It has been estimated that our hunter-gatherer ancestors–who foraged for food for hours every day ate about 12 pounds of plant foods a day and about 100 grams of fibre. If we did that, we’d spend a good part of our day just eating. But the average person falls far short of meeting the fibre recommendation of 25 to 30 grams a day. In fact, most of us only eat about 15 grams. Fibre is the structural portion of a plant, and so it is found in whole fruits, vegetables, beans and grains (like corn and brown rice); there is no fibre in meats, fish or poultry. Different types of fibres have different effects on the body, and it’s important to get plenty of fibre from a variety of sources.

  •  Water-soluble fibres are found in the highest concentration in apples, oranges, carrots, potatoes, oats, barley and beans. These types of fibre delay the time it takes for food to pass through the system, and so they provide a feeling of fullness. They also slow the absorption of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and so they help to keep blood-sugar levels more even throughout the day. This type of fibre is also helpful in lowering blood cholesterol levels, which is why oats and oat bran have been popular for heart health.
  • Water-insoluble fibres are found in the highest concentrations in vegetables, wheat bran, corn bran, rice bran and most other whole grains. These fibres speed up the transfer of food through the intestines and also trap water, so they are particularly good in helping to prevent constipation.

The health benefits of a high-fibre diet are numerous. Most people are aware that fibre keeps the intestinal tract functioning smoothly. The fibre not only helps prevent constipation, but also reduces the risk of haemorrhoids. For those wanting to lose weight, a high-fibre diet is a great way to go. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains have fewer calories “per bite” than do foods that have a lot of fat and sugar. Also, the fibres keep food in the stomach longer and absorb water, so they provide the sensation of fullness.

Can you get too much? Adding too much fibre to the diet in a short period of time might lead to abdominal discomfort and gas, so if your diet is usually low in fibre; increase the amount slowly over a few weeks to give your system time to adjust. Also, drink plenty of liquid to allow the fibre to soften and swell. And make sure to eat a variety of fibre sources to reap all the health benefits that high-fibre foods provide.

 Fiber isn’t just good for your gut.

It fights heart disease and diabetes, new studies suggest.

The full-body benefit comes from eating the 20-35 grams of fiber per day recommended by dietary guidelines.

 Fiber for Heart Health

Yunsheng Ma, MD, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, followed 524 healthy adults for one year. At the beginning of the study – and every three months – the researchers drew blood for lab tests and collected details about what the volunteers were eating.

“This study shows that dietary fiber prevents heart disease and diabetes,” Ma tells WebMD. “The fiber offers protection. So people need to get their fruit and vegetables.” Ma’s study appears in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Fiber Fights Diabetes in Overweight/Obese People

People who are overweight are at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, the most common kind. Martin O. Weickert, MD, of the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Nuthetal, Germany, noted that people who eat a lot of cereal fibers, such as bran, are less likely to get diabetes.

 Your digestive system is one of the most essential components of your entire body. According to a recent survey, people have a keen interest in digestive health issues. More than 50 percent of people surveyed have grown more concerned about their digestive health in the past two years. And a solid 80 percent feel it’s important to improve their body’s digestive health, although they’re not doing much about it.

HERBALIFE FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Digestive health can affect other areas of our health–weight, energy, skin and immunity–in ways we might never have imagined. It’s important to understand the link between digestive health and overall wellness. To get the most from your weight-loss program, soothe your system with Herbalife® Herbal Aloe Drink for improved digestion. Add in Herbalife® Fibre & Herb for friendly bacteria and intestinal health.

 DIGESTIBLE FACTS

  • The small intestine is where the majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place.*
  • The health of your digestive system can significantly affect your immune function.
  • A majority of Americans consume only about 14 grams of fiber per day, while the Institute of Medicine recommends 38 grams for men under age 50, and 25 grams for women in the same age group.

 CLEANSING AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION

In your everyday life, your body may be exposed to toxins. Maintaining your digestive health can help your body neutralize and eliminate them from your system. Supporting your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins enhances your weight-loss efforts. Improve your body’s nutrient absorption and healthy elimination, and you’ll see how your health and weight loss improves overall.

2 Products that can help you with achieving a good amount of healthy fibre every day:

FIBRE & HERB

This cleanses the digestive tract and enhances the absorption of the Protein Drink into the body. It contains strong cleansing herbs that clean and detoxify your colon on a daily basis. It also provides you with a high source of dietary fibre and helps create a feeling of fullness. It is referred to as “the broom”.

  • The fibre used is OAT BRAN – encourages the efficient elimination of waste and supports the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients from the food we eat.
  • The fibre is soluble fibre, which is more gentle for the system.
  • Lowers cholesterol.
  • Aids digestion.

 This product is ideal for:

  • People who have acne: we have a fantastic programme for these people and if they add the Clarifying Mask from the Outer Nutrition range, it really works brilliantly.
  • People who are taking the shake to gain, lose or maintain weight.
  • People who want to detoxify their systems: take 4 tablets, 3 times a day with a minimum of 2-3 litres of water for 3 days. The water is vital to flush out the toxins. 
  • People with high cholesterol.
  • People who do not like fruit or vegetables. This fruit fibre is soluble.  

LIPOBOND

This product is known as a “fat blocker” or “cheaters delight”. What it does is eliminate 25 to 30% of the bad (saturated) fat from each meal. This automatically reduces your calorie intake so you lose weight at a faster rate. Also lowers the risk of heart disease as it aids in the removal of “bad fat” which causes high cholesterol. The other benefits are that it improves your fibre intake and gives you a feeling of fullness.

 Reserve Knowledge:

  • Consists mainly of cellulose (sticky) fibre obtained from the skins of various fruits. It breaks up in the stomach and clings to the saturated fat in your meal eliminating up to 30% of it per meal.
  • Helps in cleansing the colon.
  • Contains Sodium Choleate which is a lipid emulsifier that helps dissolve fat.

Tags: Health & Wellness

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