Patient/caregiver was educated on disadvantages of excessive dietary fiber as follows:
- Fiber requirements of an average adult vary around 25 – 30 grams per day.
- Fiber always absorbs lot of fluid in the gastrointestinal tract, for it to be able to perform intended function. To facilitate this, fiber intake must always be supplemented with fluid intake accordingly.
- Increased consumption of fluid by excessive fiber can result in increased risk for dehydration. This risk could be even higher in individuals noncompliant with increased fluid intake recommendations.
- Noncompliance with fluid intake requirements and low fluid volume in the stomach and intestines can result in accumulation of excessive fiber in the bowels, slowing down of bowel movements, and constipation. In severe cases, excessive fiber can also result in intestinal blockage.
