You probably regard fiber as a relatively simple matter: Eat enough of that dry cardboard-y stuff that passes for breakfast cereal and you're good to go -- quite literally, since fiber is commonly used to relieve constipation. Fiber is actually...
Most Americans need more fiber in their diets. The average American consumes 14 g of fiber daily, while the recommended amounts are 38 grams per day for adult men and 25 g for adult women, according to the Colorado State University Extension. If...
The Enzymatic Therapy Whole Body Cleanse is a three-part cleansing kit that claims to eliminate toxins in the intestines, gall bladder, lymphatic system and circulatory system caused by exposure to toxin-laden food, water and air. It claims to...
Metamucil is a fiber supplement. Generally, it is used for the purpose of regulating bowel function. Metamucil products include drink mixes in orange, pink lemonade, and Berry Burst, Metamucil wafers, Metamucil capsules, unflavored sugar free, and...
Pectin is a type of fiber that is found in all plant cell walls and tissues. While all may contain pectin, the amount and concentration of pectin varies among plants. Apples contain a particularly high amount of pectin, according to...
Digestion involves a network of processes intended to break down the food you eat into tiny particles that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Digestion begins in your mouth and once you swallow food it follows the path of your digestive tract,...
Oats were introduced to North America in the early 1600s and primarily used as feed for livestock. As a food product, oats were not favored because of tasting bland, but gradually oats became a major crop that made its way into breakfast cereals...
For the vast majority of people, oat bran fiber is not only safe, it is also beneficial to health. The American Heart Association states that soluble fiber, such as that found in oat bran, can be a heart-healthy addition to a diet low in saturated...
Dietary fiber does indeed have laxative effects. It can help to relieve constipation --- but you have to consume the right kind of fiber. There are numbers classifications and dietary sources of dietary fiber, each with its own therapeutic...
You need fiber in your diet, but some people avoid it in favor of more refined foods. Insoluble fiber is fiber that doesn't disperse in water. Foods such as wheat bran and whole grains provide insoluble fiber, which has been shown to aid in...
People with diabetes, diverticulitis or a simple desire to improve their health through diet can turn to high-fiber food sources for help. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises boosting fiber content with foods rather than with a...
The human body cannot digest all carbohydrates. That doesn't mean that nondigestible carbohydrates have no nutritional purpose. Quite the contrary, carbohydrates that pass through your gastrointestinal system without being broken down and absorbed...
The processes of fat loss and muscle gain goes hand-in-hand because having more muscle mass in your body will increase your fat-burning potential. However, many people who wish to lose weight do not understand this basic concept, and many diets...
Psyllium husk is obtained from the seed of the psyllium plant. It contains 71 g of fiber per 1/3 cup, as opposed to oats which contain about 5 g of fiber per 1/3 cup. Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber, also called mucilaginous, which disperses...
Your colon naturally cleanses itself. The lining of the colon is a mucus membrane that constantly keeps the colon lubricated. The walls of the colon consist of smooth muscle cells that contract in a wave-like motion to keep the contents of the...
While dietary supplements maintain some nutrient levels, super foods give women's health a broader nutritional boost. According to the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, varied food sources in a good diet add contributions of fiber, flavonoids...
Prebiotic fibers, indigestible food ingredients, are important in maintaining digestive health. Your digestive tract breaks down food nutrients into smaller molecules that are dispersed to different parts of the body for nourishment. Fiber does...
Cereal foods are made from cereal grains such as oats, barley, rye, corn and wheat. Bread, pasta, breakfast cereal and oatmeal are all cereal foods made solely from these grains or from a combination of cereal grains. Cereal foods contain...
Abdominal compression girdles for women and compression garments for men are used in lieu of bandages to reduce pain and enhance healing following abdominal surgery associated with weight loss. Compression garments do not induce weight loss. They...
