat constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives work by absorbing liquids in the intestines and swelling up, thus causing the formation of an easy to pass, bulky stool. Metamucil is available in powder, granule and wafer form.

While many people know that fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, the average American consumes just 15 grams a day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health -- far less than the recommended 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.

Dietary fiber is essential for a child's overall health and well-being. According to MayoClinic.com, fiber helps to normalize bowel movements, maintain normal cholesterol levels, prevent diabetes and promote a healthy weight.

When you are suffering from longstanding or chronic diarrhea, such as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, fiber supplements can play a key role in halting the diarrhea. According to gastroenterologist Dr. Paul McNeely, "

Flaxseed is a rich store of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid and lignan--a powerful antioxidant. Flax oil does not contain the beneficial lignans and eating the seeds, ground or whole, will give you benefits.