Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Importance of Adequate Fiber Intake

The Importance of Adequate Fiber Intake
The importance of adequate intake of fiber to the improvement of health is demonstrated by some of the physiologic effects exerted by its various components. Particularly noteworthy are the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of soluble fiber. Slowing the absorption rate of carbohydrate can be very helpful to the diabetic in regulating blood glucose levels and lowering serum cholesterol levels presently appears to have significant benefit in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Wheat 
Adequate fiber intake has been implicated in control of various gastrointestinal disorders, including diverticular disease, gallstones, irritable-bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and constipation. It was suggested that fiber, especially wheat bran, is effective in the treatment of constipation; but evidence for the effectiveness of fiber in control of the other diseases seems equivocal. Nevertheless, populations with high fiber intakes have a lower incidence of these gastrointestinal disorders.

A generous fiber intake appears to be beneficial to some individual in their efforts at weight control. The bulk provided by fiber may have some satiety value, so that high fiber foods possibly reduce the hunger pangs associated with caloric restriction while simultaneously somewhat reducing nutrient utilization. The anti-toxic effect of fiber is a physiologic role often overlooked. Results of studies on experimental animals, particularly growing rats, have shows the protective effects of selected fiber supplements against a variety of toxic agents.
The Importance of Adequate Fiber Intake

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