I once owned a health food store and was frequently asked questions about fiber, “what’s the best brand, best ingredients…?” About 80% of the fiber we displayed contained psyllium husks. One day, older gentlemen came in with a list of vitamins his wife had sent him in for. She made it clear; she did not want a fiber formula containing psyllium husks. I led the gentlemen to the fiber section and was surprised how difficult it was to find a brand that did not contain psyllium. Trying to salvage the sale, I asked, why can’t your wife have psyllium? Then, I explained to him, it’s the most popular fiber source and that’s why so many companies are using it. He immediately replied, “Because it has the reverse effect on us”. He then began to tell me a little information about psyllium husks and why companies choose to use it.
Apparently all psyllium husks (plantago psyllium) come from India and are most likely sprayed with pesticides or exposed to pollution. He explained that psyllium is very inexpensive to produce and that’s why companies use it in Metamucil and most over the counter fiber supplements. He further explained how psyllium could actually cause dehydration in the lower bowel, making it more difficult to have bowel movements if not consumed with plenty of water. That’s the reason why there are so many warning labels on fiber products that contain psyllium. When I checked all the labels, he was correct. All of them had extensive warnings except for one brand. That brand was Living Stream Complete Soluble Fiber.
I began reading out loud, the ingredients off the label… Bamboo Plant Fiber, Apple Pectin, Beet Powder, Fenugreek Seed Powder, Oat Powder, Rice Solubles, Konjac Fiber, Peppermint Leaf Powder, Ginger Root Powder, Aloe Vera Gel Powder, Chlorella Powder and Slippery Elm Bark Powder. As I managed to catch my breath, he looked at me and said “SOLD!” and grabbed two containers. Several weeks went by, I shared my story with other customers and Living Stream Complete Soluble Fiber became not only the most popular, but the most effective fiber product on the store shelf. I received nothing but positive feedback from my customers who were previously taking fiber products containing psyllium. I guess that old saying is correct, “The customer is always right”. For more information about our intestinal nutrition, please visit our website.
