If you are eating the kinds of food that contain a lot of fiber, then you do not have to take a fiber supplement. As long as you are getting at least 30 grams of fiber per day then you are getting all the fiber that you need.

Fresh and canned fruits, fresh and canned vegetables, nuts and grains contain fiber. Include any or all of these in your daily diet and your fiber intake should be complete.

Benefits of Fiber

Fiber is essential for keeping your intestines working well. A diet that contains little or no fiber can result in constipation and other bowel problems. Fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancer. A diet rich in fiber can help you lose weight because the fiber causes a full feeling, and you will eat less. Having the right amount of fiber in your diet will also allow your body to properly dispose of the waste in your body. When your body lacks fiber it causes waste to build up inside your body.

Fiber supplements are generally taken when a person experiences bouts of constipation caused by lack of fiber in the diet. Fiber supplements come in all forms. You can use a powder that mixes with liquid, chewable tablets or plain tablets. If you are taking fiber supplements, you have to make sure that you take them with plenty of water. Failing to do so can result in an intestinal blockage. There are many different opinions about the use of fiber supplements and whether or not they are necessary. Too much fiber in the diet can result in loose bowels, as fiber is also a stool softener.

Fiber Supplements

Apparently, if you want to be healthy, then you should take a fiber supplement. At least that is what we are constantly told. What most people do not realize is that if we eat right, then we would have no need for these supplements. Unfortunately, not many people are able to do this, and this is why the sales of these supplements are so high. Fast food, eating on the run and grabbing takeout food leaves our systems sadly lacking in the nutrients they need, leaving us no other recourse but to take supplements in order to obtain proper nutrient levels.

You should be aware that you can overdo on the fiber supplements that you take. And fiber supplements can also interact with medications, causing them to be less effective. Fiber supplements should be taken, along with lots of water, either two hours before or two hours after you take your medication. Just be careful about the fiber supplements that you take, and if possible, try to get your fiber naturally through the food you consume. Consult with your doctor before taking a fiber supplement.