Complete Fibre Complex

Fibre is a crucial component of a healthy diet and plays an essential role in the health and integrity of the entire gastro-intestinal tract. Fibre is divided into two main categories insoluble fibre and soluble fibre. Insoluble fibre tends to absorb water and provide bulk in the intestinal tract. In addition these fibres such as plant cellulose undergo natural fermentation producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are a key energy source for healthy intestinal cells. Soluble fibre such as pectin, mucilages and hemicelluloses are water soluble and have broader benefits as well as providing SCFAs i.e. heavy metal chelation, delay gastric emptying, binding of bile acids and steroids and cholesterol reduction.

LINSEED (FLAX) - Linseed is a rich source of lignan precursors, which is altered by the gut flora into the animal lignans enterolactone and enterodiol. These lignans exert important effects such as anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. Flax seed is also a rich source of mucilage and omega 3 EFAs that also provide lubrication for the intestinal tract.
PSYLLIUM HUSK - Psyllium a gel forming fibre is in the category of mucilages and is one of the more potent cholesterol lowering agents. In addition, mucilage fibres can reduce fasting and after-meal glucose and insulin levels in both healthy and diabetic subjects. Psyllium has also been shown to decrease body weight and hunger in obese individuals, when taken with meals. Psyllium can help assist in binding with steroids, delay gastric emptying and chelate heavy metals, thus a very useful detoxifying agent.
CITRUS PECTIN - Pectins are found in all plant cell walls and in the outer skin and rind of fruits and vegetables. Pectin can lower serum lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels by greatly increasing their fecal excretion and preventing their manufacture in the liver. Citrus pectin is fermented by the intestinal flora producing short-chain fatty acids, which have many important functions. Butyrate an important SCFA is required as an energy source for the cells that line the colon, and has been shown to offer anti-cancer activity.
KELP - Kelp is a brown sea algae. Sea plants contain ten to twenty times the mineral content of land plants and an abundance of vitamins and other elements. Kelp is a rich source of mucilaginous gels such as algin, which soothe the intestines, lower elevated blood fats and assist in the binding and excretion of heavy metals and other pollutants.
RICE BRAN - For many years, scientists have known that rice bran was a storehouse of precious but delicate super nutrients. Some of these super nutrients, such as the tocotrienols have recently been shown to have 6,000 times greater antioxidant activity than Vitamin E. Many potent phytochemicals are found in rice bran and its oil including; gamma-oryzanol, ferulic acid, tocotrionols, and phenolic compounds such as inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) well known for its powerful antioxidant and heavy metal chelating effects. Rice bran offers broad benefits in supporting digestive health apparently through normalisation of nervous system control of digestive secretions.
FRUCTO-OLIGO-SACCHARIDES (FOS) - FOS is a type of short chain polysaccharide normally found in vegetable foods such as artichokes, onions, asparagus, and garlic. FOS is not digested, instead it feeds the friendly flora whilst simultaneously reducing the colonies of detrimental bacteria. Other benefits include increased amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), improved liver function, reduction of serum cholesterol and blood pressure and improved elimination of toxic compounds.

Dosage

1-3 capsules daily or as recommended by a practitioner. Best taken away from meals with water.

Potential applications

Some of the beneficial effects of supplementary dietary fibre include:

Decreased intestinal transit time
Delayed gastric emptying
Increased satiety
Increased pancreatic secretion
Increased stool weight
Improved intestinal flora balance
Increased production of SCFAs
Decreased serum lipids
More soluble bile

Other applications include IBS, diarrhoea, elevated cholesterol, heavy metal / free iron chelation, detoxification / cleansing, obesity, functional disorders of the colon, candida.

Known contraindications

In cases of disorders of the oesophagus it is not recommended to take fibre supplements in pill form as they may expand in the oesophagus and result in obstruction.

Interactions

It is suggested to avoid taking fibre supplements at the same time as medication as absorption may be impaired.

Use in conjunction with

Grapefruit seed extract, oregon grape root, EFAs, milk thistle, acidophilus, digestive enzymes.

Note

Drinking adequate water is important in ensuring the beneficial effects of fibre on the intestinal tract.

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