FIBER BALANCE PLUS
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
- Supports Bowel Regularity
- Helps With Occasional Constipation
- Supports Blood Sugar Balance
- Promotes Healthy Cholesterol Levels
GASTROINTESTINAL SUPPORT
Fiber Balance Plus is a natural ber supplement with a balanced ratio of soluble and insoluble ber to help with occasional constipation and maintain long-term bowel regularity. Themain ingredient in Fiber Balance Plus, psyllium seed husks, is one of the most widely used bers in natural bulk laxatives. Both the psyllium seeds and husks used in Fiber Balance Plus are 100% organic and free of the contaminants often found in other sources of psyllium. In addition to psyllium, Fiber Balance Plus includes rice bran for its glycemic balancing effects and pectin, a soluble ber found in apples. Fig fruit and prune are also included because they contain natural compounds which act as mild colonic stimulants to relieve symptoms of occasional constipation.
Overview
Occasional constipation affects 15-20% of the US population. It can be caused by stress, dehydration, or diet and lifestyle choices. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates in the modern diet, combined with the low presence of fiber, is linked to slowed bowel transit time and altered colonic environment. Dietary fiber, the indigestible part of plant foods, enables smooth bowel movements, prevents occasional constipation, and promotes healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microflora balance. Other effects of fiber depend on the type (soluble or insoluble).
Soluble Fiber†
Soluble fiber (viscous fiber) partially dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gastrointestinal tract that slows the absorption of glucose, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar balance. It has also been shown to bind cholesterol in the GI tract, which helps support healthy cholesterol levels sense of evacuation completeness, while reducing defecation effort. A randomized controlled trial found psyllium to have a significant effect among those with bowel irregularity and discomfort. After three months, symptom severity in the psyllium group was reduced by 90 points, compared with 49 in the placebo group. 4 The laxative effect and gut- stimulatory effect of psyllium has been purported to be facilitated partially by muscarinic and 5-HT(4) receptor activation, which complements the laxative effect of psyllium’s fiber content. 4 In addition, studies have also found that a 15 g dose of psyllium given three times per day before meals promotes healthy blood sugar and blood lipid levels. 5,6
Rice Bran
In one animal study, giving 10 g per day of rice bran, including water soluble rice bran and rice bran fiber concentrates, resulted in significantly enhanced blood sugar balance and fasting blood sugar and lipid levels were maintained in the normal range. 7 The extracts of rice bran have also been found to support cardiovascular health, a balanced inflammatory response and a healthy colonic environment.
Apple Pectin
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed consumption of several grams a day of pectin promotes healthy blood fats and maintains cholesterol levels already within a normal range. 9 Liver fat concentrations have been found to be lower in rats fed diets containing apple pectin. Fecal bile acid excretion was also found to be reduced, and sterol excretion significantly increased with the addition of pectin. Rats fed pectin-rich diets also had lower levels of certain blood fats than controls.
Fig (Ficus carica†)
The phytochemical properties of Fig’s laxative effect are due to the bulk of seeds and fibers. 11 In a double-blind, randomized controlled study of 20 patients with occasional functional bowel irregularity, supplementation with fig fruit increased frequency, reduced defecation time, improved abdominal comfort and heightened a sense of complete evacuation. Fig fruit supplementation also improved the symptoms of occasional irregularity, 12 and the fruit has also been shown to maintain bulk in those with loose stools. 13
Prune (Prunus domestica†
Prunes or dried prunes contain 6.1 g of dietary fiber per 100 g, as well as large amounts of phenolic compounds which may aid in their efficacy for occasional constipation and glycemic support. The phenolic compounds in prunes have been found to inhibit oxidation of certain blood fat components in vitro, and thus may protect against oxidative damage. In addition, prunes have a high concentration of potassium and have been.
Overview
Occasional constipation affects 15-20% of the US population. It can be caused by stress, dehydration, or diet and lifestyle choices. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates in the modern diet, combined with the low presence of fiber, is linked to slowed bowel transit time and altered colonic environment. Dietary fiber, the indigestible part of plant foods, enables smooth bowel movements, prevents occasional constipation, and promotes healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microflora balance. Other effects of fiber depend on the type (soluble or insoluble).
