Description

Description

How much fiber do you need each day? The Institute of Medicine, which provides science-based advice on matters of medicine and health, gives the following daily recommendations for adults:

Age 50 or younger    Age 51 or older
Men     38 grams 30 grams
Women    25 grams 21 grams

9 Health Benefits of Fiber

There’s no shortage of research showing how fiber may boost your health. Some of its top potential benefits include:

  1. Blood sugar control: Soluble fiber may help to slow your body’s breakdown of carbohydrates and the absorption of sugar, helping with blood sugar control.
  2. Heart health: An inverse association has been found between fiber intake and heart attack, and research shows that those eating a high-fiber diet have a 40 percent lower risk of heart disease.
  3. Stroke: Researchers have found that for every seven-grams more fiber you consume on a daily basis, your stroke risk is decreased by 7 percent.
  4. Weight loss and management: Fiber supplements have been shown to enhance weight loss among obese people, likely because fiber increases feelings of fullness.
  5. Skin health: Fiber, particularly psyllium husk, may help move yeast and fungus out of your body, preventing them from being excreted through your skin where they could trigger acne or rashes.
  6. Diverticulitis: Dietary fiber (especially insoluble) may reduce your risk of diverticulitis – an inflammation of polyps in your intestine – by 40 percent.
  7. Hemorrhoids: A high-fiber diet may lower your risk of hemorrhoids.
  8. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Fiber may provide some relief from IBS.
  9. Gallstones and kidney stones: A high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of gallstones and kidney stones, likely because of its ability to help regulate blood sugar.

Most people do not get enough fiber from their diet so this is a perfect way to supplement and get the proper amounts!