Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Fiber And Digestive Health

By Michael Stagger

Increasing Your Knowledge Of Fiber And Digestive Health May Help To Ward Off Diseases

By educating yourself about fiber and digestive health, you will realize how important fiber is to maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

A diet that is rich in fiber is usually low in sugar, fat and calories.

Fibers are non-digestible carbohydrates, and can be described as any food that is classified as a plant.

If you are not used to eating fiber and plan on adding fiber to your diet, take it slow.

Adding too much fiber in a short span may lead to common side effects like bloating and flatulence.

There are two types of fiber that you should become aware of, soluble and insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber which can be found in strawberries, blueberries, apples, nuts and oatmeal, forms a gel in your intestines when it passes through your intestinal tract.

Soluble fiber then proceeds to absorb water and slow down digestion.

This reduces the amount of time stools stay in your intestinal tract and allows for an easier exit, reducing pressure in your colon.

Insoluble fiber speeds up digestion as it passes through the colon unchanged and adds bulk to your stool.

Fiber is broken down in the colon by a process called fermentation, and the acids that are produced by this break down help to nourish the lining of the colon.

Insoluble fiber can be found in the skins of fruits and vegetables, grains and seeds.

Your goal is to consume both types of fiber to maintain good digestive health.

When you are ready to increase your fiber intake, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

A lack of water may lead to a bout with constipation.

A report on "Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and The Prevention Of Cancer: A Global Perspective", done by the 2007 World Cancer Research Fund And American Institute For Cancer Research concluded that fiber intake of at least two grams on daily basis reduces the risk of acquiring cancer.

Fiber increases the transit rate of materials through your colon and decreases the chance of potential harmful effects from chemicals, food additives and drugs.

Fiber also helps to remove toxins that are released during digestion.

By increasing your fiber intake, you lower the risk of acquiring diseases that range from, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, diverticular disease, gallstones and kidney stones.

Taking the time to go over weight charts will allow you to determine how much fiber consumption is recommended for the average adult.

Good sources of fiber can be found by utilizing the internet, and doing your own research.

Natural Digestive Health is a website created to educate the public on the different options available to maintain a healthy digestive system. If you want to learn more about maintaining a healthy digestive system, please visit http://natural-digestive-health.com/fiber and digestive health.

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