Fiber Balance Plus is a natural ber supplement with a balanced ratio of soluble and insoluble ber to help with occasional constipation and maintain long-term bowel regularity. Themain ingredient in Fiber Balance Plus, psyllium seed husks, is one of the most widely used bers in natural bulk laxatives. Both the psyllium seeds and husks used in Fiber Balance Plus are 100% organic and free of the contaminants often found in other sources of psyllium. In addition to psyllium, Fiber Balance Plus includes rice bran for its glycemic balancing effects and pectin, a soluble ber found in apples. Fig fruit and prune are also included because they contain natural compounds which act as mild colonic stimulants to relieve symptoms of occasional constipation.
Overview
Occasional constipation affects 15-20% of the US population. It can be caused by stress, dehydration, or diet and lifestyle choices. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates in the modern diet, combined with the low presence of fiber, is linked to slowed bowel transit time and altered colonic environment. Dietary fiber, the indigestible part of plant foods, enables smooth bowel movements, prevents occasional constipation, and promotes healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microflora balance. Other effects of fiber depend on the type (soluble or insoluble).
Soluble Fiber†
Soluble fiber (viscous fiber) partially dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gastrointestinal tract that slows the absorption of glucose, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar balance. It has also been shown to bind cholesterol in the GI tract, which helps support healthy cholesterol levels sense of evacuation completeness, while reducing defecation effort. A randomized controlled trial found psyllium to have a significant effect among those with bowel irregularity and discomfort. After three months, symptom severity in the psyllium group was reduced by 90 points, compared with 49 in the placebo group. 4 The laxative effect and gut- stimulatory effect of psyllium has been purported to be facilitated partially by muscarinic and 5-HT(4) receptor activation, which complements the laxative effect of psyllium’s fiber content. 4 In addition, studies have also found that a 15 g dose of psyllium given three times per day before meals promotes healthy blood sugar and blood lipid levels. 5,6
Rice Bran
In one animal study, giving 10 g per day of rice bran, including water soluble rice bran and rice bran fiber concentrates, resulted in significantly enhanced blood sugar balance and fasting blood sugar and lipid levels were maintained in the normal range. 7 The extracts of rice bran have also been found to support cardiovascular health, a balanced inflammatory response and a healthy colonic environment.
Apple Pectin
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed consumption of several grams a day of pectin promotes healthy blood fats and maintains cholesterol levels already within a normal range. 9 Liver fat concentrations have been found to be lower in rats fed diets containing apple pectin. Fecal bile acid excretion was also found to be reduced, and sterol excretion significantly increased with the addition of pectin. Rats fed pectin-rich diets also had lower levels of certain blood fats than controls.
Fig (Ficus carica†)
The phytochemical properties of Fig’s laxative effect are due to the bulk of seeds and fibers. 11 In a double-blind, randomized controlled study of 20 patients with occasional functional bowel irregularity, supplementation with fig fruit increased frequency, reduced defecation time, improved abdominal comfort and heightened a sense of complete evacuation. Fig fruit supplementation also improved the symptoms of occasional irregularity, 12 and the fruit has also been shown to maintain bulk in those with loose stools. 13
Prune (Prunus domestica†
Prunes or dried prunes contain 6.1 g of dietary fiber per 100 g, as well as large amounts of phenolic compounds which may aid in their efficacy for occasional constipation and glycemic support. The phenolic compounds in prunes have been found to inhibit oxidation of certain blood fat components in vitro, and thus may protect against oxidative damage. In addition, prunes have a high concentration of potassium and have been.
Overview
Occasional constipation affects 15-20% of the US population. It can be caused by stress, dehydration, or diet and lifestyle choices. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates in the modern diet, combined with the low presence of fiber, is linked to slowed bowel transit time and altered colonic environment. Dietary fiber, the indigestible part of plant foods, enables smooth bowel movements, prevents occasional constipation, and promotes healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microflora balance. Other effects of fiber depend on the type (soluble or insoluble).