Konsyl has compiled a list of frequently asked fiber questions. Please click on the question to see the answer or scroll down to browse through all the fiber questions.
What is dietary fiber?
What’s the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber?
What are the best sources of soluble and insoluble fiber?
Do I need to increase my dietary fiber?
What are the signs of low fiber or fiber deficiency?
Does fiber help you lose weight?
How many calories and carbohydrates are in Konsyl psyllium?
Can I take Konsyl on the Atkins diet?
Why do I need to drink more water when I increase my fiber intake?
Is there fiber in milk or meat?
How do I use fiber for colon cleansing or detoxing?
How much psyllium fiber do I need to lower my cholesterol?
Is fiber good for constipation? Or is it good for diarrhea?
How can I check my fiber levels?
What does Konsyl DO?
Are Konsyl products gluten free?
Are Konsyl products Kosher?
What is the difference between Konsyl Original and New Konsyl Easy Mix fiber supplements?
How do I get a Konsyl shaker cup?
When is the best time for me to take my Konsyl powder products?
Can I take Konsyl Powder products with other medications?
What is the normal dose for Konsyl?
Can I take Konsyl more than 3 times a day?
How do I mix my Konsyl?
Does Konsyl/Konsyl Easy Mix have to be mixed with water?
Can I take Konsyl with hot tea/coffee/beverage?
What is the difference between Konsyl Fiber Caplets and Konsyl Powder?
What is the difference between Konsyl Original Powder and Konsyl Psyllium Capsules?
What is the difference between Konsyl Psyllium Capsules and SennaPrompt Capsules?
Dietary fiber is the part of a plant that cannot be digested by humans. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble.Your digestive system needs both types to function optimally.
Soluble fiber acts like a sponge in the intestines, absorbing water. It forms a thick gel which lubricates throughout the entire intestinal tract. This makes it easier for waste to pass more quickly through the intestines (bowel motility), which reduces incidences of constipation.Recent research suggests that increasing soluble fiber in the diet may be beneficial for:
Insoluble fiber acts like a broom sweeping through your digestive system. It absorbs little water but it adds bulk in the lower intestinal tract. Though less effective than soluble fiber in promoting bowel regularity, it is a necessary part of your diet. It aids in moving waste through the colon quickly and since insoluble fiber isn’t digested, it isn’t converted into calories. Insoluble fiber tends to help:
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Good sources of soluble fiber include:
Good sources of insoluble fiber include:
Psyllium fiber supplements contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.
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Typical Americans consume only 10-15 grams of fiber per day. The National Cancer Institute recommends eating 25-35 grams of fiber daily. Though there is no standard on recommended daily amounts, these numbers demonstrate that most people would benefit from increased fiber intake. You can add up your daily fiber grams to see how you measure up.
There are four main warning signs that may indicate you are not getting enough fiber:
Fiber makes you feel full. The fuller you feel, the less likely you are to snack or eat large meals. Also, if a food contains insoluble fiber, that portion is not broken down by your digestive system so it is not converted into calories.
Konsyl Original has 3 calories and 0.05 grams carbs per teaspoon dose.
Konsyl Easy Mix has 10 calories and 5 grams carbs per teaspoon dose.
Konsyl Original fiber supplement contains only natural psyllium husks fiber (no sugars or chemical sweeteners). It is allowed during all phases of Atkins, including induction. Each teaspoon of Konsyl contains .05 g of available carbs. (That's 1/20 of 1 gram - far less than half a gram.) For more info on Atkins low carb diet plan, visit http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/ .
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Adequate fluid intake, while on a fiber regimen, helps prevent constipation and assists the fiber in doing what it does best, move food through your digestive system.
Children benefit from a high fiber diet as much as adults. It is always recommended that you check with your pediatrician before starting your child on a high fiber diet or fiber supplements. It is generally accepted that all natural psyllium fiber is safe for children 6 years and older. Ask your pediatrician how many grams of fiber you should aim to give your child daily.
No. There is no dietary fiber in milk or meat. Some meats may seem tough and "fibrous," but they do not contain the dietary fiber that has health benefits like helping to lower cholesterol or aiding constipation. Fiber comes from plants like fruits, vegetables, seeds and psyllium seed husks.
Maintaining a diet rich in fiber will keep your digestive system healthy. A healthy digestive system cleanses itself every day , naturally removing toxins. Severe colon “cleansing” kits can also disrupt the natural balance of healthy bacteria found in the gut. A colon that is too “clean,” is actually not healthy (as those who have had long courses of antibiotics have found). Natural fiber (prebiotics) help to encourage the growth of this healthy bacteria. If you get the recommended amount of dietary fiber daily, this helps to eliminate feeling the need for harsh detoxification programs.
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Studies show 14 grams of psyllium seed husk per day, along with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol have lowered total blood cholesterol levels.
Fiber can help both! Fiber is a stool normalizer. It can soak up excess water in the bowels, helping diarrhea and making a firmer bowel movement. It can also help if you are constipated by pulling water into the colon, making a softer, bulkier bowel movement.
The best way to check your fiber levels is to maintain a food diary. Then you can add up the amount of fiber you are consuming every day.
Because the label of Konsyl Original fiber supplement says "bulk forming laxative," some people may ask, "What will Konsyl do?" Don't worry! Psyllium fiber is not a stimulant laxative that will make you run to the bathroom with cramps. Konsyl fiber just adds "bulk" to your stool, making it softer and easier to pass. Konsyl will help make the bowel movement more normal.
