Research behind Florasophy

Research behind Florasophy fiber supplements

Florasophy® soluble fiber blends are clinician-developed to improve health outcomes by supporting optimal digestion, elimination, metabolism, blood sugar management, detoxification, hormone balance, microbiome health as well as cardiovascular and colon health. Clinically, Florasophy has been effective in reducing symptoms associated with IBS-D, IBS-C, hypercholesterolemia, hormone imbalance, glucose management and weight loss.

Florasophy offers three different formulas with a specific combination of soluble fiber to meet the needs of those suffering from IBS-D (Firm Up™), IBS-C (Loosen Up™) and to address health issues outside of those diagnoses (Daily Fix™). One serving (1 tablespoon) of Florasophy provides 4g of soluble fiber, and individuals can take up to three servings per day, depending on their dietary and health goals.

Dietary fiber has been defined as "remnants of plant cells resistant to hydrolysis (digestion) by the alimentary enzymes of man, whose components are hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, oligosaccharides, pectins, gums and waxes.”[1] In essence, dietary fiber is not broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream but instead moves into the colon. In the colon, dietary fiber has been found to improve the health of the microbiome, protect the colon cells, and enhance the excretion of bile salt-bound compounds. While insoluble fiber provides bulk to stool, soluble fibers bind bile salts and are fermented in the colon, serving as an energy source for microbiota. These soluble fiber resistant starches are prebiotic in nature and have been shown to support and improve the microbiome and their health-promoting byproducts [2]. The improvement in gut health and microbiome health have been shown to positively affect detoxification by increasing bacterial nitrogen metabolism and microbe-microbe and microbe-host cell interactions, leading to enhanced liver and kidney function [3].

Higher rates of dietary fiber intake are linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolemia. There are three primary ways that soluble fiber reduces circulating cholesterol [4]: prevention of cholesterol-containing bile salt reabsorption from the small intestine resulting in increased bile salt excretion [5]; reduced insulin-stimulated hepatic cholesterol synthesis as a result of lowered postprandial glycemic response, and physiological effects of fermentation products of soluble fiber including fermentation by bacteria within the colon, increasing production of short-chain fatty acids resulting in a reduction of circulating cholesterol levels [6]. Higher intakes of fiber are associated with 26% reduced risk of stroke [7].

A high fiber diet has also been shown to reduce estradiol and estrone levels in premenopausal women, which is thought to reduce the risk of breast cancer [8] [9]. Studies show that diets higher in fiber result in increased fecal output and increased fecal excretion of estrogen, which results in lower plasma concentrations of estrogen, alongside reduced b-glucuronidase activity, which results in better estrogen metabolism [10].

While ancestral diets provided an estimated 100g of fiber per day, today the average American consumes only 16.2g of fiber per day [11] [12]. The Institute of Medicine suggests that children consume at least 19g per day, women should consume at least 25g per day, and men should consume at least 38g per day [13]. With the rise in popularity of paleolithic diets, fiber intake may be further reduced for individuals omitting grains and possibly legumes from their diet.

In the U.S., over 90% of women and 97% of men fall short of recommended fiber intakes [14]. That shortfall tracks with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, digestive distress, obesity and some cancers. Soluble fiber provides a variety of benefits for symptom relief and overall health with regards to digestion, detoxification, immune function, blood sugar balance, cardiovascular health, hormone balance, and metabolism [15] [16]. One of the simplest, most powerful levers we have is soluble fiber—its effects translate into real health improvement and higher fiber intake has been shown as recently as 2024 in a meta-analysis to reduce all-cause mortality [17].

How soluble fiber works

  • Viscosity & gels: Viscous soluble fibers (e.g., psyllium, β-glucan, glucomannan, guar/PHGG) form gels that slow gastric emptying and carbohydrate absorption, improving post-prandial glycemia and insulin demand. Higher viscosity generally = stronger glycemic impact [18].
  • Bile acid binding & lipids: These gels trap bile acids and associated endotoxins and exotoxins, as well as cholesterol in the gut, increasing fecal loss and up-regulating hepatic LDL receptors—an established path to lower LDL-C while reducing the body’s toxic burden [19].
  • icrobiome & SCFAs: Fermentable fibers are metabolized by gut microbes into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate, propionate, and butyrate that support barrier integrity, immune tone, and metabolic signaling [20].

