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When discussing obesity with your patients, it’s important to highlight the benefits of proper fiber intake. Explaining to your patients how fiber improves overall digestion, and their well-being can be a good starting point. Offering a real-world example can also be useful for patient comprehension.

“Fiber is like a clean-up crew that helps to get rid of the dirt, grime, and waste that is left behind like after moving out of an apartment or home,” explained Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a registered dietitian nutritionist in the Boston area and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“Sometimes, I also say that fiber is like a broom that sweeps away the garbage in the colon; it also acts like a sponge to soak up and remove the bad cholesterol, thereby reducing inflammation and risk of disease.”

Fiber’s Impact on Patient Health

Personalizing the benefits of fiber can be helpful in your discussions with patients, according to Anderson-Haynes, who is also the owner of 360Girls&Women, a holistic health and wellness resource that provides corporate wellness workshops, health and wellness coaching, and other services.

“When working with my patients, I focus on what their health concerns are and tie in fiber into the equation,” she said. For example, if a patient is struggling with elevated blood glucose levels, addressing fiber intake is a great opportunity to showcase its importance and to suggest appropriate ways to add more fiber to their diet, she noted.

Furthermore, in her sessions with patients, she inquires about their consumption of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and whole grains.

“I compare what they are consuming to what the recommendations are based on their specific health profile — age, medical history, etc. — and I then discuss their disease risk based on what the evidence shows us about those who follow low-fiber diet and those who meet the recommendations,” Anderson-Haynes said.

In addition, a helpful explanation about physiologic benefits is beneficial. “It’s important to discuss how fiber is essential for good intestinal health,” said James Dasher, MD, a bariatric surgeon at Novant Health Bariatric Solutions in Kernersville, North Carolina. “It helps keep the colon on an ‘even keel’ and helps both diarrhea and constipation. So for patients with loose bowels — like gastric bypass patients — it firms up the bowel movement and makes it more normal. In constipated patients, it helps soften the bowel movement and makes it easier to pass.”

Fiber also helps prevent diverticulitis (inflamed colon), as well as hemorrhoids, the surgeon said.

Directives for Fiber Supplements

Dasher suggested psyllium fiber as a great way to start. “Patients do not need fancy or expensive supplements,” he said.

Some patients may be particularly interested in fiber supplementation due to its impact on satiety. “One of the benefits for patients to consume more fiber is that it lowers cholesterol,” Dasher said. “Once consumed, fiber expands in the stomach and makes you feel full.”

Patients with high cholesterol can also benefit from a fiber boost.

A Standford Medicine study revealed that high fiber consumption “led to a rise in gut bacteria-derived bile acids, which break down cholesterol and other lipids, and that there was a decrease in certain lipids.”

Additionally, studies have demonstrated that metabolic diseases — such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease — are reduced with the consumption of dietary fiber due to gut microbiome changes and reduction of inflammatory pathways.

Another benefit is what fiber intake produces, which plays a role in the inflammatory processes in the body and benefits the gut, brain, heart, and even hormone health, according to Anderson-Haynes. “Dietary fiber is the greatest producer of short-chain fatty acid,” she said.

Natural Ways to Boost Fiber

Anderson-Haynes encourages patients to focus on plants, since “natural fiber is only found in plants such as nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.” She also recommends using a plate guide for better illustration.

“The plate guide is helpful in adding ½ nonstarchy vegetables, ¼ carbohydrates — like a whole grain or starchy vegetable — and ¼ protein of choice; adding plant-based proteins significantly increases fiber intake — tofu, legumes, and more,” Anderson-Haynes said.

Other suggestions for patients include adding fruit, nuts, and even seeds to smoothies or breakfast fruit bowls.

“Also, replacing typical high-glycemic cereals with oats, buckwheat, and even cornmeal as a porridge for breakfast topped with nuts and seeds are other ways I encourage my patients to increase fiber intake,” the registered dietitian nutritionist recommended.

Risks of Overconsuming Fiber

Be sure to encourage patients to consult with a healthcare provider before taking a fiber supplement, as a personalized approach is best.

“Too much fiber intake coupled with not enough fluids, for example, can cause serious abdominal discomfort and other unwanted problems,” cautioned Anderson-Haynes.