The Truth About Fiber: How It Became Big Business and Why Your Body Doesn’t Actually Need It
Fiber is one of the most praised health ingredients on the market. Doctors recommend it, supplement companies sell it, and the wellness world treats it like a digestive superhero. But is fiber really essential to your health or has it simply become a billion-dollar solution to a problem created by our modern lifestyle?
To answer that, let’s take a closer look at how fiber became a commercial success and what science says about how the human body truly works.
A Brief History: How Fiber Became a Supplement Industry Staple
In 1934, the pharmaceutical company G. D. Searle introduced Metamucil, a psyllium husk powder marketed as a remedy for constipation. At first, it was treated like any other laxative. But by the 1970s, it underwent a rebrand from an occasional remedy to a daily health necessity.
By the time Procter & Gamble acquired Metamucil in 1985, it had become a household name and a staple in medicine cabinets. What started as a fiber-based laxative had evolved into a highly profitable, mass-market product. The global fiber supplement market is now worth over $10 billion annually, and it’s projected to double by 2030.
But while profits soared, public understanding of fiber’s role in digestion remained limited and often misleading.
How the Human Body Was Designed to Eliminate Waste
The digestive system is incredibly efficient. It doesn’t rely on fiber to function properly. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Digestion starts in the mouth, then continues in the stomach and small intestine, where most nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed.
The leftover waste moves into the colon (large intestine), where water is reabsorbed.
Finally, the body eliminates what it doesn’t need through peristalsis natural muscle contractions that move waste along.
There’s no evolutionary evidence that humans need indigestible plant fiber to have a bowel movement. In fact, ancestral diets rich in animal fats and proteins were often low in fiber and yet did not result in chronic constipation.
Dr. Paul Mason, a sports and low-carb medicine specialist from Australia, explains:
“When people remove fiber, their constipation often improves not worsens. Fiber can actually create mechanical irritation in the gut, causing inflammation and bloating, particularly in those with IBS.”
The Hidden Downside: Fiber Can Block Nutrient Absorption
Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the gut. While it slows digestion (which can be beneficial in some cases), it can also reduce the absorption of essential nutrients. This effect has been documented in several peer-reviewed studies:
A 1994 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high-fiber diets significantly reduced the absorption of iron, zinc, and calcium especially in women and children.
A review published in Gastroenterology Clinics of North America noted that certain fibers can bind to bile acids and fats, disrupting nutrient digestion and contributing to malabsorption in vulnerable individuals.
Even worse, insoluble fibers like bran can cause bloating, gas, and irritation in sensitive people. This isn’t “detox” it’s discomfort.
Dr. Ken Berry, author of Lies My Doctor Told Me, puts it this way:
“Fiber is not essential. There is zero requirement for fiber in the human diet, and for many people, it does more harm than good.”
So Why Are We Still Told to Eat More Fiber?
The answer isn’t found in biology it’s found in marketing.
As chronic digestive issues rose with the consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugar, and seed oils, fiber supplements were positioned as the fix. But instead of removing the root causes of poor gut health, we were told to just “add more fiber.”
For the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, this message was profitable. By repackaging fiber as a daily wellness tool, they created a recurring need one that didn’t necessarily improve long-term gut function.
And as more doctors echoed the message, it became accepted without question.
Do You Actually Need Fiber? It Depends on What You're Eating
If your diet is built around real, whole foods especially animal-based or low-carb meals your body likely doesn’t need supplemental fiber. Many people following keto, carnivore, or high-protein low-carb diets report better digestion with less or no fiber at all.
In my own coaching practice, I’ve seen this over and over:
When people remove grains, processed carbs, and fiber-heavy fillers, their bloating and irregularity disappear. Once the gut is calm, digestion becomes natural again.
It’s not about forcing your body with bulk it’s about removing what’s irritating it in the first place.
A Final Note from a Wellness Coach
If you're struggling with digestion, don't reach for a fiber powder right away. First, take a step back and ask:
What am I eating that could be inflaming my gut?
Am I giving my body time to rest, digest, and reset?
Am I masking a deeper issue with a quick fix?
You don’t need more products. You need more awareness.
The body is wise. It was designed to thrive without needing artificial support to do something as natural as elimination. When you simplify your food and support your metabolism, digestion often improves without the bulk.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re exploring a low-carb lifestyle to heal your gut, reduce inflammation, or improve nutrient absorption, stay tuned to Mind-Body Synergy for honest insights and evidence-based tools. No gimmicks. Just real food, real science, and real results.
This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.
In crafting this blog post, I aimed to encapsulate the essence of research findings while presenting the information in a reader-friendly format that promotes critical thinking and informed decision-making.