Clinical payoffs we can count on

  • LDL-cholesterol: Meta-analyses of RCTs show meaningful LDL reductions with soluble fiber, with dose-response trends (≈5–10 mg/dL LDL drop per ~5 g/day added soluble fiber) [21].
  • Glycemic control: Viscous fibers improve fasting and post-prandial glucose and can support A1c reductions in appropriate contexts [22].
  • Bowel function & IBS symptoms: Several soluble fibers normalize stool form and improve constipation or diarrhea-predominant symptoms in select populations [23,24].
  • Reduced risk of cancer: Several meta-analysis have concluded that increased fiber consumption are associated with reduced risk and better health outcomes after diagnosis for cancers including breast [25,26], colorectal [27.28], gastric [29], lung [30], pancreatic [31], endometrial [32], ovarian [33].
  • Reducing toxic burden: Of particular concern and interest are “forever chemicals” such as PFAS which observational studies have shown to be reduced by specific soluble fibers [34].

Florasophy ingredients

Each formula contains at least four of the following five ingredients: organic acacia fiber, organic chia seed powder, konjac root, organic partially hydrolyzed guar gum (trademarked as Sunfiber®), and organic psyllium husk powder.

Chia (Salvia hispanica; “Salba-chia”)

A seed rich in gel-forming mucilage (soluble fiber) plus ALA and polyphenols.

Key outcomes:

  • In people with type 2 diabetes on standard care, long-term chia supplementation improved systolic blood pressure and inflammation markers (hs-CRP, vWF) while maintaining glycemic and lipid control in an RCT [35].
  • Salba-chia vs oat-bran control (n=77). Greater weight loss (−1.9 kg vs −0.3 kg), larger waist reduction (−3.5 cm vs −1.1 cm), lower CRP (−39%). Maintained glycemic control [36].
  • Compared flax vs Salba-chia in healthy adults; chia improved post-prandial glycemia and satiety signals compared with control exposures [37].
  • Randomized controlled, acute feeding adding ground chia to yogurt increased satiety and reduced short-term energy intake in healthy adults [38].

Florasophy fiber supplement ingredient, chia seeds

Acacia (Gum Arabic; Acacia senegal/seyal)

A gentle, highly soluble, fermentable fiber often well-tolerated at modest doses.

Key outcomes:

  • A double-blind RCT in healthy women found significant reductions in BMI and body fat with gum arabic vs. placebo over 6 weeks (30 g/day) [39].
  • A human study demonstrated prebiotic effects—increasing Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli at ~10 g/day [40].
  • Randomized controlled trial in T2D- 20 g/day GA for 12 weeks lowered visceral adiposity index and blood pressure vs placebo [41].
  • Randomized, parallel study in rheumatoid arthritis- Gum arabic decreased inflammatory markers and improved immune modulation as an adjuvant [42].
  • Randomized clinical trial in CKD- GA supplementation reduced C-reactive protein and improved uremic milieu/oxidative stress markers [43].

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG)

A low-viscosity,gel forming, soluble prebiotic fiber, trademarked as SunfiberⓇ, that mixes clear—useful in sensitive guts.

Key outcomes:

  • Reduced bloating and gas at ~6 g/day over 12 weeks vs. placebo [44].
  • Improved stool form/frequency in people with diarrhea-tendency (IBS-D-like) and reduced laxative use in long-term care residents [44].
  • Microbiome benefits including increased lactobacillus, bifidobacteria and SCFA have been observed [45].
  • PHGG + low-FODMAP diet led to multi-omic shifts (microbiome/metabolome), boosting short chain fatty acids and reducing hunger ratings vs control [46].
  • Shown to be as effective as lactulose in treating children with chronic constipation without the negative side effects of lactulose [47].
  • PHGG is also useful in supporting cardiovascular health. In four studies, an average of 15g of PHGG reduced LDL cholesterol by over 10 mg/dL [48].

