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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Psyllium comes from the husks of tiny, gel-coated seeds of Plantago ovate, a shrub-like herb found commonly in India. Doctors use psyllium husk to treat constipation, diarrhea and other intestinal problems.