If you are constipated, Konsyl fiber absorbs water, turns to a gel and makes bowel movements easier. If you have loose, watery stool, Konsyl absorbs water and helps form a solid bowel movement. Make sure to follow the dosage instructions on the label and drink added water to aid the fiber's benefits. Konsyl generally produces bowel movements within 12-72 hours. To stay regular, increasing dietary fiber intake every day is recommended.
Konsyl psyllium fiber supplements also have a ton of other health benefits, like helping to lower cholesterol levels and aiding a weight loss program.
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Yes, all Konsyl fiber products are gluten free. Those with celiac disease can choose from any Konsyl fiber capsule or powdered fiber supplement, like Konsyl Original, Konsyl Easy Mix or Konsyl Orange for fiber therapy. These Konsyl products are gluten-free and okay for those with celiac disease. These Konsyl fiber supplements are made from the psyllium plant, which is in the dicot division. Plants containing gluten are in the monocot division of plants; the two aren’t even related. In Easy Mix, maltodextrin is used to make the psyllium easier to mix. Maltodextrin is a modified food starch derived from corn. Corn is usually acceptable to celiac patients.
Konsyl proudly offers many quality kosher fiber supplements. Five Konsyl fiber mixes are independently certified kosher by the OK Kosher Certification.
New Konsyl Easy Mix contains 4.3 grams of psyllium and 1.6 grams of maltodextrin per teaspoon dose. Maltodextrin is a dispersing agent that is derived from corn. There is also a small amount (.06g) of silicon dioxide – another dispersing agent to make it mix quicker. The calorie count is 10 and the carbs are 5 gms per teaspoon dose. Konsyl Easy Mix is safe for people with diabetes.
Konsyl Original contains only psyllium so you get more per teaspoon. Konsyl Original has 6 grams of psyllium per teaspoon dose and does not have any other inactive ingredient. Konsyl Original has 3 calories and 0.05 gms of carbs per dose. Konsyl Original is also safe for people with diabetes because it is sugar free and sugar substitute free.
When you order any Konsyl fiber supplement mix in the Konsyl online store, you'll receive a free shaker cup with your purchase. When you purchase any full-size Konsyl fiber supplement powder in a grocery or drug store, you can order our fun shaker cup to help you mix it well.
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Konsyl fiber supplement powders can be taken anytime day or night, with or without food, though you must drink plenty of fluid: 8 glasses daily for overall good health. If you take it too late in the evening you will not allow yourself time to consume adequate fluid. Not to mention, if you drink a lot of liquid at night you may be up urinating in the night. Another consideration for night time dosing is that when you go to sleep, your body slows down to a "rest mode"; body systems are not operating as efficiently as during the day when you're up and moving around. The longer waste stays in the colon; more water is being drawn out. We suggest nighttime dosing to those individuals who are taking it for diarrhea or loose stools, because too much fluid in the stool is actually a problem for them. For constipation we suggest that Konsyl fiber supplements be taken early in the day when you will be active and moving around and your body systems are functioning at a higher rate. Also, you have more time to consume additional fluids throughout the day.
Separate taking your Konsyl and your medications by at least 2 hours. The concern here is absorption in the stomach. Since psyllium is a hydrophilic product, some physicians are concerned that it may absorb other medications that are in the stomach at the same time and carry them out of the body without the patient getting the full benefit. If you are taking Coumadin, Warfarin or other similar medications, check with your physician before taking Konsyl products.
If not directed by a physician, begin taking 1/2 teaspoon 1-2 times daily and increase up to one teaspoon daily. Drink plenty of liquids to aid the product action. If gas and bloating occur, reduce the amount of Konsyl taken and increase the amount of water.
No. The FDA approved labeling allows a maximum of 3 teaspoons a day. The labeling also counsels, "Stop use and ask a doctor if you fail to have a bowel movement". It could be the sign of a more serious condition.
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Konsyl Original fiber supplement provides 6 grams of psyllium per dose, more than any other brand. Psyllium does not dissolve into water like sugar and other inactive ingredients; psyllium actually absorbs the water around it. The fact that it absorbs quickly and there is 6 grams makes it a bit more difficult to stir. That is why we provide FREE Konsyl Shaker Cups with purchase to facilitate easier mixing. "Shake, Don't stir". Konsyl Easy Mix fiber supplement has 4.3 grams of Psyllium and dispersing agents like maltodextrin to help make it easier to mix than Original.
No. Both powdered fiber supplement products may be mixed in a variety of beverages. We do not recommend carbonated drinks because carbonation is not desirable when shaking the product. Some popular choices for mixing: pulpy fruit juices, iced tea, milk, lemonade, diet beverages like Crystal Lite and Diet V-8 for people with diabetes.
No. Hot liquids are not recommended for two reasons:
1. It will splatter if shaken in a closed container.
2. One may not be able to drink it all before it begins to thicken, due to the temperature of the liquid.
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Konsyl Powder fiber supplement is made from psyllium (5 grams of dietary fiber per dose). Natural fiber sources like psyllium provide both soluble and insoluble fiber. Konsyl Fiber Caplets are made from Calcium Polycarbophil (1/2 gram per tablet) and are a form of soluble fiber.
Konsyl Psyllium Capsule fiber supplements provide a convenient alternative for traveling to the Konsyl Original Powder providing 0.52 grams of psyllium per capsule.
SennaPrompt capsules contain Psyllium + sennosides. Psyllium is a bulking agent and sennosides are a stimulant that promotes relief of constipation generally within a 12-hour period. SennaPrompt should be taken for quick overnight relief of constipation. It is not meant for long-term use.
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