FIBRE: SHOULD I TAKE A SUPPLEMENT?

Unless a problem crops up, which is relatively rare, it simply doesn't matter. Undiagnosed it is Diverticulosis, (but how would anyone know), diagnosed without any current issue it is Diverticular disease, and if it flares up, it is Diverticulitis. To my mind the official advice flies in the face of common sense. Ironically the first stirrings when starting Metformin, were a god send.

Skyrider said:

Thanks for the tips.

Regarding the conspiracy thinkers: yes, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, if you'll pardon the pun!

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Well, conspiracy thinking has become the norm so it's that much harder to find the truth. It also doesn't help that online platforms, social-media etc. make it easier for people to remain within their own tribes, only taking information from within. Confirmation and survivorship bias can make echo-chambers out of what would otherwise be just groups of like-minded people. Add in a huge ideological bent, and it becomes even more difficult to question the accepted rhetoric to try to reach the truth. But that's really what people need to do, even if it means being ousted from said groups as a result.

It would be very amusing and merely interesting if the conspiracy/conspiracy theorist discussion was merely theoretical, an entertaining narrative, but when it comes to health and toileting comfort - it's a very real very up front and personal issue! Isn't it?!

With everything where there is a controversy in diet my own line is - always apply logic, first and foremost. Think like an engineer, or someone on 'Repair Shop'. I was 16 when the dietary recommendations from above came in promoting the lipid-CVD theory big time in my own home country, and when the new dwarf wheat became the only one, and I have been kicking myself that I was such a gullible idiot ever since. The fibre plug (!!!!) came in at the same time, especially with the high carb/high wheat and grain, low fat/UHP vege oil recommendations.

After the logic and thinking the process through - then experiment on your own diet and physical response. Test the theories. That's the kicker really. Don't take anyone's word for it, in the diet arena. And on the topic of conspiracies - just think - huge multinational companies, rather than 'do aliens live among us ?' - apply the engineering principle to how those mega companies operate. How they work, follow the money, etc etc. And of course - human nature.

And nice and easy to follow your own physical responses and body-reality? Yes! (Well it is for me.)

(ps I was at a dinner party recently where the discussion of are there aliens living amongst us came up, hence the example.)

Skyrider said:

Thanks for the links, very helpful. I already eat most of those but can add more to help me get there. Having viewed the videos mentioned above, I'm now uncertain as to how far I need to go with this. The '30 g' recommendation seems very generalised & controversial.

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It's your body that's important here, not some arbitrary number. If you are pooing enough for you, you are getting enough fibre. If you are experiencing constipation, add some more fibre until everything is moving, but then resume a normal for you diet. You will learn what is best for your body, not for "everyone else".

My personal story…not endorsing anything. I have always eaten well, diligently eating my veggies, low fat, bit of meat…everything they told us to do. A colonoscopy revealed diverticulosis and doc recommended taking a fibre supplement. Absolutely. I’ll do that…and I did, religiously for years despite the constant bloating, loose bowel movements and always uncomfortable. Next colonoscopy comes around, so excited for good news….what I got was a slap in the face, advanced diverticulosis. So tired of the bloating I quit the supplement and went low carb. Still ate lots of veg but started getting horrid gas pains, I eventually quit the salads and had instant relief. Around this time I was diagnosed with diabetes (due to a damaged pancreas from pancreatitis years earlier). Carbs got lower and lower, blood sugar very stubborn. I am now carnivore (I am a 67 year old female, lift weights, walk a ton, not overweight) and have zero fibre and I couldn't be happier. I have NO intestinal issues and the plumbing works perfectly. Blood glucose much improved too….its a win win!
again, this is my n=1 experiment.

I have education and I don't trust anybody!

Seriously - doctors are sentient beings and some will always be better than others, and they each have their own areas of expertise. Anyone can have an off-day, or think they know more than they do. A decent medic will appreciate people who do their own research. Ideally we should be a team not a takeover.