Fiber and Why it is Good for You

Fiber is important part of a person's daily diet. It helps to lower cholesterol, decrease risk of heart disease, helps relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulosis.

What is Fiber?

Fiber or dietary fiber is part of a plant that makes up part of a plant that your body can't digest. Foods containing fiber are usually good sources of essental nutrients. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water which, therefore, forms a gelatin-like substance in the stool. It seems to bind up fatty foods along with the cholesterol to eliminate it from the body. In addition, soluble fiber prolongs the time the stomach empties, therefore, allowing sugars to be released more slowly. This is particularly helpful in controlling diabetes.

Foods that are especially high in soluble fiber are oat bran (the highest of any grain), oatmeal, apple pulp, strawberries, blackberries, pears, raisins, bananas, any citrus fruits, dried beans, legumes, lentils, peas, rice bran and barley.

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. It helps to add bulk to the stool which causes it to pass through the colon easier and regularly. Fiber allows the wall of the intestines to expand which eases the passage of waste. Also, as the waste moves through, harmful toxins are excreted.

Foods that are particularly high in insoluble fiber are whole wheat breads and cereals (All-Bran and General Mills' Fiber One), flaxseed, brown rice, green beans, brussel sprouts, skin of carrots and potatoes, the skin of apples and pears. Also most nuts, such as almonds and seeds contain a high amount.

Why Fiber is Good for You?

Soluble fiber, according to the American Heart Association, can help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. It seems to help lower LDL cholesterol levels by virtually eliminating it in the waste. In addition, insoluble fiber reduces the risk by slowing the progression of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients.

Increased amounts of dietary fiber in the diet can help alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because fiber helps produce large, soft, bulky stools that pass through the bowel more easily, the problem of constipation can be avoided. This, in turn, can eliminate the onset of diarrhea that is associated with IBS, too.

Fiber, which is really roughage or bulk, expand the walls of the colon. It also promotes the wave-like contractions needed in the intestines to allow the passage of waste more easily.

Diverticulitis is caused by prolonged, vigorous contractions of the colon. The increased pressure causes small pockets to form which can become infected. When adding the bulk, or fiber, to your diet can reduce or even stop the formation of pockets.

Remember to always drink plenty of water throughout the day when adding more fiber to your diet. If you don't then constipation problems could arise. Recommended amounts are 8-10 eight ounce glasses per day.

I suffer from IBS and I can tell you, first hand, that changing my diet to include more fiber has made a world of difference for me. The problem of diarrhea has virtually been eliminated. I am able to have regular bowel movements daily which means the pain associated with the IBS is gone.

Share your favorite remedy today.

A Remedy To Remember: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind , and the tree yeilding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:11

Return to the top