Evidence supporting the use of: Fiber
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Synopsis: Dietary fiber is widely recognized and recommended as a first-line treatment for constipation in children, supported by a solid body of scientific evidence. Fiber increases stool bulk and promotes regular bowel movements by retaining water in the intestinal tract, making stools softer and easier to pass. Clinical guidelines from major pediatric and gastroenterology organizations, such as the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), endorse the use of fiber in managing childhood constipation, especially functional constipation.
Multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews (e.g., Tabbers et al., 2011, Cochrane Review) have shown that increasing dietary fiber can improve stool frequency and consistency in children with constipation, although the degree of benefit can vary depending on the type and amount of fiber and the baseline diet of the child. Soluble fibers (such as psyllium) and insoluble fibers (such as wheat bran) both appear to be beneficial, though some studies suggest that not all children respond equally.
Despite robust evidence, experts note that excessive fiber without adequate fluid intake may worsen symptoms, and not all children with constipation are fiber-deficient. Nonetheless, increasing fiber intake through diet or supplements is a low-risk, evidence-based intervention that forms a core part of constipation management in children.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-FucosyllactoseAgar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by fiber
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Arteriosclerosis
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Crohn's Disease
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Fatty Liver Disease
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Hemorrhoids
Hypertension
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
