http://familydoctor.org/online/famdo...cines/861.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...-psyllium.html

http://www.drugs.com/drp/benefiber-supplement.html
Now do you know what it is?
See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guar_gum YEP, GUAR GUM!
Guar gum is used as a thickener for sauces, wallpaper pastes toothpastes, shampoos and let's not forget Hydroseeding!

Yep, I'll stick with bland simple cereals, maybe add some fruit? - j

PS anyone have that prune-paste recipe? I know it's mentioned on BC Boards, but not lately....
There is also a paste that includes sesame or flaxseed, but I can't remember where! I hate not recalling 100%! Ill find it! Hugs all...

Hi.

I just looked at the ingredients in my Benefiber and on the side it says

"wheat dextrin".

doesn't mention Guar Gum

How come?

Melody

Never mind. I just went to the Benefiber home page and found out that they reformulated it. They don't use Guar Gum anymore

Maybe they should have stayed with Guar Gum?? I don't like what they said about wheat dextrin and how it's made.

I can't win!!

lol
Melody

Here 'tis:

Yakima Valley Anti-Constipation Fruit Paste


1 lb pitted prunes
4 ozs senna tea leaves (at health foods store)
1 lb raisins
1 lb figs
1 cup lemon juice
1. Prepare tea; use about 2 1/2 cups boiled water, add to tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea and remove tea leaves.
3. Place 2 cups of tea, or amount left, in large pot.
4. Add all of the fruit to the tea.
5. Boil fruit and tea for 15 - 20 minutes, until soft.
6. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Allow to cool.
7. Use hand mixer/blender or food processor to turn fruit and tea mix into a paste.
8. Place in glass jars or Tupperware and place in freezer (paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer also very long in fridge).
DOSAGE: 1 - 2 Tablespoons per day

Suggestions for use:
Can be spread on toast, english muffin, bagel, bran muffin or rice cake. Good breakfast. lunch, or snack: toasted bagel or english muffin, spread with low fat cream cheese or goat cheese and topped with fruit paste.
For a change of flavor mix in some raspberry or strawberry jam.
The first time I made this, I cut the recipe in half, used the full recipe after that. The stuff seems to work just fine, as long as you use it regularly .... it's all natural, no chemicals, no preservatives, just a little bit of money and time invested.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Notes:

-. Use hand mixer or food processor to blend fruit mixture into smooth paste.
-. Place in plastic container and place in freezer. (Paste will not freeze but will keep forever in freezer).
-. Spoon out what you require each day.

- Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon.
Spread it on toast or add hot water and make a drink.

* If the fruit paste is not working (you are not having bowel movements) then you need to increase the amount of fruit paste you are taking.

* If the fruit paste makes you have very loose stools then you need to cut down on the amount of fruit paste you are taking. Perhaps even taking it every other day in some cases.

I would leave the Senna out, myself.

The rest looks okay... It would work on me just reading about it!

Some people use sorbitol too. I am hesitant to suggest it, because diabetic neuropathy involves sorbitol in the nerves.

But if someone wants to try it.... It is in some sugar free candies (you have to read labels carefully) and also in sugar free maple pancake syrups.

Some people with longstanding constipation, turn out to have gluten intolerance. Anyone with this problem, and not taking constipating drugs, but just constipated for no reason, should investigate gluten issues.

I wouldn't go near sorbitol if you gave it to me FREE.

Runs right through me, with cramping. Haven't used it in years. I read all the labels so I know what I put in my body. If I see sorbitol, forget it.

Like what happened with the Imitation Crab meat. Those things have sorbitol in them. As well as other stuff. Didn't know that.

Some time ago, I picked up a package. I believe it was called Oyster flakes. I made a salad and added some of the chunks of the imitation crab stuff.

Well!!!! one hour later I was in the bathroom. I said to my husband "what the heck happened?" I knew what I had just eaten. I checked the label. SORBITOL.

From that day on, I NEVER BUY ANYTHING without reading labels. I am so shocked at what they put in packages, that's why I mainly eat what I grow in my kitchen.

And I think I keep using benefiber because it's a mental thing with me. I like to go to the bathroom every morning when I come home after breakfast. Sets me up for the day. I feel good.

I feel like a brand new person after this.

I don't see much harm in continuing to use the small amounts of benefiber that I do use. I drink plenty of water.

Absolutely EVERY ONE of my friends have constipation. ALL OF THEM. Most are over the age of 60. They don't eat fruits and vegetables. They live on carbs and they say to me "How can you go to the bathroom".

I expain that I don't eat any refined carbs, I eat my veggies, and I drink my water, and I take a bit of benefiber in the am. and again in the p.m. I don't always remember to take the benefiber in the p.m. so maybe I'm using two teaspoons a day, but for me, it works just fine.

I just read on the internet, that many people with IBS, well benefiber saved their lives. They always had diarrhea and cramping, and for some reason, benefiber makes them go one time in the morning, relieves their gas and bloating and they say "I wouldn't be without it'.

I have no idea why it works for them, but who cares.

Constipation can ruin a person's whole day. You walk around with this full feeling, and you think "oh m god, I can't go to the bathroom, etc. etc."

So when you don't have to take enemas, and you find a product that won't kill you, and you go naturally every morning, without taking any stimulants, I say "go for it'.

And believe me ...

I GO!!!

lol
P.S. I make my own greek yogurt with live active cultures. It's great for the calcium. But I won't take calcium pills EVER. They constipate me.

Let's not forget one of the best things for keeping regular - exercise, if you can tolerate it. If I get a walk in daily, things "go" much better for me

Very interesting what works for some won't work for others - again, must be like medications; one man's salvation is another's poison.

That's why I WALK the 12 blocks to the breakfast cafe and back.

By the time I get back, I'm ready to 'GO'

lol
Melody

I've seen it on BC sites and on other pain sites and could I find it for the life of me? NOT! Prune Jam.... Recommended for many issues! Whew! I don't think I've found a pain relief pill that doesn't possibly or actually cause 'blockage'!
Reading food labels is second nature to me due to family issues,,, not too much sugar or salt or artificials in foods? Then there is an allergic reaction to sunflower seed oil and oils concentrates... http://www.allallergy.net/fapaidfind.cfm?cdeoc=1490
I myself cannot use one great skin product because it uses the oils...broke out in a VERY NASTY bout of HIVES!
As for bad PN? That capper tag I have? Says I can't walk 100 FEET safely! And, On a good day I can! But am bushed for the next two days after. My goal has been and still IS to be able to walk a mile w/o a day of pain afterwards! So, Mel? You are doing too good!
Hugs and hope to all! 's - j

***Not to hijack this thread (which so far has provided me with a lot of good information about the embarrASSing problem of {whispers} constipation as well as humor -- lots of quippy people around here), but,

what is it with "greek" yogurt? My wife sees a program on TV about it and now that's all she will eat.

Cowboy