Constipation self-help and dietary fibre

Self-help is an increasingly popular trend, especially given the waiting times for doctor’s appointments. 
Plants and dietary fibre can play a key role in supporting gut transit.



 

How can Optifibre play a supporting role?

It has a high fibre efficacy due to its composition of particularly fermentable guar fibres. It contains no additives and is suitable for children over 3 years old.
 


Other solutions for constipation



Stimulants such as castor oil and senna should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women without consulting a medical professional.

Children under the age of 6 should also not be given laxatives without a doctor’s advice.




Types of dietary fibre



Dietary fibre comprises soluble and insoluble fibre and the digestive system requires both to function well. Soluble fibre can be found in oats and oatmeal, rye, chia, barley, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), fruits (figs, avocados, berries, prunes, ripe bananas, and the skin of apples, quinces and pears) vegetables (broccoli and carrots,) root tubers, flax seeds and nuts. OptiFibre® can provide a boost to your soluble fibre intake. Foods often contain both types of fibre, so it can sometimes be difficult to increase one without increasing the other. If someone has been advised to increase their soluble fibre intake, Optifibre is a useful way to do this.


Insoluble fibre can be found in bran layers of cereal grains, whole grain foods, plants including legumes (beans and peas), nuts and seeds, potato skins, vegetables (green beans, cauliflower, courgette, celery etc) some fruits such as avocado, unripe bananas, the skins of some fruits such as kiwi fruit, grapes and tomatoes.


Fibres can partly trap some minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. They can easily ferment in the colon causing bloating and flatulence.

When the fibres are too hard and not softened by cooking, they can be irritating to the digestive tract.


Guar fibre and constipation


Guar is a fibre that helps soften the stool in constipation. Guar fibres are used in OptiFibre®, a very fine powder that dissolves in drinks and mixes easily with food such as yogurt and soups.


With excessive consumption, fibre in general can lead to some bloating effects.

That is why it is important for fibre to be consumed progressively and at the appropriate dose. As for OptiFibre®,although it has minimal side effects and is very well tolerated, we still recommend you increase the dose gradually.