| At one point in time, when you went to the health | | | | reviews. One study concluded that people who ate |
| food store you usually only had choice of wheat | | | | the least fiber are 63% more likely to have high |
| bran, which is a good source of the insoluble fiber | | | | levels of CRP (C-reactive protein). CRP is an |
| that helps your digestive system stay on track, or | | | | inflammation marker that is associated with |
| oat bran, which contains the soluble fiber that helps | | | | cardiovascular risk. Another study proved that flax |
| lower cholesterol. Although both of these bran's are | | | | seed improved glucose control. Another fiber source, |
| still popular, as they have good reason to be, | | | | psyllium, has been shown to bring relief to people |
| remaining excellent sources of dietary fiber, these | | | | with Chron's disease, an inflammatory intestinal |
| days store shelves are gathering more and more | | | | disorder. |
| fiber supplements ranging from encapsulated forms | | | | Flax seed and psyllium are two of the best known |
| to powders and specialized to deal with a variety of | | | | types of soluble fiber available, but there are other |
| health concerns. | | | | types that aren't as well known. Others including |
| Insoluble fiber has the ability to draw water into the | | | | arabinogalactan (AG) have been shown to have a |
| intestines, preventing constipation and keeping waste | | | | special affinity for natural killer cells. Beta-glucans are |
| matter from decaying within the body. However, it is | | | | another form of fiber that can help boost immunity. |
| the many types of soluble fiber that science has | | | | Lignans, which are found in flax, have been shown to |
| recently started investigating for health benefits. Part | | | | cause lower breast-cancer rates. Fenugreek is a spice |
| of soluble fiber's value is closely related to its | | | | that is rich in galactomannan, a heart-healthy fiber. |
| mechanical action, as it forms a thick gel within the | | | | Some fiber formulations pair up different kinds of |
| digestive track that moves slowly to stop sugar | | | | fiber with complementary herbs. An example of this |
| from entering the body too quickly, therefore, helping | | | | is Garcinia cambogia and Gymnema sylvestre, which |
| to keep glucose levels down and carrying some fat | | | | can be used for glucose control; or astragalus, |
| and sugar out of the body completely. Additionally, | | | | echinacea, olive leaf, and shiitake to assist the |
| when soluble fibers gel up it helps to reduce blood | | | | immune system. Some supplements even provide |
| level cholesterol by trapping bile preventing the bile | | | | natural enzymes which help prevent bloating. |
| from doing its action (breaking down fats in the | | | | It is, of course, important to eat a healthy and |
| digestive tract so the body can absorb it). Unlike | | | | well-balanced diet. However, thanks to |
| insoluble fiber, soluble fiber undergoes fermentation | | | | supplementation that is designed specifically for |
| inside the colon to produce fatty acids that do a little | | | | certain health concerns, it has become much easier |
| bit of everything, including: helping the body digest | | | | to find the additional fiber that is needed by your |
| food, protecting against polyps, stimulating immunity, | | | | body, no matter what kind of fiber that is. A large |
| increasing mineral absorption, and helping to keep | | | | selection of fiber bran supplements can be found at |
| cholesterol and glucose levels in check. | | | | your local or internet health food store. |
| Soluble fiber is getting large amounts of research | | | | |