Overview

Why take a fiber supplement?
Most of us don't get the fiber we need:

Americans get less than half the recommended amount of fiber per day. Supplemental fiber is a natural way to promote and maintain regularity, but is not a laxative.†

Why take Fiber Delights^®?
Convenient, delicious chocolate-flavored chewable:

Fiber Delights^® lets you decide when and where to boost your fiber intake. No mixes, no fuss, no mess.

Helps your body absorb calcium:†

Because of the unique blend of inulin and oat bran fiber, just 4 tablets a day helps your body absorb calcium.†

It helps probiotics grow:†

The fiber in Fiber Delights^® acts as "prebiotic," helping beneficial bacteria thrive in your digestive system.†

Enhances natural detoxification:†

Fiber grabs toxins and helps move them out of your body.†

Directions

Two chewable tablets daily, with or without water. To achieve maximum benefits, begin with only one tablet each day for the first week, and increase to two tablets daily thereafter. If additional fiber intake is desired, slowly increase to six to eight tablets daily.

Pill Size

Interactions and Depletions

Technical Data

Description

Fiber Delights™ is a chewable fiber dietary supplement. Fiber Delights™ delivers a significant portion of the recommended daily intake for fiber while minimizing the side effects normally associated with fiber intake.† The natural ingredients in this product promote regularity and healthy gastrointestinal function.† Fiber Delights™ is very palatable, is safe to take every day, and does not need to be taken with water or other liquids.†

How Does It Work?

Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber is the edible parts of plants, or similar carbohydrates, that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Dietary fiber passes through the stomach and small intestine to the large intestine, where it undergoes complete or partial fermentation. Dietary fiber plays many important roles in health, including providing bulk to feces, which aids elimination and supports regular bowel movements; and supporting metabolic activity in the body by inhibiting cholesterol absorption and slowing glucose absorption in the small intestine.†^1,2 Dietary fiber has also been studied for its support of the immune system and healthy white blood cells.†^3-5 Finally, dietary fiber supports digestion by helping the colon become more acidic, thus supporting the growth of beneficial microflora in the intestines.†²

Fiber is generally classified as either insoluble or soluble. Although neither type is digested or absorbed, each has specific properties. Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, thus slowing the process of digestion and absorption without causing interference with the absorption of essential nutrients.† Research has shown that by slowing the absorption of glucose (sugar) and carbohydrates, soluble fiber supports the maintenance of healthy glucose levels that are already within the normal range.†^6-8 Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, increasing pressure on the intestinal walls and triggering bowel movements.† Insoluble fiber also promotes softer stools, which reduces straining and discomfort during defecation.†^2,9 Fiber Delights™ contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Inulin and oligofructose
Fiber Delights™ contains a proprietary blend of inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Both inulin and FOS are naturally occurring; they are found in many types of plants, including onions, leeks, bananas, wheat, and artichokes. Chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke also contain high levels of these substances.

In the human body, inulin and FOS support a healthy gastrointestinal tract through two different mechanisms. First, inulin and FOS are classified as prebiotics (defined as non- digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth of beneficial microflora in the digestive system). In a study of volunteers who consumed a controlled diet supplemented with inulin and FOS for 15 days, the ratio of “friendly,” or desirable, intestinal microflora shifted positively. The number of bifidobacterium (a “friendly” microflora) increased, while the number of undesirable microflora decreased. The study's authors concluded that a change in dietary habits to consume prebiotics can shift the balance of colonic microflora to promote the growth of the more desirable organisms.¹⁰

In addition to the promotion of existing strains of beneficial intestinal flora, inulin and FOS also act to improve the survival, implantation, and growth of probiotic bacteria.† Probiotics refer to orally consumed supplemental forms of beneficial microflora that naturally occur in the digestive tract. Some examples of probiotic bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacteria longum and Bifidobacteria breve.

In addition to functioning as prebiotics, inulin and FOS also provide the benefits of fiber. Because they are not absorbed, inulin and FOS influence intestinal function by increasing stool frequency, increasing stool weight, and decreasing fecal pH.† These factors help to promote regularity and support gastrointestinal health by shortening the amount of time waste material lingers in the intestines. It is important that the body not be exposed to waste materials or toxins for prolonged periods of time. These wastes, if they remain in contact with the body for too long, may act as irritants and potentially cause harm to the colon.¹¹

Inulin and FOS also provide support for body systems other than the gastrointestinal tract. The specific forms of inulin and FOS in Fiber Delights™ were the subject of a recent clinical trial that showed that, at sufficient levels, this combination enhanced the absorption of calcium in adolescent girls by 18%.†¹² Inulin and FOS have also been reported to support the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.†^13-15 Inulin, at the supplemental level of 10 g per day, has been shown to support the maintenance of healthy insulin and glucose levels that are already within the normal range.†¹⁶

Oat Fiber
Oat bran is generally considered a source of soluble fiber, although it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Oat bran is well known for its support for the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.†^17-25 Oat bran has also been shown to support the maintenance of healthy glucose and insulin levels that are already within the normal range.†^26,27 Additionally, oat bran has been clinically studied for its ability to increase stool bulk.† The authors of a recent a study concluded that the bulking effect of oat bran is due to its ability to provide rapidly fermented soluble fiber for bacterial growth, and by excreting undigested insoluble fiber (although in lesser quantities than a true insoluble fiber source, such as wheat bran).²⁸ Oat bran possesses the beneficial properties of both types of fiber.

Recommendations

Two chewable tablets daily, with or without water. To achieve maximum benefits, begin with only one tablet each day for the first week, and increase to two tablets daily thereafter. If additional fiber intake is desired, slowly increase to six to eight tablets daily.

Individual responses may vary due to physiological differences and the amount of fiber already present in the diet.

