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Benefits

• Reduced transit time
• More balanced assimilation of food
• More thorough evacuation of waste
• Herbal synergism
• Fiber studies show lowered cholesterol and reduced incidences of diverticulosis, colon cancer, and appendicitis

Features

• Proven herbal formula
• Most cost-effective combination
• Has high content of soluble fiber
• Top quality-control standards in the industry
• 13-oz canisters

^AIMHerbal Fiberblend

^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® is a mixture of fiber and herbs that has been specially formulated for maximum contribution to the daily diet. More than 20 years of research and personal use went into the development of ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend.

^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® is an exclusive formulation available only through AIM Members.

Benefits of fiber

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.

Fiber has long been recognized as one of the best food ingredients for maintaining regularity and preventing constipation. Consuming fiber reduces transit time and results in a more thorough evacuation of waste materials.

Because fiber may cause starches and sugars to be absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream, the amount of glucose in the blood is reduced and so is the work required of the pancreas in producing insulin.

Water-soluble fiber may lower cholesterol. This is because fiber removes bile acids from the body, and bile acids are made from cholesterol. In order to replace the bile acids lost to fiber, the body pulls more cholesterol out of the blood. This lowers cholesterol. However, not all water-soluble fiber does this. The fiber found in oat bran, legumes, and psyllium does. Studies reported by Kellogg indicate that a daily intake of 10 grams of psyllium may lower cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.

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 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; simply put, this means that various parts of the body must be in harmony, and if they are not, sickness develops. This harmony was traditionally achieved through diet, internal medicine, purging, vomiting, bleeding, cupping, and other methods.

Today, many health practitioners recognize the importance of keeping the body in harmony; it is often referred to as cleansing or detoxification. Many health practitioners believe that this is particularly important today, as our world is becoming increasingly polluted with toxins found in the environment and in the foods we eat.

Why cleanse?

Toxins undermine our health. Elson Haas, M.D., in his book Staying Healthy with Nutrition, 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. R.A. Buist, M.D., (International Clinical Nutrition; 1988; 8:4) states that chronic fatigue syndrome may be related to toxin exposure. Multiple chemical sensitivity and fibromyalgia (muscle and joint pain) may also be environment-related diseases. Indeed, there is a new medical category, clinical ecology, which deals exclusively with how toxins in the environment affect our health.

Cleansing

The body does have a system in place for detoxifying these 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 doing its job, and is not overburdened with toxins, the blood carries toxins to the liver, which uses enzymes to detoxify the harmful substances. They are rendered harmless or converted into a water-soluble form that is then 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 understand 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, 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. Using herbal supplements, often in conjunction with other methods, is one of the most popular ways to cleanse the body.

Herbs in cleansing

Herbs have been used for cleansing purposes for ages. Herbs are said to promote cleansing by eliminating toxins from the organs and systems of the body.

Two thousand to 3,000 years ago, herbal medicine was practiced in both China and India. About 2,000 years ago, the earliest Chinese pharmacopoeia, the Pen Tsao, appeared. It tried to give an authoritative survey of the medicinal preparations available at the time.

In the West, in the first century a.d., the pharmaceutical guide De Materia Medica was written by the Greek physician Dioscorides. In it, he describes the use of more than 600 different herbs, as well as 35 animal products and 90 minerals.

In the sixteenth century the Swiss-born physician Phillipus Aureolus Paracelsus began to stress the idea that the value of plants is found in their chemical makeup. In other words, he invented the idea of "active ingredients." Scientists began to isolate these ingredients and create them in the laboratory.

Today, more than 25 percent of prescription drugs are derived from plant sources. If you add species such as fungus and molds to this, the number jumps to 50 percent.

Although there is much personal validation on the benefit of herbs, and herbal medicines are prescribed in many countries, there have been few clinical studies on herbs in North America. This is changing, however. More information about herbs is coming from Europe, more studies are being conducted on herbs in North America, and more and more health practitioners are beginning to use herbs for cleansing and other healthful purposes.

^AIMHerbal Fiberblend®

Two tablespoons (18 g) of ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® contain 12 to 13 grams of fiber—most nutritionists recommend 21 to 35 grams of fiber a day.

Psyllium, which is the main fiber source in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend®, has over eight times the bulking power of oat bran. Psyllium is approximately 75 percent to 80 percent dietary fiber, 60 percent to 70 percent of which is soluble fiber. The herbs in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® bring you powerful detoxification effects. Combined, these herbs make ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® one of the most valuable fiber and herb products available today.

