The Top 5 Fiber Supplements of 2017

Fiber is one of the most overlooked aspects of health, but it’s one of the most important.

Eating real plants is the best way to keep up your fiber intake. But this is easier said than done.

Not everyone has the time and resources to shop for fresh produce and take the time to prepare nutritious meals. This is where a fiber supplement comes in handy.

Fiber supplements are a quick and easy way to ensure you are getting more than enough of your daily recommended fiber quota.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for the best all-in-one daily nutritional supplement, Tim Ferriss recommends this superfood cocktail (12+ servings of fruits & veggies, 70+ whole super food ingredients)

How do fiber supplements work and are they worth all they hype?

We’ll cover this in a minute, along with possible side effects and details on how to properly take a fiber supplement.

Before we get there, we’ve ranked the best fiber supplements of 2017, according to price, product quality, and customer reviews.

So whats the #1 best fiber supplement of 2017?

1- NOW Foods Psyllium Husk Caps

Lowest price on Amazon

NOW Foods Psyllium Husk Caps is a fiber supplement from an incredible natural source known for its numerous health benefits, making it our #1 recommended fiber supplement on the market. It’s also loaded with calcium and iron, providing additional nutritional support.

This fiber supplement contains a whopping 6.7 g of dietary fiber per serving and acts as a powerful source of soluble fiber which promotes the movement in your digestive system and increases stool bulk, benefitting especially those who struggle with irregular stools or constipation.

NOW Foods Psyllium Husk is the #1 best selling fiber supplement on Amazon.com.

And the reviews? Off the charts.

Check out this one from a verified purchaser:

“Extremely impressed! I read ALL reviews thoroughly before purchasing. I am an active, adult female in my early 40’s with a clean, healthy diet. I have always contended with intermittent constipation.

In November 2015, I adapted a Paleo lifestyle after intensive research. The new lifestyle (which includes trust me cooked and raw veggies/water so please do not think I skip them but if you study you may find that it NOT enough) enabled me to lose a desired 50 pounds to achieve my goal weight of 135 lbs at 5’5. Unfortunately, I continued to experience constipation. I found it disturbing that despite intaking adequate daily fiber and more than adequate water as well as daily exercise I was only able to have a bowel movement twice per week!!! After consuming this product for a full 72 hours, twice per day (3 capsules per serving/6 capsules per day: 3 capsules at 6:30 am and 3 capsules at 6:30 pm with at least 16 oz. of water), I am able to visit the restroom with regularity and ease TWICE PER DAY like clockwork (I can almost predict the time/hour) without urgency. My movements are planned/expected and convenient. I experience complete elimination. I have no gas, cramping or bloating. My tummy is actually considerably flatter.

I want to add that I also take a probiotic nightly (I began this 30 days ago) at 8:30 pm with 16 oz. of water with my multi-vitamin before retiring for the evening at 10:00 pm. I make sure that I DO NOT take the psyllium husk caps too close to other medications or supplements — I space them about 90 minutes to 2 hours away from other pills.

I know this review is lengthy but I wanted to detail my experience for those who are leery of purchasing this item or had questions on how long this product took in terms of days to “kick in” for someone or how “impactful” the change was or what the change was like in an individual’s routine. The rest of my household (my husband is in his late 50’s, our sons are 15 and 20) have opted not to use them and stick to a clean, healthy WHOLE FOODS DIET and fiber gummies which did not work for me and proved to be too harsh due to an ingredient called “inulin” I believe–I had a very adverse experience to say the least…LOL! Hopefully my review will help someone and best of luck and good health to you!”

Safe to say the product is legit? I’d say so.

Not the cheapest fiber supplement on the market, but if you are looking for premium quality this is one of the top fiber supplements available.

Take 3 capsules for a single serving, 166 servings per bottle (500 mg of natural soluble fiber and just 6 calories per serving).

Buy Psyllium Husk on Amazon

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2- Optimum Nutrition FITNESS FIBER

Lowest price on Amazon

Fitness Fiber is manufactured by the world’s most popular manufacturer of supplements, Optimum Nutrition. It contains 5g of dietary fiber per serving and contains six types of fiber and gum, making it one of the most affordable fiber supplements on the market.

It’s fat-free, unflavored and contains just 10 calories per serving.

Fitness Fiber is one of the most convenient sources of fiber for athletes that maintain a high protein diet. You can easily add it to your drinks, shakes, or meals to help you meet your daily fiber quota.

Buy Fitness Fiber on Amazon

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3- Garden of Life RAW Fiber

Lowest price on Amazon

Garden of Life Super RAW fiber is a dietary supplement that has more greens per serving than most leading fiber supplements. Containing 15+ organic superfoods, this is one of the most overall nutritious supplements on the market (you check out more organic superfood blends here).

What’s so special about RAW fiber? Here’s what the company has to say:

• VEGAN FIBER: Our RAW fiber contains 9g of fiber per serving (36% DV) along with 7 grams of protein, probiotics, and omega 3 fatty acids for overall health.

