subject: Choosing The Right Fibre Supplement For Your Diet [print this page] It is increasingly known that an abundant source of natural fibre is an essential part of a healthy diet, and a growing segment of the public is turning to fibre supplements to ensure a healthy digestive tract. Thankfully, most fibre supplements have a long history of safe use and have been proven to be very effective at improving one's overall digestion. Here is what you need to know about the three most common fibre supplements: psyllium husk, inulin and glucomannan.
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk is perhaps the most well-known supplementary source of natural dietary fibre and is the active ingredient in popular fibre supplements like Metamucil, Fybogel and Serutan. This fibre supplement is used to treat a wide range of common digestive ailments like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also used to assist daily digestion in healthy individuals by providing the gastrointestinal tract with a steady volume of bulky matter. Psyllium husks are harvested from the seeds of the psyllum plant, also known as Plantago ovato. These seed husks are made out of a water soluble material that becomes large and slimy when exposed to water, which makes them an excellent source of dietary fibre that is effective regardless of a person's diet or current medical condition.
Inulin
While psyllium husks are only harvested from one species of plant, inulin is a relatively common fibre that is found the tubers and roots of many different plants. Inulin is used by plants to store energy throughout the year and is only found in plants that do not contain starch. Inulin is a source of water soluble natural fibre that has a number of other useful health benefits. Unlike some fibre supplements, inulin has very little effect on a person's blood sugar, which makes it an excellent source of dietary fibre for individuals who are living with diabetes. Inulin also has properties that help the metabolism absorb calcium and magnesium more effectively.
Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a somewhat less common source of dietary fibre that has been marketed by several different companies under different brand names as remedies for many different conditions. Glucomannan is usually harvested from the roots of the konjac plant, which is a hardy perennial native to Southeast Asia that is used in a number of different types of regional cuisines. Numerous government and consumer agencies have stated that many of the purported health benefits offered by glucomannan are over-exaggerated. While the dietary fibre contained in glucomannan is water soluble, this material does not dissolve as quickly as most natural fibres. Both the United States Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have issued warning concerning choking hazards and improper advertising for products containing glucomannan.
by: Ted Brumby
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