^AIMHerbal Fiberblend is a professional formulation of herbs in a convenient, easy-to-use powder. No grinding and mixing herbs yourself! It is available in lemon, cinnamon, and raspberry flavors.

Ingredients

The ingredients in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® work together to help your body help itself. Following are the names of the herbal ingredients. Depending on the flavor, ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® also contains natural cinnamon, raspberry, or lemon flavoring; paprika, capsicum, or stevia.

Alfalfa - Medicago sativa
Black walnut hulls - Juglans nigra
Cascara sagrada - Rhamnus purshiana
Hibiscus flower - Hibiscus sabdariffa
Irish moss - Chondrus crispus
Licorice root - Glycyrrhiza glabra
Marshmallow root - Althaea officinalis
Mullein - Verbascum thapsus
Oatstraw - Avena sativa
Passionflower - Passiflora incarnata
Psyllium - Plantago ovata
Pumpkin seeds - Cucurbita pepo
Shavegrass - Equisetum arvense
Slippery elm bark - Ulmus rubra
Stevia - Stevia rebaudiana
Violet - Viola odorata
Witch hazel - Hamamelis virginiana
Yucca - Yucca schidigera/Yucca brevifolia

How to use AIM Herbal Fiberblend®

Since most people consume less fiber per day than is recommended, you should start out with one-teaspoon (3 g) servings twice a day and gradually increase, over two weeks, to the recommended serving. The recommended serving size per day is based on weight:

• Up to 150 pounds (68 kg): 1 tablespoon (9 g) per day

• 150 - 200 pounds (68 - 90 kg): 11/2 tablespoons (14 g) per day

• 200 pounds or more ( 90+ kg): 2 tablespoons (18 g) per day

• Children should start out with ½ teaspoon (11½ g) per day and gradually increase to 1 teaspoon (3g) per day.

• Use for 3 months for initial program, then as desired.

• Add ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® to 6 to 8 ounces (approx. 240 ml) of water or juice. Remember that the more fiber you consume, the more water you should consume. Drink eight glasses of water per day while using ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend®.

• Take ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® 1 hour before or 30 minutes after taking Barleygreen®, Just Carrots, or RediBeets.

• A few people, notably healthcare providers who have been occupationally exposed to psyllium dust, may develop a sensitivity to psyllium, resulting in an allergic reaction.

• Some of the herbs in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend®, if taken in large quantities, might not be safe for pregnant or lactating women. Although none of the herbs in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® is found in a large quantity, if you are pregnant or lactating you should consult a health practitioner.

• If you are having more than three eliminations per day, you should reduce the serving size. How much to reduce the serving size depends on your weight. This may occur because of differences in metabolism.

• ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend has a shelf life of 3 years, unopened. Store in a cool, dry place (70°- 75° F; 20.1° - 23.8° C). Do not refrigerate.

Q & A

How much fiber should I consume daily? Most nutritionists recommend 21 to 35 grams a day. A maintenance diet for diabetics is about 50 grams a day.

Are high-fiber diets good for everyone? No. Some advanced diseases of the intestines seem to be aggravated by high-fiber diets. If you have a colon disease, check with a health practitioner before beginning a high-fiber diet.

Can high-fiber diets produce mineral deficiencies or remove "good" bacteria? Although research continues on this question, the most recent studies indicate that fiber does none of this. In fact, friendly bacteria actually feed on fiber and thrive on a high-fiber diet.

Can ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® be habit forming? No. None of the constituents of ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend® is habit forming. However, if you stop taking it, you will need to replace the fiber by eating more natural fibers because your body will have grown accustomed to the amount of bulking fiber in ^AIMHerbal Fiberblend. If you do not replace it, you may experience some constipation or irregularity as your body adjusts.

Suggested reading

Fiber
Jensen, Bernard. Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management. Escondido, CA: Bernard Jensen. 1981.

Lorenzani, Shirley S. Dietary Fiber. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc. 1988.

Schumacher, Teresa, and Toni Schumacher Lund. Cleansing the Body and the Colon for a Happier and Healthier You. St. George, UT. 1987.

Herbs
Castleman, Michael. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. 1991.

Lust, John. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books. 1974.

Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. New York: Dorling Kindersley. 1993.