Editing Dietary fiber (section)

===United States===
Current recommendations from the United States [[National Academy of Medicine]] (NAM) (formerly Institute of Medicine) of the [[National Academy of Sciences]] state that for [[Dietary Reference Intake|Adequate Intake]], adult men ages 19–50 consume 38 grams of dietary fiber per day, men 51 and older 30 grams, women ages 19–50 to consume 25 grams per day, women 51 and older 21 grams. These are based on three studies observing that people in the highest quintile of fiber intake consumed a median of 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 Calories and had the lowest risk of coronary heart disease, especially for those who ate more cereal fiber.<ref name=lpi/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Institute of Medicine |title=Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids |date=2005 |publisher=The National Academies Press |location=Washington, DC |pages=387–8 |doi=10.17226/10490 |isbn=978-0-309-08525-0 |url=https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/9#387 |access-date=8 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=USDA-IOM/>

The U.S. [[Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics]] (AND) reiterates the recommendations of the NAM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/fiber|title=Fiber|website=www.eatright.org|language=en|access-date=11 October 2019}}</ref> A 1995 research team's recommendation for children is that intake should equal age in years plus 5 g/day (e.g., a 4-year-old should consume 9 g/day).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=Christine L. |last2=Bollella |first2=Marguerite |last3=Wynder |first3=Ernst L. |title=A New Recommendation for Dietary Fiber in Childhood |journal=Pediatrics |date=November 1995 |volume=96 |issue=5 |pages=985–8 |doi=10.1542/peds.96.5.985 |pmid=7494677 |s2cid=39644070 |url=https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/96/5/985 |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wilkinson Enns |first1=Cecilia |last2=Mickle |first2=Sharon J. |last3=Goldman |first3=Joseph D. |title=Trends in Food and Nutrient Intakes by Children in the United States |journal=Family Economics and Nutrition Review |date=2002 |volume=14 |issue=1 |page=64 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6cJlzOR4WQC |access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> The NAM's current recommendation for children is 19 g/day for age 1–3 years and 25 g/day for age 4–8 years.<ref name=lpi/> No guidelines have yet been established for the elderly or very ill. Patients with current [[constipation]], [[vomiting]], and [[abdominal pain]] should see a physician. Certain bulking agents are not commonly recommended with the prescription of [[opioid]]s because the slow transit time mixed with larger stools may lead to severe constipation, pain, or obstruction.

On average, North Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels recommended for good health. In the preferred food choices of today's youth, this value may be as low as 20%, a factor considered by experts as contributing to the [[obesity]] levels seen in many [[developed countries]].<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Suter PM |title=Atherosclerosis: Diet and Drugs |chapter=Carbohydrates and dietary fiber |issue=170 |pages=231–61 |year=2005 |pmid=16596802 |doi=10.1007/3-540-27661-0_8 |volume=170 |series=Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology |isbn=978-3-540-22569-0|s2cid=37892002 }}</ref> Recognizing the growing scientific evidence for physiological benefits of increased fiber intake, regulatory agencies such as the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) have given approvals to food products making health claims for fiber. The FDA classifies which ingredients qualify as being "fiber", and requires for product labeling that a physiological benefit is gained by adding the fiber ingredient.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/23/558761819/the-fda-will-decide-if-these-26-ingredients-count-as-fiber|title=The FDA Will Decide Whether 26 Ingredients Count As Fiber|publisher=National Public Radio| vauthors = Aubrey A |date=23 October 2017|access-date=19 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> As of 2008, the FDA approved [[health claim]]s for qualified fiber products to display labeling that regular consumption may reduce [[blood cholesterol]] levels &ndash; which can lower the risk of [[coronary heart disease]]<ref>[http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=101.77 Health claims: fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain fiber, particularly soluble fiber, and risk of coronary heart disease.] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: US Government Printing Office, current as of 20 October 2008</ref> &ndash; and also reduce the risk of some types of cancer.<ref>[http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=101.78 Health claims: fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables and cancer.] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: US Government Printing Office, current as of 20 October 2008</ref>

Viscous fiber sources gaining FDA approval are:<ref name=lpi/>

* [[Psyllium]] seed husk (7&nbsp;grams per day)
* [[Beta-glucan]] from [[oat bran]], whole [[oat]]s, or [[rolled oats]]; or whole grain or dry-milled [[barley]] (3&nbsp;grams per day)

Other examples of bulking fiber sources used in [[functional food]]s and supplements include [[cellulose]], [[guar gum]] and [[xanthan gum]]. Other examples of fermentable fiber sources (from plant foods or biotechnology) used in functional foods and supplements include [[resistant starch]], [[inulin]], [[fructan]]s, fructooligo saccharides, oligo- or polysaccharides, and resistant [[dextrin]]s, which may be partially or fully fermented.

Consistent intake of fermentable fiber may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.<ref name=tungland/><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lee YP, Puddey IB, Hodgson JM | title = Protein, fibre and blood pressure: potential benefit of legumes | journal = Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology | volume = 35 | issue = 4 | pages = 473–6 | date = April 2008 | pmid = 18307744 | doi = 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.04899.x | s2cid = 25086200 | author-link1 = Yuan-Pern Lee }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Theuwissen E, Mensink RP | title = Water-soluble dietary fibers and cardiovascular disease | journal = Physiology & Behavior | volume = 94 | issue = 2 | pages = 285–92 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18302966 | doi = 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.01.001 | s2cid = 30898446 }}</ref> Insufficient fiber in the diet can lead to [[constipation]].<ref name=WebMDConst>{{cite web|website=WebMD|title=What Is Constipation?|url=http://www.webmd.com/content/article/90/100651.htm|date=2017|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>