• SUPERFOOD FIBER: RAW fiber is made with 15 RAW organic superfoods, including sprouted seeds, grains and legumes.

• CONSTIPATION RELIEF: Supports gut health, regular bowel function, cardiovascular function, and overall health.

• TOXIN ELIMINATION: Supports the healthy elimination of toxins while maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels that are already in the normal range.

• ORGANIC FIBER: RAW, Certified USDA Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Psyllium Free with No Fillers, No Isolates, No Synthetic Nutrients, No Artificial Sweeteners, and No Preservatives.

It contains antioxidant green grasses, sea vegetables, micro-algae, whole vegetables and their grains, juices, seeds and legumes which are specifically chosen for their ability to support normal gut balance, regular bowel movement and overall health.

The supplement contains 7g of dietary fiber and 2.5g of healthy fatty acids per serving. 

Buy RAW Fiber on Amazon

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4- Benefiber Fiber Supplement Powder

Lowest price on Amazon

Benefiber is one of the most well-known brands in the fiber supplement industry. Their fiber supplement powder is clear, taste-free, and completely dissolvable in any liquid.

It’s 100% natural, gluten-free, sugar-free, and non-thickening, making it great for dieters of all types.

Benefiber also contains wheat dextrin which is a natural prebiotic fiber that supports your digestive system’s good microflora and overall digestive health. This is one of the biggest advantages that Benefiber has over other leading fiber supplements.

It comes in sizes of 38 (5.4 oz.), 62 (8.7 oz.), 125 (17.6 oz.), and 190 (26.8 oz.) servings, and stick packs for a convenient on-the-go fiber solution.

Buy Benefiber on Amazon

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5- NOW Foods Fiber-3

Lowest price on Amazon

Fiber-3 is another fiber supplement manufactured by NOW Foods that includes both insoluble and soluble fiber sources for more health benefits and antioxidant properties.

This supplement combines fibers from certified organic Golden Flax Seed Meal, Acacia, and Inulin to help you increase your fiber intake. Golden Flax Seed contains both soluble and insoluble fibers as well as lignans that act as antioxidants.

Here’s what the company has to say:

“Acacia is rich in soluble fiber that can help to control gas and bloating associated with high fiber intake in some individuals and Inulin acts as a prebiotic, providing food for friendly intestinal bacteria. The properties of the three fiber sources combined in NOW® Fiber-3™ work together to support and maintain healthy intestinal flora and regularity.”

This fiber supplement also contains 4g of healthy fatty acids and 7g of dietary fiber per serving.

Serving Size: 2 1/2 Tablespoons (17 g), 26 servings in the container. 

Buy Fiber-3 on Amazon

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What are fiber supplements?

Fiber is the most essential component in maintaining a healthy digestive system in your body.

Aside from this, it also helps control your blood sugar levels, improves skin health, provides relief from irritable bowel syndrome, and lowers the risk of hemorrhoids.

Increasing the amount of fiber that you consume daily can sometimes be hard to do (1). Buying fresh produce and preparing meals can be exhausting. Fiber supplements are the most convenient and cost-effective way of increasing the amount of extra fiber that your body needs.

According to the Institute of Medicine, men ages 50 and younger should consume over 38 grams of fiber every day and men ages 51 and older should have over 30 grams. Women ages 50 and younger should have 25 grams of fiber per day while older women only need to consume just 21 grams per day (2).

Fiber supplements can help you get the fiber your body needs for optimum digestive health and.

How do fiber supplements work?

Fiber supplements primarily consist of natural polysaccharides (e.g. psyllium) and semisynthetic or synthetic polysaccharides. They work by increasing the water content and volume of the stool.

This action stimulates peristalsis which is the contraction of muscles in the digestive tract, decreases transit time of the colon, and improves consistency of the stool.

Taking a daily fiber supplement ensures that you are getting enough fiber for a high functioning digestive system.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects of taking fiber supplements may include bloating, abdominal cramping, flatulence, and abdominal distension.

There have also been some reports of allergic reaction. You should start with a smaller dose and slowly increase the amount with time. It’s also important that you increase your water intake when introducing fiber supplements to avoid adverse side effects.

To avoid having it lodge and swell in your throat, which could result in choking, make sure you take fiber supplements with at least a full glass of water or other liquid.

Serious allergic reactions to fiber supplements are extremely rare. If you are experiencing symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching or swelling, rash, trouble breathing and severe dizziness, you should seek medical attention immediately.

How to take fiber supplements

Just like taking any new supplement, take this medication as directed by your doctor and make sure to follow the directions on product package.

If the supplement comes in a powder form, make sure that you measure each dose out according to the directions found on the product label.

Don’t just eyeball it!

Mix in a full glass of water or other liquid, stir well and drink it right away. The dosage of fiber supplement is based on your age, medical condition and response to treatment.

Take this supplement at least 2 hours from your other medications, as fiber supplements sometimes decrease the absorption of other medications. 

from Health Ranks http://healthranks.org/fiber/