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Re: hard to believe

>OK - here goes. My celiac/type II diabetic husband has a problem. After
>years of having diarhea (did I spell it right?) he is now constipated.
>He has been taking metamucil at bedtime and it did help. But things have
>gotten worse and he is getting very hard to live with. Do any of you
>people have that problem and if so, what do you do about it. I don't
>even know what laxatives are GF and safe for diabetics.

I waited to see if anyone had any input.  But since there hasn't been an
answer, I'll take a stab.

First, let me introduce myself and explain why I'm here.  I'm a lowcarb
dieter who is starting a company to manufacture foods and food-like
products for people on special needs diets.  Naturally my first products
are lowcarb which has led me to the lowcarb-diabetes list--which has led me
here.  I am trying to learn about the dietary needs of people on this list
to see what, if anything, I could develop for you.  (Feel free to email me
your suggestions.)

I realize that metamucil is sold as a "laxative" but, according the the
dictionary definition (the FDA's definition may differ), it is not.  It
does not, in and of itself, loosen the bowels.  Rather it is a fiber
supplement.

While psyllium husks (the source of fiber in metamucil) are a cheap,
readily-available source of soluble fiber, the fiber is not fermentable.
Fermentable fiber is needed to feed the bacteria that colonize out
intestinal tract.  Fecal matter is mostly the by-products of these
bacteria.  The more you have, the easier things pass.  (They provide other
health benefits as well.)   Yes, large increases in consumption of
fermentable fiber can initially cause gas--but when dealing with
constipation, that is usually a help.

If you want to go the fiber route, I suggest you try guar or xanthan gum
(most if not all vegetable gums will work but only these are available
retail--at health food stores).  Beet fiber should work but i don't know if
you can get it retail.

It is also possible that your husband needs a true laxative rather than
just fiber.  Your pharmacist can probably advise you.

Barbara