7 Ways Fiber Assists Digestion

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Fiber experts say 30-50 grams of fiber per day is best. This helps the movement of food and other components in the intestinal system, commonly called the peristalsis action. This allows food taken in to be digested, broken down and pushed along the alimentary canal to be exited out.

That is the way it is supposed to happen. For many individuals that may not happen. Naturopaths believe that 90% of disease starts in the colon, where for some individuals constipation is a daily problem. Digestive and gastro-intestinal issues are the number one cause of doctor visits. Symptoms can be heartburn, stomach discomfort, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, bloating, burping and constipation.

Here are 7 ways fiber assists digestion and all health:

  1. To increase fiber, eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains to prevent any waste elimination problems. Start adding fiber slowly, gradually adding in more, till you feel it is working for your digestion system. (Do not add too fast)
  2. If you are a nonsmoker but grew up with a smoking parent, eating more fiber may help you avoid the respiratory problems that often accompany childhood exposure to secondhand smoke.
  3. There are 2 kinds of fiber, soluble fiber, which includes grains, seeds and beans, and insoluble fiber which are green veggies and fruits. You need a blend of both kinds for the best results.
  4. Fiber makes your stomach release food more slowly and helps the digestive tract to release the nutrients into your system gradually. Fiber foods have the chemicals to dampen inflammation and reduce the damage of free radicals; this is very important for people with Diabetes. It helps keep the blood sugar levels low!
  5. Researchers concluded that people that eat the most whole grains, the best fiber sources, were 30% less likely to develop cancer than those who consume less.
  6. Fiber rich foods are high in anti-oxidants; they inhibit cell damage and help supply Nitric Oxide (NO) to your cardiovascular system. Increasing NO could be the secret to eliminating heart disease! This includes blood pressure, arterial clots, atherosclerosis and all other heart problems!
  7. It has been found that fiber locks onto estrogen molecules and blocks them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. So it lowers circulating estrogen, and other hormones in the body lessening the danger of both Breast and Prostate cancer!Fiber rich foods can help the whole body, not just assisting digestion.
  8. Remember fiber and water go hand in hand for efficient bowel function. If it does not get enough water then all that fiber bulk can back up, turning again to constipation!
  9. In case you have not heard this before, “the digestive system is the secondary immune system”! When digestion is working properly it can keep you healthy.

 

References:

The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods by James Duke

The Healing Kitchen by Stephen Sinatra

www.naturalnews.com

www.fiberfoods.com

 

 

Cindy Burrows
Cynthia Burrows, M.T. CWC, Herbalist

Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.

Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.

Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.

Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.

She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.

Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.