Preventive Healthcare and Medicine

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 Dietary fibers are structural components of plants. The type and amount of fiber
 in plants varies from species to species.

 A common misconception about fiber is that it isn't digested by enzymes in the body and
 therefore provides no calories or nutrients. But the category "fiber" includes chemicals 
 that are not fibrous, materials that can be dissolved, and some substances that can be 
 partially digested. We eat quite a complex mixture of fibers.
 
 Dietary fiber is a broad generic term; it includes the following chemicals, which form
 the structural components of plants, including many of the plant foods that we eat.

	

What Does It Do?

Fiber's ability to hold water and to bind minerals and cholesterol-like materials results  
in a number of physiological effects which vary depending on the type of fiber and/or 
 where it is in the digestive tract. 


   	
† > In the mouth, fiber stimulates the flow of
 saliva.

® > In the stomach and small intestine, fiber dilutes the contents
 and delays the emptying of food and the absorption of nutrients;
 this promotes a feeling of fullness.

‡ > In the large intestine, fiber dilutes the contents and 
 provides a place for bacterial growth and digestion. The water-holding capacity of 
 fiber in the lower intestine softens the stool and increases stool size, so that 
  insoluble the process ofelimination is easier and faster.

£ > In the large intestine, fiber also acts to bind certain chemicals.
  Different kinds of fiber have different binding capacities: when fiber binds
 cholesterol-like compounds, it lowers cholesterol, a healthy result; 
 when fiber binds minerals, it decreases their absorption, a less desirable result.
	

physiological effects

Because of these physiological effects, fiber is considered beneficial in preventing,
 alleviating or curing a number of diseases and conditions, including: 


¡ ) arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

™ ) excess food intake

£ ) diverticular disease

¥ ) irritable bowel syndrome

Ø ) Crohn's disease

ß ) gallstone formation

Æ ) constipation
	

Click on the bar to find out more about Fibers!