So here it is:
Fiber: Our Body's Best Friend
From Peace Arch News - February 1, l997 - Eve Lees
One of the most widespread deficiencies in our diet is dietary fiber. High fiber diets can lower the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. The recommended intake of fiber is between 25 and 35 grams daily, for children and adults.
Foods high in fiber satisfy hunger because they hold a great deal of water. They are also low in fat and simple sugars, (and so) can prevent obesity.
There are two kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Plants contain a mixture of both. Insoluble fiber is found in fruits and vegetables and doesn't break down during digestion. We call this roughage, rich in foods like whole grains. Fiber isn't absorbed into the blood stream, so it contributes few, if any, calories to the body.
Water soluble fiber is found in the natural gel-forming fibers like pectins and gums. This fiber forms a gel, adding a sticky fluid to the food in the intestines. Soluble fibers bind water and swell, which slows the passage of food from the mouth and stomach and helps to produce a feeling of satiety.
Researchers have found a low incidence of many diseases among people with high fiber diets. Soluble fiber binds with serum cholesterol and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Studies show adding a mere 3 and 1/2 ounces of fiber daily to your diet can reduce cholesterol by an average of 13 percent in only 10 days.
For diabetics, the binding action of fiber helps slow the entry of glucose into the bloodstream. By improving glucose tolerance, high fiber diets can lower insulin needs in diabetics. Dietary fiber has also been linked to reduced risk of colon cancer.
Foods richest in fiber include all legumes and whole grains, vegetables and fruit. Whole, fresh foods are best - the more processed or cooked, the less fiber the food contains.
Article written by:
Eve Lees - Fitness Counselor, Health Writer, Speaker and Editor of Personal Health Newsletter. As printed in the Peace Arch News - February 1, l997
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