Weekly
Healthy Advice From VÄXA
We Are What We Eat:
A Look at Fiber
The best way to improve
our health is to start making healthy nutritional choices.
Since obesity in America is not slowing down, and as American
waistlines continue to expand, it might be helpful to discuss
the benefits of a high fiber diet. Fiber has been well documented
to maintain bowel function, reduce weight, improve insulin
sensitivity, cardiovascular health, and play a role in the
prevention of type II diabetes. Currently, less than a quarter
of Americans eat the recommended amounts of fiber. Fiber intake
should be approximately 50 grams daily, if that amount can
be tolerated (a minimum of 20-35 grams per day is recommended)
and an external supplement may be required. High fiber foods
include fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, breads, nuts
and seeds.
Focus on Fiber: The Science Behind Why You Should
Eat Your Fruits And Vegetables
How many times have you been told to eat your fruits and vegetables?
Or that you need to eat healthier? The message is preached
on a pretty consistent basis now that insurance companies
are tracking the decline of American health and pharmaceuticals
are coming up with a quick fix to every ache, pain and inconvenience.
There is a way to help reduce the incidence of such major
health concerns as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels,
heart attacks, diabetes and obesity. These ailments can be
avoided all together without dependence on expensive and possibly
dangerous medications and procedures, unfortunately, many
of us are either unaware of the possibilities or unwilling
to pursue them.
The advice to incorporate a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables
has been handed down from generation to generation. The produce
section in your local supermarket provides you with the perfect
gateway to all the nutrients your body needs such as phytochemicals,
vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It is important
to train ourselves to eat small portions of fiber throughout
the day and include fruits and vegetables. Grains and beans
are not our sources of obtain fiber. Researchers have decided
that the convenient way for us to get enough daily fiber is
to genetically modify wheat in an effort to increase the amount
and type (amylase) of fiber in bread. The inclusion of fruits
and vegetables in your diet is a much simpler way of ensuring
that your body is obtaining all of its requirements for fiber.
Adding fiber to your diet can and should be done for the following
reasons:
- Fiber carries fat out of the body.
- Fiber absorbs water and makes your
stool softer (important to prevent constipation, hemorrhoids,
diverticulosis, etc.)
- Eating fiber makes you feel fuller,
longer.
- Studies have shown increasing your
fiber intake decreases your calorie intake.
- Fiber helps to fast track your digested
food out of the body (reducing the incidence of sickness
and colon cancer)
- Fiber helps to increase the amount
of good bacteria in the gut.
- Fiber will help you to lose weight.
In addition to adding raw fruits and
vegetables to your diet you can add Digestin,
Colon-Aid and ReFlora
Probiotic to your daily regime. Start training for the
big event today, the big event of maintaining good health!
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