 |
|
|
 |
 Why do I need fiber? |
| Fiber adds bulk to the stool and softens it by absorbing water. This helps you pass stools easily, without straining, on a regular basis, which is what healthy regularity is all about. Without enough fiber the body can experience bouts of constipation which may lead to other health problems. |
| Back to index |
|
| What is fiber therapy? |
| Fiber therapy is a way of supplementing your fiber intake in order to become regular. Also known as bulk-forming laxatives, fiber therapy products work in a safe and gentle way and act like natural fiber to help you control and maintain normal bowel function. Additionally, they do not contain chemical stimulants. |
| Back to index |
|
| Am I getting enough fiber? |
| There are plenty of high-fiber foods available. You'll find the highest fiber content in foods like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is important to try to include more of these foods in your daily diet. But even so, it's sometimes difficult to get from your diet all the fiber you need to keep you regular. That is why many doctors and health care professionals recommend products like FiberCon®. |
| Back to index |
|
| What is a bulk-forming laxative? |
| Bulk-forming laxatives act by providing bulk and moisture to stools for easier, more frequent elimination. Calcium Polycarbophil, the active ingredient in FiberCon®, adds bulk to the stool by absorbing water. Calcium Polycarbophil absorbs about 60 times its weight in water. |
| Back to index |
|
| What is constipation? |
| Constipation is the passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movement, usually less than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have bowel movements. |
| Back to index |
|
| What are the Symptoms of IBS? |
|
It is a disturbance of the colon (large intestine) function characterized by abdominal discomfort, bloating, and abnormal bowel movements. Diarrhea may often alternate with constipation. Discomfort and bloating are often relieved by having a bowel movement. IBS is diagnosed by a doctor.
IBS can present as chronic diarrhea (diarrhea predominant IBS), or constipation (constipation predominant IBS). A pattern of alternating constipation and diarrhea is also common. IBS patients may feel a sensation of not being able to fully empty their bowels after a movement. Abdominal pain and spasm are among the most common symptoms and many patients will feel significant relief of pain and discomfort after a bowel movement.
Although it is hard to locate the exact trigger for IBS, there are certain factors that can aggravate it.
FOOD: Spicy and greasy foods that may be hard to digest can irritate the bowels. Food containing caffeine, like coffee, cola and chocolate, can stimulate the muscles in the colon, upsetting its natural rhythm.
STRESS: Doctors agree that stress is one of the most common triggers of IBS. Learning how to manage stress can be one of the most important things you can do to decrease the symptoms.
CONTROLLING IBS THROUGH DIET:
You can help to control the symptoms of IBS by being aware of what you eat. You should try to notice any correlation between what you eat and how you feel afterward. You and your doctor can determine what foods help you and what foods hurt you. If you do make changes in your diet, make them gradually so your body has time to adjust.
HOW FIBERCON® CAN HELP:
If constipation is one of your symptoms, your doctor may tell you one of the best things you can do is increase your fiber intake. Fiber adds the bulk you need to keep food moving along the digestive tract. It also holds water, which in turn softens the stool, making it easy to eliminate.
Foods such as beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber. Even so, most people don't get nearly enough fiber in their diet. In fact, the average American only gets 10-15 grams of fiber a day. Experts recommend 20-35 grams, which is the equivalent of 10 or more apples, oranges or pears. That's why, in many cases, doctors recommend FiberCon® in addition to eating more fiber.
EASY-TO-TAKE, CONVENIENT CAPLETS:
FiberCon® is one of the first bulk-forming fiber therapy products to come in a caplet. It works with your body's natural rhythm to help normalize stool formation and keep you regular. And because it doesn't contain any chemical stimulant, you won't experience cramps.
FIBERCON®, WITH ITS NATURAL FIBER ACTION, RELIEVES BLOATING CONSTIPATION:
FiberCon® works primarily in the intestine. And unlike some dietary fibers and fiber laxative products, FiberCon® does not ferment in the colon - a process that can lead to painful and embarrassing gas. FiberCon® has less than 1 calorie per dose and each 2-caplet dose contains 244 milligrams of calcium.
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF CALCIUM:
FiberCon® has 244 milligrams of calcium per 2-caplet dose. |
| Back to index |
|
| See how FiberCon® compares to the competition. |
|
| Compare FiberCon® to Other Bulk Laxative Powders |
| |
FiberCon® caplets |
Metamucil® Sunrise Smooth |
Citrucel® Regular |
Benefiber® Powder |
| Easy-to-use caplets |
YES |
no |
no |
no |
| No mixing, no mess |
YES |
no |
no |
no |
| Less bloating and gas |
YES |
no |
YES |
no |
| Less than 1 calorie per dose |
YES |
no |
no |
no |
| Easy measured dosing |
YES |
no |
no |
no |
Contains 244 mg of calcium per
2-caplet dose |
YES |
no |
no |
no |
| Dye-free |
YES |
no |
no |
YES |
| Metamucil®, Citrucel® and Benefiber® are registered trademarks of Procter & Gamble Company, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis AG, respectively. |
|
| Back to index |
|
| Fiber Food Chart |
|
| Cereals & Grains |
Amount |
Fiber (grams) |
| Raisin Bran® cereal |
1 cup |
6 |
| All Bran® cereal |
1/3 cup |
10 |
| Toasted wheat germ |
1 cup |
16 |
| Whole wheat bread |
1 slice |
2 |
| Wheat bran muffin |
1 |
3 |
| Brown rice |
1 cup |
3 |
| |
| Fruits & Vegetables |
|
|
| Apple |
1 medium |
4 |
| Mango |
1 |
4 |
| Blackberries |
1 cup |
7 |
| Dried figs |
10 |
17 |
| Prune juice |
1 cup |
3 |
| Baked potato w/skin, microwaved |
1 medium |
5 |
| |
| Beans |
| Canned baked beans |
1/2 cup |
5 |
| Chickpeas, cooked |
1 cup |
10 |
| Hummus |
1 cup |
14 |
| Kidney beans, canned |
1 cup |
15 |
| |
| Source: Whitney, EN and Rolfes SR. Understanding Nutrition. 6th edition. Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Company: 1993 (3rd printing): H (Information in this table was prepared for West Publishing Company and copyrighted by ESHA Research in Salem, Oregon) |
Kellogg's Raisin Bran® and All-Bran® are registered trademarks of Kellogg Company. |
|
| Back to index |
|
|
