Fiber supplements — Safe to use every day?

Dear Regular,

Some of the fiber supplements (available in powder and pill forms) you are referring to are designed to help alleviate constipation, and are to be used for a limited time only. That's because if a person has chronic constipation, the cause needs to be determined. Other products can be used as supplements, as long as there are no underlying medical issues, such as chronic constipation. Two steps to determine how you use supplements are 1) read the labels carefully to find a fiber product that can be used daily, and 2) speak with your health care provider to determine if it's a good idea to take a daily supplement.

For people who experience constipation or other irregularity with their bowel movements, some causes may be: 

• Inadequate fiber consumption
• Lack of exercise
• Insufficient fluid intake
• Change in one's daily routine
• Ignoring the urge to move one's bowels
• Certain diseases
• Some medications

Luckily for you and anyone who needs more fiber, fruits and vegetables aren't the only good sources for getting more fiber into your diet. Here are some fiber boosting tips:

• Have a higher fiber cereal for breakfast — try to select one that contains at least five grams per serving.
• Add beans to salad, or dine on a cup of chili for lunch. Each half cup of beans contains three to four grams of fiber.
• Choose whole wheat bread, which has two grams of fiber per slice.
• Munch on berries (one serving = a half cup), pears (one medium with skin), and oranges (one medium). If you eat just two servings of these a day, you'll add seven to eight grams of fiber.
• Snack on popcorn (go for air-popped). You get one gram of fiber per cup (equal to about two to three handfuls).
• Have a baked potato, which has almost four grams of fiber.
• Chomp on a medium carrot, which can add two grams of fiber.

Part of the benefit of getting fiber through food is that you will also take in the abundant vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals (phytochemicals) that are present — you'll get lots of key nutrients, such as vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc; also in these foods are disease fighting plant chemicals, such as anthocyanins, alpha and beta-carotene, isoflavonoids, and phytosterols, among others.

If you do take a fiber supplement, you'll want to be careful because too much fiber can bind critical minerals, such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, decreasing their absorption by the body. If you have more questions about your use of supplements, it would be a great idea to ask your health care provider, who knows your medical history and can recommend the best source of fiber for you.

Wishing you continued regularity,