There are two types of dietary fiber - soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber acts like a sponge; it absorbs water and moves solid waste out of the intestines. It is found mainly in whole grains and on the outside of seeds, fruits, and legumes. Soluble fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, brown rice, barley, oats and oat bran. It forms a gel when mixed with liquid producing a softer stool. It also prevents and reduces the absorption of certain substances from the intestines into the bloodstream. Also: Insoluble Fiber, Insoluble Fibers, Soluble Fiber, Soluble Fibers

	Arabinogalactans As A Treatment "...Because of its potent biological activity and immune-enhancing properties, this unique dietary fiber is receiving increased attention as a clinically useful nutraceutical agent..." Atherosclerosis Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption "...Eating fruits high in the soluble fiber pectin has also been linked with reduced cholesterol levels, which protects against atherosclerosis..." Bacterial Dysbiosis The Condition "...Putrefaction dysbiosis results from diets high in fat and animal flesh and low in insoluble fiber..." Bladderwrack As A Treatment "...Fucoidan is a type of dietary fiber in bladderwrack that contains numerous sulfur groups..." Colon Cancer Recommendation Arabinogalactans "The longest recognized use of Larch Arabinogalactan is probably as a source of dietary fiber..." Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption "...For years, dietary fiber has been promoted by nutrition researchers and practitioners for colon cancer prevention..." Consequences of Gallbladder Surgery Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Dietary fiber (which is only present in plant foods) will combine and deactivate bile acids, thus protecting the bowel..." Constipation The Condition "...Chronic constipation is usually due to diet, colon health problems, insufficient dietary fiber and roughage, a sedentary lifestyle, ignoring defecation urges, or frequent traveling..." Recommendation Supplemental Fiber "...It is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber..." Coronary Disease / Heart Attack Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "...In particular, soluble fiber alters and lowers fat and cholesterol absorption in the large bowel, helping to reduce LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol..." Diabetes Type II Our Question about level of legume consumption "...Legumes are rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to help improve insulin resistance, the study authors note..." Recommendation Increased Legume Consumption "...Legumes are rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to help improve insulin resistance, the study authors note..." Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "...Both soluble and insoluble fibers delay the emptying of food from the stomach, slow the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, and thus moderate insulin levels..." Recommendation Supplemental Fiber "...Researchers studied 13 diabetes patients whose daily dietary fiber intake was 50gm and recorded reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, pre- and post-meal glucose levels, and measures of insulin sensitivity compared to those on a 24gm per day diet..." Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption "...On the other hand, a diet rich in the soluble fiber found in fruit may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, despite the high carbohydrate content of most fruit..." Diarrhea Recommendation Bladderwrack "Alginic acid (a component of bladderwrack) is a type of dietary fiber that can be used to help relieve constipation and diarrhea..." Diverticular Disease Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "...Both soluble and insoluble fibers are important in helping to maintain regular bowel movements..." Fat/Oil Craving Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Foods high in dietary fiber such as bran cereals and wholemeal breads are suggested as ideal tools for dampening a fat craving..." Gallbladder Disease Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Dietary fiber from cellulose (soluble fiber) clearly reduces the risk of gallstone formation..." Giardiasis Infection The Condition "...This diet will ensure adequate amounts of lignins and insoluble and soluble fibers are consumed, which can increase mucin production in the small bowel, sequester bile acids, and help to mechanically sweep trophozoites out of the small intestine..." Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "...Dietary fiber probably plays an important role in the clearance of giardia infection..." Hemorrhoids Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Both soluble and insoluble fibers are important in helping to maintain regular bowel movements..." High Total Cholesterol Our Question about level of legume consumption "...Legumes are rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to help lower total cholesterol and LDL (''bad'') cholesterol levels, the study authors note..." Recommendation Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption "Soluble fiber from fruit pectin has lowered cholesterol levels in most trials..." Recommendation Increased Legume Consumption "...Legumes are rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to help lower total cholesterol and LDL (''bad'') cholesterol levels, the study authors note..." High/Increased Fiber Diet As A Treatment "...Source Soluble fiber consists of the plant's sticky components, including pectins, gum, and mucilage..." Hypertension (High Blood PRessure) Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "...Consumption of high-fiber cereals is an easy and simple way for a person to increase total and soluble fiber intakes, thus helping to reach the dietary fiber goal of 25-30gm per day..." Hypoglycemia Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Soluble fiber delays gastric emptying, slows glucose absorption, and minimizes blood glucose swings..." IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Recommendation High/Increased Fiber Diet "Dietary fiber may lessen IBS symptoms in many cases..." Inadequate Fiber Intake The Condition "...Adults need 25-35gm of dietary fiber each day, yet the majority of us only get half this amount..." IP6 - Inositol Hexaphosphate As A Treatment "...Source IP6 is associated with dietary fiber and thus is naturally present in a wide variety of plant foods, especially wheat bran, whole grains and legumes..." Psyllium As A Treatment "...Uses would include chronic constipation, stool softening (hemorrhoids, post-rectal surgery), irritable bowel syndrome, and to increase dietary fiber..." Stomach Cancer Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "...The researchers found that plant-based nutrients such as dietary fiber, dietary beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B6 were associated with lower risk of these kinds of cancers..." Supplemental Fiber As A Treatment "...Dietary fiber is important to human health and nutrition because of its role in regulating glucose and cholesterol absorption, detoxification/elimination, and promoting healthy bowel function by..."

Last updated: Oct 08, 2008