Precautions

As with any fiber product, it is best to start with the minimum dose and build slowly until the desired effect is reached. This product is best when used with a healthy diet that includes a rich variety of fiber from food, plenty of fluids, and exercise.

Each chewable tablet of Fiber Delights™ contains 7.5 calories, 2.5 grams total carbohydrate, and 1 gram (4 calories) of sugar (from fructose). This product is safe for use by diabetics as part of a program that monitors daily intake of sugar.

How Is It Supplied?

• 07536;60 Chewable Tablets

Storage Recommendations

Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86° F (15° – 30° C). Keep product dry.

References

1. Wardlaw GM, Insel PM. Soluble and Insoluble Fibers. In: Perspectives in Nutrition, 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 1993:79.
2. The Definition of Dietary Fiber. American Association of Cereal Chemists. Available at: http://www.scisoc.org/aacc/DietaryFiber/report.html. Accessed January 30, 2002.
3. Felippe CR, Calder PC, Vecchia MC, et al. Fatty acid composition of lymphocytes and macrophages from rats fed fiber-rich diets: a comparison between oat bran- and wheat bran-enriched diets. Lipids. 1997;32:587-91.
4. Garritson BK, Nikaein A, Peters GN, Gorman MA, King CC, Kiepa GU. Effect of major dietary modifications on immune system in patients with breast cancer: a pilot study. Cancer Pract. 1995 ;3:239-46.
5. Lim BO, Yamada K, Nonaka M, et al. Dietary fibers modulate indices of intestinal immune function in rats. J Nutr. 1997;127(5):663-7.
6. Ou S, Kwok K, Li Y, Fu L. In vitro study of possible role of dietary fiber in lowering postprandial serum glucose. J Agric Food Chem. 2001;49:1026-9.
7. Nelson RW, Scott-Moncrieff JC, Feldman EC, et al. Effect of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glycemia in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000:216:1082-8.
8. Kimmel SE, Michel KE, Hess RS, Ward CR. Effects of insoluble and soluble dietary fiber on glycemic control in dogs with naturally occurring insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000:216:1076-81.
9. Van Horn L. Fiber, Lipids, and Coronary Heart Disease. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org. Accessed December 13, 2001.
10. Gibson GR, Beatty ER, Wang X, Cummings JH. Selective stimulation of bifidobacteria in the human colon by oligofructose and inulin. Gastroenterology. 1995 Apr;108(4):975-82.
11. Izzo M, Niness K. Formulating Nutrition Bars with Inulin and Oligofructose. Cereal Foods World. 2001;46:102-106.
12. Griffin IJ, Davila PM, Abrams SA. Non-digestible oligosaccharides and calcium absorption in girls with adequate calcium intakes. Br. J Nutr. 2002;87(s2):S187-S191.
13. Davidson MH, Maki KC. Effects of Dietary Inulin on Serum Lipids. J Nutr. 1999;129:1474S-1477S.
14. Roberfroid MB, Van Loo JA, Gibson GR. The bifidogenic nature of chicory inulin and its hydrolysis products. J Nutr. 1998 Jan;128(1):11-9.
15. Van Loo J, Franck A, Roberfroid M. Functional Food Properties of Non-digestible Oligosaccharides. Br J Nutr. 1999;82:329.
16. Jackson KG, Taylor GR, Clohessy AM, Williams CM. The Effect of the Daily Intake of Inulin on Fasting Lipid, Insulin and Glucose concentrations in Middle-aged Men and Women. Br J Nutr. 1999;82:23-30.
17. Anderson JW, Jones AE, Riddell-Mason S. Ten Different dietary Fibers have Significantly Different Effects on Serum and Liver Lipids of Cholesterol-fed Rats. J Nutr. 1994;124:78-83.
18. Ripsin CM, Keenan JM, Jacobs DR, et al. Oat products and lipid lowering – A meta-analysis. JAMA. 1992;267:3317-3325.
19. Brown L, Rosner B, Willett WW, Sacks FM. Cholesterol-lowering Effects of Dietary Fiber: A Meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:30-42.
20. Brumback RA. Oat Products: Lowering of Lipids, Education of Public. JAMA. 1992;268:2649-2650.
21. Gerhardt AL, Gallo NB. Full-fat Rice Bran and Oat Bran similarly Reduce Hypercholesterolemia in Humans. J Nutr. 1998;128:865-869.
22. Grajeta H. Effect of Amaranth and Oat Bran on Blood Serum and Liver Lipids in Rats Depending on the Kind of Dietary Fats. Nahrung. 1999;43:114-117.
23. Bennett WG, Cerda JJ. Benefits of Dietary Fiber, Myth or Medicine? Postgrad Med. 1996;99:153-156,166-168,171-172.
24. Roberfroid MB. Health Benefits of Non-digestible Oligosaccharides. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1997;427:211-219.
25. Anderson JW, Hanna TJ. Impact of Nondigestible Carbohydrates on Serum Lipoproteins and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. J Nutr. 1999;129:1457S-1466S.
26. Braaten JT, Scott FW, Wood PJ, et al. High Beta-glucan Oat Bran and Oat Gum Reduce Postprandial Blood Glucose and Insulin in subjects with and Without Type 2 Diabetes. Diabet Med. 1994;11:312-318.
27. Pick ME, Hawrysh ZJ, Gee MI, Toth E, Garg ML, Hardin RT. Oat Bran Concentrate Bread Products Improve Long-term control of diabetes: A Pilot Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996;96:1254-1261.
28. Health Implications of Dietary Fiber – Position of the American Dietetic Association. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1157-1159.

Ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask a Question

Submit a question and our panel of experts will respond within 24-48 hours.

Product:	Fiber Delights®
*Name:
*Email:
Phone:
*Your Question:

Find a Store