Diabetes was Re: [Herbalist] Aloh

[Tara]

> > I have to disagree with you, because from my experience, use of a fiber
> > supplement (which taken over a short term doubles as a GENTLE laxative -
> > milder than some foods) is HIGHLY recommended by the medical community.
> > Every single doctor that I have spoken to has recommended it, both for me
> > and for my husband - who is amazingly healthy - and that's a lot of doctors.
>
> Continuously over the long term? Because there has been a lot of publicity
> lately from the medical community telling people NOT to use any kind of
> laxative continuously over the long term.

I suspect that when people think of "fiber supplement" and "laxative"
they're generally thinking of two vastly different volumes of fiber.
Taking a regular fiber supplement will help you maintain overall good
healthy bowels - as well as easing other digestive problems, and being
good for your heart.  But at that level, it won't have *any* immediate
laxative effect.

Most people in this country really don't come close to eating the
recommended amount of fiber.  The white bread in a sandwich has less
than one gram.  Even whole wheat bread generally only has two grams,
maybe as much as four if you get the health food store brands.  Most
breakfast cereals only have one gram or less.  Even the ones that
advertise themselves as "heart friendly" because of their fiber content
generally only have 2g.  Fruit and veggies have between 1-4g per serving
- most in the 1-2g range.  It takes an awful lot to add up to that
30-35g a day that are recommended at that rate!  It's even worse if you
don't follow a Prevention Magazine kind of diet.  So, small supplements
of psyllium husk will not come close to overwhelming your system.
Important note, though:  It's a good idea to supplement in small amounts
spread throughout the day, and not too much at any single meal.  Since
fiber helps speed food through your system, many vitamins that are
transported through your intestines via fat (vitamin A, vitamin E, etc.)
get rushed through too quickly and don't get absorbed.

-Magdalena