# Questions about dietary fiber **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 4, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488 "2007-10-04T14:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/1 "2007-10-04T14:20:49Z")
1. So if I want to take a dietary fiber supplement (just for general health, not constipation), it looks like I have two principal choices – psyllium husk (isabgol) or inulin. What are the relative advantages? I’ll have to say, I don’t like the idea of using the powdered stuff – I’ve tried it before and found it hard to get down. So I lean towards the capsules, and, especially, the chewable tablets. 2. I understand that the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber is 25 to 30 grams. How much of that should be soluble and how much insoluble? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/2 "2007-10-04T15:29:59Z")
WEll, as you said you have issues with the powdered stuff, so it looks like caps/pills =) Why not just increase your fruits and veggies? Add in whole grains and legumes. Although there is a powdered fiber that they advertise as being able to be added in to your regular food… ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/3 "2007-10-04T15:46:20Z")
There are also guar gum preparations like Benefiber. It dissolves better than the psyllium husk stuff. Also more expensive. Personally, when I’ve taken fiber on and off, I just used the cheapest generic psyllium husk Metamucil knockoff. The consistency doesn’t particularly bother me. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/4 "2007-10-04T17:32:28Z")
No one wants to tackle my questions? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/5 "2007-10-04T18:32:03Z")
I make a hot cereal with equal portions of wheat bran, ground flax seeds, shredded dried coconut, and protein powder. A half cup of the dry mixture has 45% of my daily fiber requirements (around 12 grams), and it tastes pretty good. I add 3/4 cup boiling water, and Tada! breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/6 "2007-10-04T18:47:23Z")
So, can anyone compare the relative merits of psyllium husk, inulin, and guar gum? And can anyone speak to the ideal proportions of soluble and insoluble fiber? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/7 "2007-10-04T19:27:11Z")
Oh, and apparently Benefiber has changed the formulation of their product to use wheat dextrin instead of partially hydrolyzed guar gum: > **[Fiber in Your Life | Benefiber Fiber Supplement](https://www.benefiber.com/fiber-in-your-life/?faqs)** > > Fiber is an essential part of your overall well-being. Learn more about the role fiber plays in your life & ways to get more of it. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-dietary-fiber/421488/8 "2007-10-04T19:57:25Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray] And can anyone speak to the ideal proportions of soluble and insoluble fiber? [/QUOTE] In what I’ve read, I’ve seen suggestions for 75:25 insoluble to soluble. But because of IBS, I’m forced to change that ratio considerably, and I’ve never seen anything that suggests reversing it (for example) is a problem. The two fibers behave differently in your intestines, so it might end up as more what your specific body needs. Here’s an article that seems to agree with everything I’ve read: > **[Soluble and Insoluble Fiber: What’s the Difference?](https://www.myfooddiary.com/blog/soluble-and-insoluble-fiber-whats-the-difference)** > > While neither soluble nor insoluble fiber is digested or absorbed, each type provides health benefits.