Digestive problems comprise the number one health problem in North America. And our bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with toxins found in the environment and in the foods we eat. Getting adequate fiber and cleansing, or detoxifying, are two often overlooked elements of maintaining not only digestive health but also whole body health. AIM Herbal Fiberblend � provides the fiber that is often lacking in our diets and cleansing herbs. This unique combination provides the perfect way to maintain your digestive health, keep your digestive system clean, and experience other benefits that are indicative of whole body health.

Fiber

Fiber has long been recognized as one of the best food ingredients for maintaining bowel regularity and preventing constipation. Because it normalizes bowel movements, it can also be used to treat and manage chronic diarrhea. (Murray 1996) Consuming fiber reduces transit time and results in a more thorough evacuation of waste materials. It is thought to improve all aspects of colon function. Fiber is found only in fruits and plants. It is an indigestible complex carbohydrate and, therefore, adds few, if any, calories to the diet. There are two main types of fiber�water-soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are required in the daily diet, in the recommended ratio of 3:1 insoluble fiber to water-soluble fiber. (Shikany 2000)

Water-soluble fiber

Water-soluble fiber dissolves in water and is found in oat bran, legumes, psyllium, nuts, beans, pectins, and various fruits and vegetables. It forms a bulky gel in the intestine that regulates the flow of waste materials through the digestive tract. Water-soluble fiber may lower cholesterol by preventing the reabsorption of bile acids. Bile acids are made from cholesterol, and after they aid fat digestion, fiber binds with them and escorts them out of the body. The liver then has to pull more cholesterol from the blood. In a meta-analysis of 67 controlled trials, it was found that some water-soluble fiber lowers the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) without affecting the good cholesterol (HDL). (Brown 1999) A similar double-blind study found that psyllium lowered LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL cholesterol. (Anderson 1999) Water-soluble fiber may also stabilize blood sugar by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood. Plus, it can lower blood sugar levels. Researchers have found that increasing fiber intake results in a decrease in the body�s need for insulin. (Nuttall 1993) Psyllium supplementation, in particular, has been shown to improve blood sugar levels in diabetics. (Anderson 2000)

Insoluble fiber

Insoluble fiber cannot be dissolved in water, meaning that our bodies cannot digest it. This type of fiber includes the undissolvable parts of plant walls and is found in greatest amounts in cereals, brans, and vegetables. The primary function of insoluble fiber is to collect water that increases stool bulk in the large intestine. This promotes bowel movement, and as the bulk works through the intestine, it scours the intestinal walls of waste matter, reducing the risk of colon-related problems.

Fiber in the diet

Most nutritionists recommend consuming 25 to 40 grams of fiber per day. The average American consumes 10 to 15 grams. The average Canadian consumes 4.5 to 11 grams. A variety of epidemiological (disease and population) studies have found that in populations with high-fiber diets, the incidences of colon cancer, appendicitis, and diverticulosis are very low. Industrialized countries, which largely have diets high in fat and low in fiber, have high incidences of these diseases. Because fiber is low in calories, it can be added to your diet, providing a greater feeling of satiety without significantly increasing your caloric intake. In addition, fiber�s ability to stabilize blood sugar may also curb the desire to snack. In other words, you may find yourself eating less. This is beneficial in weight-loss programs.

Cleansing, detox, and herbs

The concept of body cleansing has been with us for centuries. Today, many health practitioners recognize the importance of keeping the body in harmony to prevent sickness; it is often referred to as cleansing or detoxification. Many health practitioners believe that as our world becomes increasingly polluted with toxins found in the environment and in the foods we eat, cleansing become more important.

Why cleanse?

Toxins undermine our health. Elson Haas, M.D., in his book Staying Healthy with Nutrition (1992), defines a toxin simply as "any substance that creates irritating and/or harmful effects in the body, undermining our health or stressing our biochemical or organ functions." More specifically, a body overloaded with toxins can result in a number of symptoms. These include constipation, stomach bloat, poor digestion, gas, fatigue, weight gain, excessive mucus, poor concentration, headaches, poor skin, poor memory, depression, body odor, and bad breath. Some health practitioners relate toxins to specific diseases. (Buist 1988, Bland 1997) They believe that chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and fibromyalgia (muscle and joint pain) may be related to toxin exposure. A new medical category, clinical ecology, deals exclusively with how toxins in the environment affect our health.

Cleansing

The body does have a system in place for detoxifying harmful toxins. The most important cleansing organ is the liver. Eliminative channels include the bowels (the digestive system), kidneys, skin, lungs, and lymphatic system. When the body is not overburdened with toxins and is performing well, blood carries toxins to the liver, which uses enzymes to detoxify harmful substances. They are rendered harmless or converted into a water- soluble form that is eliminated via the urine or feces. Unfortunately, this system can handle only so many toxins and was designed for "natural" toxins, not the man-made ones we have to deal with today. For example, protection against an age-old toxin�alcohol�is built into our genes. One gene codes an enzyme to convert alcohol into substances that the body can use or excrete. Our body does not, however, always know how to handle the new toxins in our lives. It cannot under-stand how to excrete them, and they may accumulate to harmful quantities or be converted to odd, unknown substances that can interfere with metabolism. According to the textbook Nutrition Concepts and Controversies (Sizer 2000), this can result in cancers or birth defects. Today, there are different ways to cleanse the body. Among these are baths and hydrotherapy, diet and nutrition, herbs, chelation, and exercise. Herbal supplementation, often in conjunction with other methods, has been used for ages and is one of the most popular ways to cleanse. Herbs are said to promote cleansing by eliminating toxins from the organs and systems of the body.

AIM Herbal Fiberblend �

One tablespoon (7-8 g depending on the flavor) of AIM Herbal Fiberblend � contain 4 to 5 grams of fiber. AIM Herbal Fiberblend � contains both insoluble and soluble fiber. Psyllium, the main source of fiber in the product, has over 8 times the bulking power of oat bran. Psyllium is approximately 75 to 80 percent dietary fiber, 60 to 70 percent of which is soluble fiber. The herbs in AIM Herbal Fiberblend � bring you powerful detoxification effects. AIM Herbal Fiberblend � is one of the most valuable fiber and herbal products available today. AIM Herbal Fiberblend � is a professional formulation of herbs in a convenient, easy-to-use powder or vegetarian capsule. No grinding and mixing herbs yourself! The powder is available unflavored or in raspberry flavor.