Your digestive system is where it all begins. You won’t produce energy, have a balanced mood, or fight illness if you can’t digest, break down, and absorb nutrients.
Here is our Second Brain!
• Nearly 100 trillion bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms compose your gut microbiome, and advancing science has made it clear that these organisms play a major role in your mental and physical health.
• The human gut has 200 million neurons and produces 95 percent of your body’s serotonin, a brain chemical associated with emotional well-being.
• Your immune system is educated based on the information received from your gut bacteria.
• Exposure to a wide variety of bacteria helps your immune system stay alert and optimizes its function.
There are many simple things you can do to keep your digestive system healthy, such as following a clean diet with Probiotic, Enzymes, Therapeutic Herbs and obviously Fibers. Today, we’ll focus on fiber!
What exactly is fiber?
Fiber is the element in plants (like fruits, vegetables and whole grains) that our bodies do not digest. Fiber is different from most foods that we eat in that, unlike most foods which are absorbed and digested, fiber is not absorbed or digested. It actually passes quickly through your digestive tract, mostly intact, and it is not broken down like other foods. The fact that fiber is mostly left intact is a good thing as it creates bulk which aids in moving stool and harmful carcinogens through the digestive tract.
There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Soluble fiber dissolves with water and creates a gel-like substance that helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.” Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, “absorbs water which adds bulk to your digestive tract and helps to move things through quickly.”
Public health guidelines from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise Americans to eat between 20 and 30 grams of fiber a day, but most adults don’t even eat half that much.
Why fiber is so important ?
Because fiber helps to move stool through your digestive tract and colon, it actually helps to prevent colon cancer as it keeps your colon clean and healthy. Other health benefits of fiber include reducing the incidence of heart disease, lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels and inflammation, and even weight loss. Fiber can help with weight loss because it creates a fullness within your intestines that helps you to eat less.
Health Benefits of Fiber
Blood sugar control, Heart health, Stroke, Weight loss and management, Skin health, Diverticulitis, Hemorrhoids, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Gallstones and kidney stones.
What Are the Healthiest Sources of Fiber?
If your diet could use more fiber, resist the urge to fortify it with whole grains. Whole grains are not the best source of fiber, as they contain anti-nutrients and glutinous, “binding” proteins.
Instead, focus on eating more vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The following whole foods, for example, contain high levels of soluble and insoluble fiber: Berries, Vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, Root vegetables and tubers, including onions and sweet potatoes, Almonds, Psyllium seed husk, flax, and chia seeds, Green beans, Cauliflower, Beans and Peas
You do not need to eliminate other foods in order to have a fiber-rich diet, just learn how to incorporate fiber-rich food into your daily life! It is really that simple. You can also use a rich fiber-rich supplement such as Psyllium Husk. It provides almost 10 gr of soluble fiber per serving ! When you think of all the health benefits, plus the added bonus that you may lose weight, why wouldn’t you incorporate these foods into your diet?
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you’re concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
References: articles.mercola.com, doctoroz.com, globalhealingcenter.com