Integrated Supplements
Fiber Balance

**Soluble fiber from oat bran-containing products like Integrated Supplements Fiber Balance, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Integrated Supplements Fiber Balance contains 0.75 grams of the three grams of soluble fiber from oat bran necessary per day to have this effect.

Supports Weight Loss* Supports Digestive Health* Lowers Cholesterol** All-Natural Mixes Smooth and Creamy Made with 5 Types of Fiber 10 Grams of Fiber Per Serving No Psyllium No Flax OU Kosher Certified

Integrated Supplements Fiber Balance Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal - 350 grams   Certain types of soluble fiber, called prebiotics, can support the growth of healthy bacteria in our intestines, and may be responsible for fiber’s unique benefits in relation to cardiovascular health,* weight control,* and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Fiber Balance is formulated with 5 types of fiber – each chosen for their unique prebiotic and health-promoting benefits.

Fibersol2^TM

Fibersol2^TM is a soluble fiber which has been shown to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels and insulin response.

Inulin

Inulin is a naturally-occurring fiber often found in root vegetables. It has been shown to enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and may aid in the absorption of minerals such as calcium.

Oligofructose / Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

Oligofructose (aka Fructooligosaccharides or FOS) Imparts health benefits similar to those of inulin (the polysaccharides which make up oligofructose are shorter chains than those found in inulin).

Apple Fiber

Apple fiber is a well-known source of pectin and is revered for its digestion-supporting and detoxifying effects.

What You Won't Find in Fiber Balance

Fiber Balance is unique among fiber supplements in that we didn’t include common “fiber” ingredients such as psyllium and flaxseeds. Here's why:

No Psyllium

When mixed with liquids, psyllium can absorb many times its weight in water, and can quickly become gelatinous and very difficult to drink. Because just a small amount of psyllium can expand to a very large volume in the presence of liquids, it’s difficult to take in more than a just a few grams of fiber per day from psyllium. We created Fiber Balance with a full 10 grams of fiber per serving, and unlike psyllium-containing products, Fiber Balance doesn’t gel up – it mixes smooth and creamy and tastes great.

No Flaxseeds

As the "offspring" of plants, nature designed seeds not only to supply nutrition to growing plants, but also to provide resistace to the digestive systems of foraging animals. As such, though seeds can be sources of fiber and nutrients, they’re sometimes sources of mildly-toxic elements as well.

It just so happens that flaxseeds contain quite a few such plant-based toxins.

For example, flaxseeds contain a relatively large amount of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Though these fatty acids are necessary in small amounts, they are also apt to go rancid rather quickly, and can cause digestive disturbance as a result. It’s no coincidence that fiber supplements which contain ground flaxseed often have the unmistakable paint-like aroma of rancid flax-based lipids.

Flax seeds are also, by far, nature’s richest source of phytoestrogenic compounds called lignans. Flax lignans have been shown to have powerful hormone-like effects in the human body, and are likely to add to the detoxifying burden of the liver.

In addition to its fragile fats and hormonal components, raw flax is known to contain substances called cyanogenic glycosides which can be converted into the well–known toxin, hydrogen cyanide, by the gut flora. It's probably the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, and not dietary fiber, which is responsible for the bowel-stimulating or laxative effect of flaxseeds. People taking "fiber supplements" containing flaxseeds should be aware of this, because like many other harsh laxatives, the body can eventually become dependent on flax. As a result, flax is likely to actually impair proper bowel function in the long-run.

Prebiotics – The Key to Fiber's Benefits

For years, scientists and laypeople alike thought of dietary fiber simply as the indigestible component of plant foods which “sweeps” out our insides and keeps us regular. In recent years, however, it’s been found that some types of fiber offer benefits far beyond the digestive system. Certain types of fiber, called prebiotics, are able to support the growth and maintenance of healthy bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria not only help to keep us regular, they’re likely involved in every aspect of our health.

Research has found, for example, that healthy bacterial populations in the intestines may play a role in regulating blood lipids and cardiovascular health,* blood sugar regulation,* appetite control and weight loss.* Believe it or not, even our moods can be influenced by the bacteria that inhabit our intestines. It’s fair to say, however, that our modern fiber-poor diet has a negative effect on the levels and types of healthy bacteria in our intestines.

This exciting and emerging field of research is why we formulated Fiber Balance with 5 types of fiber – each with a unique prebiotic effect, helping to support the growth of many types of beneficial bacteria throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This is why fiber supplements formulated with a single fiber source simply can’t compare to Fiber Balance.