Treating The Rocky Bowel For 15 Cents – Big Errors with Fibre
07 Aug 2007
What’s the best way to determine whether a patient’s diet contains sufficient fiber? Luckily, there’s no need to order expensive CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds. A quick rectal examination that finds rock-like stools will provide the answer. And every day in my office I make this diagnosis. What patients don’t realize is they’ve committed a nutritional sin, an omission endangering their health.
Humans don’t learn from history. Dr. Denis Burkitt, a British researcher, showed that African natives who consumed large amounts of fiber did not suffer from constipation, appendicitis or problems of the large bowel, such as diverticulitis (hernias of the colon).
Students of history may remember the story of the battle ship King George V chasing Germany’s battleship, the Bismark. But how many know that constipation was rampant among its sailors? The ship’s surgeon, T.L. Cleave, was also constipated and hated to take laxatives. Faced with this problem Cleave decided to experiment on himself. For several days he consumed raw unprocessed bran. It cured his and his sailors’ constipation.
This isn’t rocket science. In fact, many of the medical ills facing society today fit into this category. The key to a long life free of debilitating disease requires just a few simple measures. Adequate fiber consumption is one of them.
Studies show that North Americans consume only 15 grams of fiber daily. This is a failing grade as it’s less than half of what people should be eating.
So what’s so vital about fiber? Fiber holds water creating large soft stools. This means fewer grunts with a bowel movement and less risk of hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome.
Soft stools do not remain long in the colon. Some researchers say this decreases the chance of cancer-causing substances triggering a malignancy of the large bowel. Other studies question this possibility.
But there’s no doubt that fiber is one of the best ways to fight the epidemic of obesity and diabetes that is raging in North America. Control these problems and you decrease the risk of developing other major killers such as heart attack, hypertension, stroke and the complications of surgery.
Fiber’s secret is its filling capacity. For instance, no one with an ounce of sense would put eight teaspoons of sugar in a glass of water and drink it. Yet children and others are drinking cans of cola that contain this amount of sugar. These drinks have little effect on the hunger reflex. On the other hand, an apple contains three grams of fiber. You rarely want a second one as the stomach feels full and the hunger reflex diminishes.
The best time to start increasing your fiber intake is at breakfast. Look for high fiber cereals that contain at least 10 grams of fiber per serving and the least amount of sugar.
Purchase "whole wheat bread" and don’t be fooled by the words "multigrain", "wheat" or "Rye" which contain little fiber. Be sure to eat lentils, black beans, green peas, tomatoes, celery, prunes, pears, broccoli, bananas and roasted almonds all high in fiber content.
Unfortunately, at the end of the day most people fall short of 40 grams of fiber. The only way to make up this dietary deficit is by the use of supplements, and a good source is "Benefibre" available as powder or chewable tablets.
Benefibre contains only inulin, a 100 percent natural vegetable fiber from chicory root. There are no added fillers such as sugar, artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners. And unlike the use of laxatives, your bowel does not become dependent on Benefibre. Wheat, onions, garlic, bananas, leeks. asparagus and artichokes also contain inulin.
Benefibre can be mixed with any type of food such as apple sauce, pudding or yogurt. It’s easy to add to muffins, sauces or soups as it will not affect the taste or consistency. And it does not lose its effect when added to food placed in the refrigerator.
But Benefibre must never be consumed plain. And don’t mix it with carbonated beverages as the carbonation prevents the fiber from dissolving well.
The cost of Benefibre is just 15 cents per serving, an inexpensive way to prevent an unhealthy rocky bowel.
