MORE INFORMATION ON FIBER

James W. Anderson, M.D. is a professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Acording to a study done by him, it is reported that some patients with high cholesterol may be able to lower or eliminate drug treatment by adding fiber to a healthy diet. He indicated that Supplementing with fiber like Psyllium may reduce harmful cholesterol by as much as 5 percent and the risk of heart attack by about 10 to 15%. According to Dr. Anderson.It appears that Psyllium lowers cholesterol by taking bile acids out of the body instead of being converted into cholesterol. There are foods like soy and oat bran that can reduce cholesterol. There are fiber supplements available as well. With that in mind, the risk for heart attack might be reduced by 10-15% generally if Serum Cholesterol levels fell below a reading of 200 and LDL-cholesterol levels below 130. It might also reduce the risk for liver or muscle problems from the associated use of some types of drug therapy. With the increased costs of medical care and loss of life, it would seem a smart thing to increase fiber. According to recent reports, many individuals could do very nicely and save money with regular use of the right kind of fiber supplement.

We eat far too little fiber. Official agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Cancer Society, all agree that our daily intake of fiber should range from 25 to 35 grams per day for adults. Yet, most of us eat less than 10 grams.

Fiber comes in two forms: soluble, which is found in many fruits and beans, and insoluble which is found in the hulls of grains, seeds, skins of fruits and vegetables. Some foods like oats and psyllium contain both types. It is easy to see why most of us do not obtain enough fiber from our diets, which are usually low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

One valuable effect of fiber is mechanical: adequate intake decreases the transit time of food traveling through our digestive tract. Fiber absorbs water, so stools are naturally larger, softer, and easier to be moved through. Faster transit time means less contact time for toxins and a reduced risk of colon problems. Stool does not collect in out-of-the-way areas of the bowel, so there is less chance of infection developing. And, with less straining required to pass a softer stool, the probability of developing hemorrhoids is usually reduced.

At the same time, soluble fiber delays stomach emptying. This in turn delays and spreads out the absorption of sugar, resulting in a more normal pattern of insulin secretion as well as better control of blood sugar. Fiber also binds cholesterol and bile in the digestive tract, preventing their reabsorption and re-circulation. If less cholesterol is absorbed, its level in the blood goes down. The liver makes bile from cholesterol and if more bile is lost in the gut, the liver will use up cholesterol to replace the bile, again resulting in lower cholesterol levels.

Fiber also binds and reduces the absorption of dietary fat, which can help with weight control. Decreased fat absorption also means decreased absorption of fat soluble toxins and this may help to explain a decreased risk of breast and prostate cancer with higher fiber intake noted by some researchers. Fiber stimulates the secretion of the hormone cholecystokinin, which alerts the brain that we've had enough to eat. High fiber meals also tend to be bulkier and contain fewer calories.

A diet high in fiber promotes the production of short chain fatty acids, which in turn results in a more acidic colon and a healthy population of "friendly" bacteria. This facilitates detoxification and bolsters our natural defenses against parasites and fungi.

Through its beneficial effects on weight, cholesterol and glucose metabolism, higher fiber intake is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. If you are not already consuming 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day, take the necessary steps now to do so. This is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to make a dramatic impact on your overall health!

Fiber is generally associated with protecting against colon cancer, with the suggestion that increasing fiber intake about an additional 13 grams per day could reduce over 30% of colorectal cancer in the U.S. Some, but not all, published evidence suggests a possible reduction in the risk of breast cancer when adequate amounts of fiber are included in the diet. Researchers are evaluating fiber's role relative to cancers at other sites, including the male prostate. Dietary fiber may play several roles relative to diabetes, including potential effects on satiety, obesity and the absorption of certain sugars.

Fiber could play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease owing to its effect on blood cholesterol levels, especially where initial levels are high. Some studies have found an inverse relationship between fiber and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Low-fiber diets may be associated with development of diverticular diseases in the colon. More on Colon Health - http://www.theolivebranch.com/news/colon.htm

If you are not getting enough fiber in your diet, we suggest you consider trying the Life Plus product COLON FORMULA. It is an excellent product intended to cleanse the intestinal tract and provide beneficial microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus) to your digestive system.

Colon Formula - http://www.theolivebranch.com/colon.htm

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