RARE DIETARY FIBRE HELPS AUSSIES IMPROVE THEIR GUT HEALTH

If you’ve ever stood in front of a shelf of fibre supplements wondering which one won’t turn your gut into a festival of hot air, sterculia might be the hero you’ve been waiting for.

This natural fibre, sourced from the Sterculia urens tree, swells into a soft gel when mixed with water.

It bulks and softens stool without fermenting in the gut, which means no gas, no bloat and absolutely no

surprise sound effects. It simply does its job and moves on with dignity.

Why Australia Has Been Waiting

Sterculia disappeared from the Australian market years ago, leaving doctors and their patients scrambling.

For Dr Simone Peters, one of Australia’s leading gut health researchers, the absence became a real problem.

With up to 40 percent of Australians living with regular gut discomfort, she knew sterculia was the one fibre that actually brought relief without collateral damage.

A Patient Who Wouldn’t Take No

The turning point came when her patient, Rudi van der Vlies, arrived exhausted and out of options.

Living with Crohn’s disease, he’d tried every fibre around with no success.

“I told him the only fibre that would truly help isn’t available in Australia anymore,” Dr Peters said. “Rudi looked at me and said, ‘Then what do I have to do to bring it back? Because this could change lives.’”

And that was that. Rudi’s determination and Dr Peters’ science teamed up to create TUMME, a gut-health company dedicated to bringing sterculia back.

“Rudi’s determination gave this project the push it needed,” said Dr Peters. “We’ve brought back a trusted fibre that has been deeply missed by both patients and clinicians.”

A Life Finally Back in Balance

One of the people benefiting is Simon, a 45-year-old Melbourne professional and bowel cancer survivor who had been dealing with chronic diarrhoea, bloating, wind and broken sleep for years.

Psyllium helped his stool form but left him painfully gassy. Kiwi fruit extract did nothing. His colonoscopy was clear, but his days were not.

After starting TUMME Natural Fibre under clinical guidance, Simon finally noticed stability and comfort without the bloating.

“TUMME has been the first fibre that’s worked for me” Simon said. “I can finally manage my symptoms and get through the day without constant worry and discomfort.”

What Makes Sterculia Different

Sterculia works because it doesn’t ferment in the gut.

Many fibres feed gut bacteria which sounds nice in theory, but in reality often means bloating, discomfort and a soundtrack no one asked for. Sterculia sidesteps that entirely. It passes through largely unchanged, offering gentle consistency without the drama.

TUMME’s capsules contain pure sterculia with no additives, flavours or gimmicks.

As Dr Peters puts it: “There has been a clear gap in the market for a fibre that genuinely helps people manage gut symptoms. Sterculia fills that gap and finally gives Australians an evidence-based and well-tolerated solution.”

Where to Find It

The official return happens mid-April 2025, when TUMME Natural Fibre launches on tumme.com.au and Amazon.

It may not be the glamour item of your bathroom cabinet, but if it brings peace where there’s usually chaos, that’s a lifestyle win worth celebrating. With something bubbly. Just not in that way..