Home | Looking for something? Sign In | New here? Sign Up | Log out

Sunday, May 30, 2010

How Fiber Can Ruin Your Health

/ On : 1:25 AM

anu
By Katherine Crawford

Although fiber is essential if you want to maximize health and fitness, many people are getting their fiber the wrong way because of misinformation.

And if you aren't doing things correctly, you could actually decrease your health while increasing fiber intake.

Thus, here are 6 overlooked aspects about fiber and fat loss:

1. You can get a bezoar: A bezoar is a hardened mass of fiber that gets stuck in your stomach. This usually happens when someone realizes they need more fiber in their diet and stocks up on endless fiber supplements.

2. There are two main types: There are two main types if fiber, each with its own unique benefits. Soluble fiber, one type, does a great job at reducing bad cholesterol. For maximum benefits, however, don't focus on one type of fiber, get all of them.

3. Supplemental fiber is not healthy for you: Research has shown that supplemental fiber can actually increase rates of colon cancer. So make sure you do not abuse supplemental fiber. The only time I would recommend taking supplemental fiber is when a doctor recommends it.

4. More is not better: Just like an overdose of vitamins can be lethal, an overdose of fiber can do lots of harm. After all, when you eat fiber bacteria breaks it down in your digestive tract. This process produces lots of gas, among other substances. And if you aren't used to this, it can create major issues.

5. An increase in fiber intake necessitates an increase in water intake: Without water, fiber has a very hard time traveling through your body. Even worse, if you get severely dehydrated while there is a large amount of fiber in your intestine, you could end up with an impaction.

6. Fiber from food will always be better than fiber from supplements: You see, supplemental fiber is processed fiber. And processed fiber is devoid of nutrients the same way that white bread is devoid of nutrients. So for optimal nutrition, get fiber from whole foods.

Increasing fiber intake should be down slowly with adequate intakes of water. And please stay away from supplements unless otherwise indicated by your doctor! - 24553

About the Author:

0 comments:

Post a Comment

ads1 336x280

ads2 336x280