From The Inside Out Mag.
For Personal Healing, Spiritual Growth & Development

By Hal Decker

Up to 80 percent of all Americans do not eat enough fiber on a daily basis. Health problems related to digestive complaints account for up to 40 percent of all doctor visits. Many alternative doctors today agree that good health begins in the colon but thanks to the SAD (Standard American Diet) that more and more Americans are eating on a daily basis, the amount of fiber that the average American consumes on has steadily declined in the last 50 to 60 years.

The amount of fiber that the American Diabetes Association recommends that Americans should consume daily to eliminate irregularity, help promote good digestion and relieve toxic bowel type syndrome that can spill undigested toxins and poisons back into the blood stream is between 25 and 30 grams of fiber daily. The average American today receives less than half of the optimal amount of dietary fiber (averaging only 10 to 12 grams of fiber daily). Today most nutritional scientists agree that the incidence of many diseases and major health concerns could either be eliminated or partially resolved by eating more fiber. Just a partial list includes:

• Lower incidence of heart disease

• Lower cholesterol

• Reduced rates of cancer

• Fewer cases of diabetes

• Less constipation

• Fewer varicose veins and hemorrhoids

• Less general illness

• Increased energy

• Fewer headaches and vision problems

• Better complexion and better appearance of health

•Less tendency to gain weight and a greater likelihood to lose weight

• And over 200 other illnesses and health concerns.

Health Tip: If you're adding more fiber to your diet for the first time, please do so gradually or else your digestive system may not be used to it and may pass more gas. Try gradually adding a little more daily fiber to your digestive system, and over a two to four week period your body will get use to the extra fiber. Then the flatulence problem should become nonexistent. Note when eating beans that are being cooked at home, it is generally a good idea before cooking them to let them soak overnight in water so as to make them easier to digest and thus less gas producing. Lentils (a great fiber source) aren't as 'gassy', taste good and are easy to prepare and mix in many different recipes.

Note: Many fruits like blackberries, raspberries, dried prunes, and apricots are very high in fiber. Almost all fruits and vegetables have meaningful amounts of fiber and are well worth adding to your diet, not only for the extra variety of taste but also for all the extra nutrients and fiber that they provide.

If more people ate the proper types of fiber, not only would constipation be eliminated but very few people would develop hemorrhoids, which are usually caused when people have to exert added pressure to the anal region in order to force a bowel movement.

The tissues in the anal area are very sensitive, and increased pressure upon them during evacuation often will resort in torn and bloody tissues in that area (hemorrhoids). In addition, by not eating enough fiber daily and drinking enough water, the excess pressure caused by straining to pass a dry hard stool can also result in piles, a condition in which the insides of the lower colon are actually forced outside of the anus. Both hemorrhoids and piles can usually be completely averted by eating a healthy diet, eating more fiber, and drinking enough water daily.

Health Tip: Be sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Not only is it important that you keep your cells properly hydrated for optimal functioning, but drinking enough water a day, along with eating enough fiber, will also help to eliminate constipation. When you eat food containing fiber but do not drink enough water, then the fiber will not be able to absorb enough water to make stools soft and yet firm enough for easy passage.

For Weight Loss Health: One benefit of taking a fiber supplement and drinking a large glass of water 30 to 60 minutes prior to eating is that fiber generally does not have many if any calories. The good news is that by taking your fiber with water before lunch or dinner you will not feel nearly as hungry. Many studies have been done showing that weight loss can often be dramatic (four to eight pounds weight loss a month or more), even with no other change in your eating habits, just by taking a good fiber product before you feel hungry. When you take fiber prior to feeling hungry, your body's eating senses are turned off because your stomach is at least partially full from the water and fiber. When you do eat you will not feel like eating as much. This means that you will consume less food calories, which makes weight loss goals easier. If you are overweight, combine this fiber weight loss tip with eating healthy and with moderate daily exercise and within a short time you could make significant weight loss progress.

I have found a great Fiber Supplement that adds up to 15 grams of daily Fiber per serving but that also helps cleanse, detoxify and supports good colon and digestive immune health. This product is Doctor Greens Cleansing Fiber Plus and their excellent Fiber Cleanse and a Detox/Cleanse 4-product package available on their website.

This beneficial Cleanse and Detox package contains a very helpful pamphlet and easy to follow instructions to help you get more daily fiber along with supporting a thorough cleanse, detox and importantly aids Re-Energizing your body for better health. To Your Better Health, Hal Decker

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Hal Decker is Founder and CEO of Doctor Greens, an organic and wholesome vitamin, supplement and Greens Company in Portsmouth, NH. Hal has lectured to thousands about the importance of proper nutrition and diet to people around the country. Hal will have a book coming out titled "Start Feeling Better Now", due out in 2009. If you would like to hire Hal Decker for your next speaking engagement, visit http://www.doctorgreens.com

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