Cholesterol Doctor

Several studies and researches have proved that increasing your fiber intake can help bring down your LDL or bad cholesterol significantly. But, do fiber supplements serve the same purpose? Let us find out.
Fiber has often been linked to the problem of cholesterol. Several studies and researches have proved that increasing your fiber intake can help bring down your LDL or bad cholesterol significantly. But, do fiber supplements serve the same purpose? Let us find out.

Are fiber supplements really good?
Fiber supplements can offer you the requisite amount of fiber as needed by your body. But, are they as good as other natural sources of fiber like vegetables and fruits? The answer in one single word is NO. Fiber supplements may offer you the desired fiber but they do not provide the essential vitamins and minerals as present in vegetables, fruits and other natural foods.

Besides, fiber supplements will not be able to do much in lowering your cholesterol if you are not following a healthy and well balanced diet. There are several researches that have revealed that fiber supplements can offer the desired results only if they are taken along with a well balanced diet. And, to ensure that you are following a healthy diet, you must give yourself a generous dose of fresh fruits and veggies each day.

So, if you really wish to bring down your cholesterol levels by using fiber, then eating natural foods containing fiber is a better idea than using fiber supplements.

Using fiber supplements
In case you do wish to use fiber supplements to bring down your cholesterol levels, then there are several options for you to choose from. Different fiber supplements are available in the market under different brand names. Each of these products contains different types of soluble fiber. Some of the common ingredients present in these supplements include psyllium, pectin, polycarbophil and methylcellulose.

When using these supplements, it is extremely important for you to be watchful of the quantity. The national Cholesterol Education Program recommends 10-25 grams of soluble fiber intake on a daily basis. Consuming more fiber than the suggested quantity could lead to constipation. So, in case you are using fiber supplements, make sure that you do not take more than required.

Need for fiber supplements
There are numerous food items that are an excellent source of fiber. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes are some food items that contain fiber in abundance. With so many options to augment your fiber intake, why does one need fiber supplements in the first place?

Well, a very simple reason for the same is that fiber supplements offer a quick dose of fiber. In the present day scenario, when most people tend to skip meals due to paucity of time, healthy snacking may not be as feasible. As a result, the thought of gratifying fiber intake via fiber supplements seems quite tempting.