Women generally need less fiber than men. People who do not get enough fiber from food should take fiber supple-ments.

Now, I’m going to talk about fiber. You’ve heard the advice million times before from our salon—eat more fiber. Now it’s time to really follow it. Fiber is so important to health that the US Food and Nutrition Board recently said the first recommended daily intakes. Men up to age 50 require 38 grams of fiber daily; women need 25 grams. Men and women over 50 should get 30 grams and 21 grams respectively. But why does the US Food and Nutrition Board issue the guidelines now? Because the research on fiber keeps piling up. Studies show that certain fibers lower blood pressure and normalize blood sugar, and of course, help with regularity. Since fiber slows digestion and makes you feel full, it may be the ticket to slim down. As for cancer, the jury is still out on fiber’s role in protecting colon, but eating more fiber-rich foods won’t hurt. Of course, the best way to get your fiber is to eat whole foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. But how much do you need to meet recommended levels? According to Doctor Anderson’s research, it will take a minimum of 6 servings of fruits and veggies and 3 servings of whole grains daily to reach the recommendations. If you fall below that lofty goal, he says, you are a good candidate for a fiber supplement. In particular, people with high blood pressure and high blood sugar can benefit from extra fiber. If people who took medicine to lower their blood sugar level, ate a fiber-rich diet and took a soluble fiber supplement daily, one quarter could go off their medication. That’s a pretty powerful statement. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping any drug therapy. Selecting a fiber supplement from the dozens on the shelves seems like impossible task, but we can help you cut down your choices or we can provide you with alternative solutions. For example, you can just mix fiber-rich wholly serial with milk. But to lower your blood sugar level, reach for a soluble fiber supplement. As far as our research is concerned, there is no evidence that man-made fiber lowers blood pressure or blood sugar levels like other natural fiber products. To avoid common side-effect, such as gas, start with a low fiber dose and slowly walk your way up and insoluble fiber works well for people with irritable bowel syndrome, because it doesn’t cause gas. It will help with regularity but it won’t lower blood pressure or blood sugar like soluble fiber. For all fiber supplements, follow the package directions. You must take the majority of fiber products with a full glass of water. Start with a single dose and walk up to twice daily if needed. Fiber supplements won’t block absorption of most medications. But to be safe, we recommend taking fiber supplements either 2 hours before or after your medication, especially those feel heart or blood pressure. That’s all about fiber. Do you have any questions?