Has constipation or irregularity become a constant pain in your life? If so, you’re not alone. Everyday stress and diets lacking in fiber from fresh fruits, vegetables and grains often cause our natural elimination processes to stop or slow down. If you’re lucky enough to not have experienced this type of digestive discomfort, take note of these important facts on fiber that will keep you well for many years to come.
Think of fiber as a kind of “broom” that helps sweep out your intestines. The addition of healthy fiber can remedy your irregularity problems, relieve pain and even prevent you from becoming ill or overweight.
The Fiber “Broom”
Fiber is absolutely essential for “cleaning up” your digestive system and restoring balance to your daily eliminations. Although fiber doesn’t break down in your body, it plays a major role in your digestion.
Fiber is the part of carbohydrates that cannot be digested by your body. So, when you eat whole fruits, vegetables and grains, the fiber particles (this is the bran in grains, the pulp of fruits and the cell wall of your vegetables) remain intact and push their way down your intestinal tract, “sweeping” your digested food waste and toxic substances along with them. Without adequate amounts of fiber in your diet, you are more likely to absorb toxins. Studies show that most Americans (not you, of course) following a standard diet of processed and dried foods, like cereal and bread, are getting less than half of their necessary daily intake of fiber. Medical expert, Dr. Leonard Smith recommends 40 grams of fiber per day for healthy adults, and says that typical diets only offer about 14 grams of fiber each day.
Animal products like meat, dairy and eggs do not contain edible fiber, so popular high-protein diets are drastically lacking in this essential nutrient.
Fiber is Beneficial in Helping to Prevent and Possibly Cure:
- Appendicitis
- Colon Cancer
- Diverticulosis
- Constipation
- Hemorrhoids
- Obesity
Fiber is also a source of pentose, an anticancer agent.
The “take away” – Eat your veggies and Eat your fiber! 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Your fitness and fat loss guy,
Jay Altman