Glucomannan (Konjac)

A highly viscous, water-absorbing soluble fiber from konjac root; forms a thick gel.

Key outcomes:

  • Significantly reduce body weight, blood lipid levels, and average blood sugar after a 28-day dose of 3.6g per day [49].
  • Glucomannan slows digestion and gastric emptying, which in turn, slows the absorption of glucose and subsequent insulin production, resulting in reduced fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels [49].
  • 3g per day of konjac glucomannan was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by 10% and HDL cholesterol by 7% [50].
  • Konjac has been shown to improve detoxification through the intestinal tract as well as provide a protective layer around the bowel wall [51].
  • Konjac has been found to positively affect acne vulgaris in tandem with probiotics by reducing the acne-stimulating bacterium, Propionibacterium [52].
  • Supports improved regularity in those with constipation [53].

Psyllium (Plantago ovata husk)

A gel-forming, non-fermented (minimally fermented) soluble fiber with strong viscosity.

Florasophy fiber supplement ingredient, psyllium husk

Key outcomes:

  • Psyllium husk provides a laxative effect at 8.8g fiber per day due to a portion of the fiber not being fermented in the colon and instead providing increased viscosity to the stool [54].
  • 1 tablespoon BID was given to 23 children experiencing chronic idiopathic diarrhea resulting in improvement for 87% of participants after 14 days [55].
  • A 2014 meta-analysis confirmed that soluble fiber, specifically psyllium, is effective in improving symptoms of both chronic diarrhea and constipation, often diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome [56]. Continued research in 2019 found psyllium not only effective in relieving constipation, but also found significant improvements to the microbiota [57].
  • Slows gastric emptying, reducing postprandial glucose levels, and improves insulin response, leading to weight loss and improvements in hypertension [58].
  • There are also cardiovascular benefits with an average of 6g per day of psyllium husk reducing LDL cholesterol by 5.5 mg/dL [59]. A meta-analysis of 28 trials (~10 g/day for ~8 weeks) reported LDL reductions of ~0.33 mmol/L (~13 mg/dL) and favorable apoB changes [60].
  • Reduces fasting glucose, A1c, and insulin resistance markers [61].
  • Reduces systolic blood pressure [62].


Footnotes

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  2. Slavin J. 2013. Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417–1435.

  3. Kieffer DA, Martin RJ, Adams SH. 2016. Impact of Dietary Fibers on Nutrient Management and Detoxification Organs: Gut, Liver, and Kidneys. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 7(6), 1111–1121.

  4. Gunness P, Gidley MJ. Mechanisms underlying the cholesterol-lowering properties of soluble dietary fibre polysaccharides. Food Funct. 2010 Nov;1(2):149-55. doi: 10.1039/c0fo00080a. Epub 2010 Sep 30. PMID: 21776465.

  5. Slavin J. 2013. Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients, 5(4), 1417–1435.

  6. Cowen AE, Campbell CB. Bile salt metabolism. I. The physiology of bile salts. Aust N Z J Med. 1977 Dec;7(6):579-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1977.tb02312.x. PMID: 274936.

  7. Anderson JW, Baird P, Davis RH Jr, Ferreri S, Knudtson M, Koraym A, Waters V, Williams CL. Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutr Rev. 2009 Apr;67(4):188-205. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00189.x. PMID: 19335713.

  8. Goldin BR, Woods MN, Spiegelman DL, Longcope C, Morrill-LaBrode A, Dwyer JT, Gualtieri LJ, Hertzmark E, Gorbach SL. The effect of dietary fat and fiber on serum estrogen concentrations in premenopausal women under controlled dietary conditions. Cancer. 1994 Aug 1;74(3 Suppl):1125-31. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19940801)74:3+<1125::aid-cncr2820741521>3.0.co;2-5. PMID: 8039147.

  9. Rose DP, Goldman M, Connolly JM, Strong LE. High-fiber diet reduces serum estrogen concentrations in premenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Sep;54(3):520-5. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/54.3.520. PMID: 1652197.

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