By James Wilson, DC, ND, PhD
Fiber is often thought of as some blah-tasting uniform mass you have to choke down just for regularity’s sake. Truth is, there are many different kinds of fibers, and an assortment is necessary for good health. Your patients need insoluble fibers, which bulk up and soften stools to maintain regularity, and soluble fibers, which help remove toxins and by-products of digestion that can cause gas, bloating and discomfort.
Think of fibers as tiny brooms and the gut as a big room to clean–there’s a lot of nooks and crannies, so you’ll need different sizes and shapes of brooms to get it clean. Watch out for common supermarket and drugstore fiber: they often contain sweeteners and fillers like maltodextrin and corn syrup solids that can do more harm than good. Here are 8 helpful, multifaceted fibers that work together to help keep your patient’s gut clean and running strong:
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk is the fibrous outer shell of the psyllium plant seed. The husk is high in mucilage, a clear colorless gel that bonds with and absorbs water. This helps keep bowel movements soft and easy to pass, which helps prevent constipation.
Slippery Elm (inner bark)
The inner bark of the Slippery Elm tree is made of durable fibers used for many purposes, including rope making, jewelry, and string for instrument bows. It’s good for the digestive system because of its high levels of mucilage and its ability to gently sweep debris out of the intestines.
Cellulose
Cellulose is a fibrous organic compound found in many things, particularly green plants and algae. This abundant compound acts as a bulking agent for bowel movements, giving feces a texture that holds together and is easy (but not too easy!) to pass.
Rice Bran
Rice bran is the hard layer between the inner rice grain and the outer hull. In addition to containing various helpful antioxidants, rice bran contains a high amount of several types of fibers that can get into those nooks and crannies and keep things clean.
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
FOS are a form of oligosaccharides (a carbohydrate made of simple sugars) that act as a soluble fiber. FOS occur naturally in many vegetables, including onion, artichoke and asparagus. In addition to being an effective fiber, FOS also has known prebiotic benefits and can help with absorption of certain minerals.
Fenugreek Seed
Fenugreek seeds are used internationally to add flavor and nutrients to dishes. In addition to its high fibrous qualities, fenugreek seed has also shown to help with the breakdown and processing of insulin in the digestive system.
Oat Bran
Like rice bran, oat bran is the hard layer sandwiched between the grain and husk. Grains like oat bran are used for many beneficial purposes, from cholesterol management to cardiovascular support. Oat bran is beneficial to the digestive system because of its high concentration of fiber, particularly beta-glucan.
Hemicellulose
Hemicellulose, like cellulose, is a polysaccharide, but is made of shorter glucose chains. Hemicellulose is especially helpful for its prebiotic properties, meaning it can help the feeding and growth of helpful bacteria in the gut.
These beneficial fibers, and much more, can be found in Dr. Wilson’s Squeaky Clean formula.
Original blog by Dr. James Wilson can be found here.
James L. Wilson, DC, ND, PhD, received his Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the University of Arizona, with minors in Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and research in Cellular Immunology. His doctorates in Chiropractic Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine are from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and the Ontario College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM).
As one of the 14 founding members of CCNM, now the largest Naturopathic College in the world, Dr. Wilson has long been on the forefront of alternative medicine. For over twenty-five years, he was in private practice in Canada and the United States. In 1998, Dr. Wilson coined the term ‘adrenal fatigue’ to identify below optimal adrenal function resulting from stress and distinguish it from Addison’s disease.
With a researcher’s grasp of science and a clinician’s understanding of its human impact, Dr. Wilson has helped many physicians understand the physiology behind and treatment of various health conditions. He is acknowledged as an expert on alternative medicine, especially in the area of stress and adrenal function. Dr. Wilson is a respected and sought after lecturer and consultant in the medical and alternative healthcare communities in the United States and abroad.
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