Dietary fiber has received considerable attention in both the popular press and scientific literature because of its significant effects on the stomach and intestines, specifically as a mainstay of treatment for constipation and hemorrhoids. Insoluble fiber promotes normal elimination by providing bulk for stool formation and thus hastening the passage of the stool through the colon.

This may help with constipation and hemorrhoid problems, often experienced during pregnancy. The best remedy for these conditions is a high-fiber diet and plenty of water and exercise. Your doctor may prescribe an all-natural psyllium fiber like KONSYL or KONSYL EASY MIX. The fiber in KONSYL is safe and effective for pregnant women and their babies.

Studies also indicate that soluble fibers may play a role in reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood. Simply adding a fiber supplement to your daily routine is proving to be a very effective, all natural approach to cholesterol lowering. In a recent trial examining the effects of fiber supplementation, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) decreased, while HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) increased. As a result, high-fiber, low-fat diets have been recommended to decrease the incidence of heart disease and high cholesterol. How fiber works its magic still isn't clear, but scientists suspect that it coaxes the body to make more cholesterol out of the blood, preventing it from forming plaques in the arteries and causing heart disease.

Increasing the intake of soluble dietary fiber appears to benefit patients with diabetes mellitus as well. This is accomplished by coating the gut's lining and delaying stomach emptying. As a result, sugar absorption slows after a meal and may reduce the amount of insulin needed.

Not only does fiber prevent absorption of fat and delay the absorption of sugar, but it also helps you to feel full faster. As you fill up on high fiber foods like grains, fruits and vegetables, you'll have less room for high-fat and highly caloric low-fiber foods. And fewer calories mean that eating fiber helps to maintain a healthy weight.

Some researchers have calculated that if Americans doubled their intake of fiber, they could cut 100 calories from their diet a day. That could shave off 10 pounds of yearly weight gain.

Fiber is a weight watchers dream. Since fiber takes up space in the stomach, making us feel full, we eat less fat, less calories, and less food overall.