dietary fiber
PositiveTip for
High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Diets Reduce Prime Fuel in Colon Cells
Posted by Galen Bosley on
High-protein, low-carb diets reduce the production of prime fuel needed for healthy colon cells.
Butyrate is a prime fuel for colon cells. Recent research shows that high protein-low carbohydrate weight loss diets substantially reduce bacterial populations that produce butyrate. In this study, butyrate production in the colon dropped by more than 75% in people on these diets. The end result is that low carb diets can lead to poor colon health and a greater risk of colon cancer.
PositiveTip: Unrefined carbohydrates in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables provide the major nutrients your body needs, aid in weight loss, and promote colon health.
PositiveTip for
Fruit Fiber and Pancreatic Cancer
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Pancreatic cancer risk is lower in those consuming generous amounts of dietary fiber.
People who eat more fiber, especially fiber from fruits, experience significantly lower risk of pancreatic cancer, according to Italian research. Those with the highest total fiber intake had a 40% lower risk than those with the lowest intake. However, grain fibers were not linked to any apparent benefit. The authors suggested several possible mechanisms for these findings, including the possibility that dietary fiber is an indicator of an overall healthier lifestyle.
PositiveTip: Diets rich in dietary fiber, especially from fruits and vegetables, provide many benefits.
PositiveTip for
Not All Dietary Fibers are Equal
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Dietary fiber from whole grains lowers colorectal cancer risk.
A meta-analysis of 25 studies that involved almost 2 million people revealed that fiber from whole grains reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 21% compared with fiber from fruits, vegetables, or legumes. Higher intakes showed greater risk reduction. Dietary fiber shortens stool transit times, increases stool bulk, and probably dilutes gut carcinogens, thereby lowering risk.
PositiveTip: Lower your risk of colorectal cancer by eating whole grains every day.
PositiveTip for
Vegetarian Diet and Dietary Fiber Lowers Risk of Diverticular Disease
Posted by Galen Bosley on
Diverticular disease lower in vegetarians with high fiber diets.
A British study of vegetarians and non-vegetarians found that vegetarians have a 31% lower risk of developing diverticular disease and in those consuming greater than 25.5 grams of dietary fiber had 41% less risk compared with those consuming less than 14 grams. Death rates from diverticular disease was 4.4% in meat eaters versus 3% in the vegetarians.
PositiveTip: A plant-based diet lowers the risk of diverticular disease along with many others.
Dietary Fiber Reduces Breast Cancer Risk
Posted by Elvin Adams on
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Its mortality rates have been greatly reduced by advances in diagnostic measures, surgery, and chemotherapy. But diet can play a role in preventing breast cancer altogether.
Higher estrogen levels in the blood are a risk factor promoting the development of breast cancer. Women eating a high fiber diet tend to have lower blood estrogen levels, and therefore have a lower risk.
An article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently reviewed the available data on diet and breast cancer. A total of 16,848 cases of breast cancer occurred among the 712,195 participants in the 10 prospective studies on dietary fiber intake and beast cancer.
Dietary Fiber and the Risk of Dying
Posted by Elvin Adams on
Dietary fiber comes in the indigestible parts of plants. These pass through the human digestive system unchanged. Fiber has beneficial effects on our health by reducing the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes.
A new study provides evidence that the overall impact of fiber brings a reduced mortality rate. The less fiber you eat the more likely you are to die.
This fiber analysis was performed on the NIH (National Institutes of Health)-AARP Diet and Health Study that included 388,122 adults over the age of 50. In the 9 years of follow-up, there were 31,456 deaths. People who consumed the most fiber were 22 percent less likely to die than those who ate the least amount of fiber.
PositiveTip for
Does a Name Change Make it Healthy?
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Wonder Bread makes another health pitch for white bread.
Wonder Bread was first promoted 60 years ago as a health food. It is again being promoted by the Hostess Company for its fortified goodness under a new name, Wonder Smartwhite.
This time it's marketed as having the "fiber of 100% whole wheat bread" for those "families who prefer the taste of white bread but want more nutrition." Funny how new names can create the impression of big change!
PositiveTip: No doubt this is a small improvement over the original Wonder Bread, but it still doesn't have the wholesome goodness of 100% whole wheat bread.