After drastically increasing my fiber intake for nearly a month at the suggestion of family members via breads, fruits, vegetables, and juices, I ran into constipation so severe that I was unable to have a bowel movement for two weeks because of impacted stool. As it got worse, I began consuming even more fiber at the recommendation of my doctors. No amount of laxatives or suppositories could initiate a bowel movement, and my abdomen was becoming so bloated that I could not even move at all for several days without excruciating pain.
This led me to do some research about just how healthy fiber really is. After having the stool de-impacted by the doctor, I returned to my previous diet which consists mainly of white rice, meat, and vegetables (I am lactose intolerant and take vitamin supplements) and the stool is coming out so easily I barely even notice it. But this low-fiber diet is causing my family members grief as they think I am going to drop dead unless I return to eating copious amounts of fiber.
I ran across this book while doing some research: Fiber Menace by Konstantin Monastyrsky and was surprised. Every suggestion he had in his book and on his website were contrary to what the doctors and people in general were telling me constantly - eat more and more fiber, more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and juices, and consume huge amounts of water, otherwise you are going to die.
I guess it's obvious from my little near-death experience now that having too much fiber is bad, but does anyone have any clue as to the scientific validity of Mr. Monastyrsky's book and website? After searching the web for hours I could not find even a single piece of information that even attempted to criticize or argue against his claims other than one three-star customer review on Amazon.com.
Although I remain skeptical of his extreme "absolutely no fiber diet", following his suggestions and reducing fiber intake to only a few spoonfuls of vegetables per meal have definitely returned my bowel movements, health, and happiness back to normal. I want to find out if there's any truth to his claims or if it's just pseudoscience, especially since it seems to contradict general ideas about fiber and doctor recommendations.