Why is it general consensus that fiber can infact be constipating?
#368239 - 09/24/12 05:26 AM
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You hear alot of word around the internet and IBS boards that fiber worsens their constipation. And this isn't for people working up to the recommended for constipation 20-30g of fiber supplementation a day. But more people who take lower doses of 3g per serving once or twice per day. They claim increased constipation.
Now i've always been of the assumption that fiber doesn't necessarily solve all cases or help drastically, but its only recently that ive heard the view that it increases or can cause constipation.
Maybe this is one of those 'mental' things in which people attribute the fiber to the symptoms.
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In the 1998 a well known GI doctor published a paper titled Bran: May Irritate Irritable Bowel. This suggested that insoluble fiber supplements can be a problem for individuals with all subtypes of IBS. On the other hand, some clinical research shows that soluble fiber supplements maybe of little benefit to some individuals with IBS. However, some soluble fiber supplements like inulin are rapidly fermented causes gas and spasms which could increase constipation. So it can dependent on which soluble fiber supplement is used.
One factor that gets little discussion is methane gas produced by bacteria in the colon can increase constipation. The more methane produced by methanogenic bacteria in the colonic flora the more constipation. However, not everyone has methanogenic bacteria in their colonic flora. So it is possible that for some people some soluble fiber supplements maybe fermented by methanogenic bacteria increasing methane gas production and therefore increasing constipation.
It likely isn't a mind thing but rather a physiological phenomena. 
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I'm curious how would the fiber caused constipation manifest? Would it be in the shape of hard stools?
For me the problem is I just find it difficult to get that 'urge' to go. I've never really struggled passing whats there. So I have to drink coffee or take a walk.
If I cut my fiber right down I also find I suffer from nasty incomplete evactuation. So that I only pass smaller pieces.
The thing thats worrying is the way fiber is pushed by basically everyone is like its the cure all, if you have IBS, work up to a higher dose of soluable fiber supplement. And i really do think most people follow it fairly blindly.
You also hear of reports of people getting obstructions from Fiber, although I think you would know if you were suffering from obstruction or constipation.
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It is highly unlikely one can get an obstruction with fiber unless one is not drinking enough fluids.
Constipation by definition is have 2 or fewer bowel movements per week. Diarrhea is defined as having 3 or more bowel movements per day.
Many small hard bowel movements per days is sometimes considered to be pseudodiarrhea .
What you describe sounds like there are still trigger foods in your diet that is causing bowel spasms producing many small hard stools per day and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. You might benefit by looking more closely at the foods in your diet. Have you looked at the FODMAP approach for managing IBS symptoms? The first two links in my signature will give you a good overview. Many of us on the board use the FODMAP approach along with Heathers Eating for IBS diet with reasonable results.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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