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Can high-fiber diets really do all they claim to do? Studies have looked at the relationship between high-fiber diets and many diseases, including colon cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes.

Proven benefits of a high-fiber diet include prevention and treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. In addition, certain types of fiber help decrease blood cholesterol levels.

Dietary fiber comes from the portion of plants that is not digested by enzymes …

Keywords:
high fiber diet,colon cancer,coronary heart disease,diabetes,iber supplements

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Can high-fiber diets really do all they claim to do? Studies have looked at the relationship between high-fiber diets and many diseases, including colon cancer, coronary heart disease and diabetes.

Proven benefits of a high-fiber diet include prevention and treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. In addition, certain types of fiber help decrease blood cholesterol levels.

Dietary fiber comes from the portion of plants that is not digested by enzymes in the intestinal tract. Part of it, however, may be metabolized by bacteria in the lower gut. Different types of plants have varying amounts and kinds of fiber, including pectin, gum, mucilage, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

Pectin and gum are water-soluble fibers found inside plant cells. They slow the passage of food through the intestines but do nothing to increase fecal bulk. Beans, oat bran, fruit and vegetables contain soluble fiber.

In contrast, fibers in cell walls are water insoluble. These include cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Such fibers increase fecal bulk and speed up the passage of food through the digestive tract.

Wheat bran and whole grains contain the most insoluble fiber, but vegetables and beans also are good sources.Sometimes there is confusion as to the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber. Both are determined by a laboratory analysis, but crude fiber is only one-seventh to one-half of total dietary fiber.

Insoluble fiber binds water, making stools softer and bulkier. Therefore, fiber, especially that found in whole grain products, is helpful in the treatment and prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.

Diverticula are pouches of the intestinal wall that can become inflamed and painful.It is now known that a high-fiber diet gives better results once the inflammation has subsided.

Some types of fiber, however, appear to have a greater effect than others. The fiber found in rolled oats is more effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels than the fiber found in wheat. Pectin has a similar effect in that it, too, can lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

High-fiber diets may be useful for people who wish to lose weight. Fiber itself has no calories, yet provides a “full” feeling because of its water-absorbing ability. For example, an apple is more filling than a half cup of apple juice that contains about the same calories.

Foods high in fiber often require more chewing, so a person is unable to eat a large number of calories in a short amount of time. Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Meat, milk and eggs do not contain fiber.

The form of food may or may not affect its fiber content. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as much fiber as raw ones. Other types of processing, though, may reduce fiber content. Drying and crushing, for example, destroy the water-holding qualities of fiber.

The removal of seeds, peels or hulls also reduces fiber content. Whole tomatoes have more fiber than peeled tomatoes, which have more than tomato juice. Likewise, whole wheat bread contains more fiber than white bread.

Fiber supplements are sold in a variety of forms from bran tablets to purified cellulose. Many laxatives sold as stool softeners actually are fiber supplements. Fiber’s role in the diet is still being investigated.

It appears that the various types of fiber have different roles in the body. For these reasons, avoid fiber supplements. Instead, eat a variety of fiber-rich foods.

This is the best way to receive the maximum benefits from each type of fiber present in foods, and obtain necessary nutrients.

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It is a common misconception that coconut oil is bad for you. People all over the world are experiencing the healthy benefits of using coconut oil. It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are the top seven reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other common cooking oils.

1. Coconut oil doesn’t turn to fat in your body.

Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won’t make you fat. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for the body to burn, without turning to fat. Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT’s are usually stored as fat. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

People in the tropics have relied on coconuts as a traditional staple in their diet for centuries. They consume large amounts of coconut oil every day. Instead of getting fatter, it helps them stay healthy, lean and trim. When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the health problems that our modern society faces.

Some other people who have known this truth for a long time are people who are in the animal feed business. When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat. When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

2. Coconut oil increases your metabolism.

Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism, which promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT’s burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT’s.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman’s World magazine stated that coconut oil is the “underground high-metabolism secret.”

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

3. Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.

Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the United States. Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1. We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more omega 3 oils to be healthy. And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Coconut oil gives you energy.

Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT’s promote thermogenesis, which increases the body’s metabolism, producing energy.

This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s), which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss. MCT’s promote thermogenesis, which increases the body’s metabolism, producing energy. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

5. One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair. It gives temporary relief to skin problems like rashes. It aids in healing and restoring skin to a younger appearance. It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin, as well as many other skin problems.

Not only does is soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.

Evidence is mounting that coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as Vitamin E.

7. Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don’t do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer. Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

Because of the misinformation we have been given for years, we have lost out on the healthy benefits that coconut oil has given the people of the tropics for centuries. But now it has been rediscovered! Coconut oil is so effective, it won’t be long before we see coconut oil supplements promoted, but you can get the jump on the popular crowd and start consuming and cooking with coconut oil today!

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Everyone has most likely tried to diet at one point or another in his or her life. There are so many different diet plans out there that it can not only be confusing, but can actually do more harm than good. Some people may struggle with the embarrassment of feeling fat or looking unattractive to the opposite sex, or their health might be in danger because of obesity. Belly or stomach fat is especially difficult not only to deal with but to get rid of as well.

I never dreamed I would be able to fight fat by eating foods that contained fat, but I’ve discovered that this amazing fact is actually true! A few decades ago, people were not thinking about carbohydrates and how they affect the body. Finally dieters everywhere woke up and realized that carbs are actually bad for weight, and can throw off the body’s blood sugar levels, resulting in a build up of fat, mostly around the midsection.

By eating a diet rich in healthy fats, you can combat this annoying problem. Some good fats, particularly those with something called DHA, can actually speed up your metabolism, thus turning you into a real fat burning machine. Monounsaturated fats are another type of fat that are actually good for you, and have been shown to help reduce belly fat.

Foods like nuts, avocados, and olive oil are a few examples of foods that contain these amazing monounsaturated fats naturally. The added bonus is that these foods taste great and are diverse. They can be used in a number of recipes, or eaten alone as a snack. Even chocolate has these fats in them, and it is ok to eat in moderation! Coconut oil or coconut butter is another amazing food that not only tastes delicious, but burns excess fat at a fairly rapid pace.

Omega 3 fats serve as an excellent thermogenic tool. This means that when eaten or consumed, these fats will help to boost your body’s natural fat burning process. Omega 3 can be found in a wide variety of fish as well as flax seed and walnuts. Fish oil supplements can really boost the fat burning effect as well. Fish oil is great for the heart and memory, so you get an added boost!

You should take about 3-6 extra grams of fish oil a day to get some real results, but be sure the supplements are pharmaceutical quality or else you might end up really getting a lot of filler. All of these natural fats are good for you and have been shown to help people lose weight.

It’s hard to imagine that eating a fat can actually help you lose fat, but it’s now possible with some amazing foods and supplements.

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Preparing a list of survival supplies will help you to figure out it you have everything necessary for any type of emergency. There is a whole bunch of possibilities of things you can add in. This is the reason you should write it down. It all needs to be prioritized. The web is a wonderful resource to help you in deciding what works best for you and your family’s needs. There are also dozens of fine books written about emergency preparedness. But here I want to expound upon some of the more “exotic” selections that you may have overlooked, and will add immeasurably to your well being should you ever have to utilize your emergency food storage and survival supplies. These items are not customarily referenced elsewhere on the World Wide Web when subjects related to emergency preparedness are published.

To start with, remember that your health is one of the most essential things that you have, and you don’t want to be compromising it in a survival situation. It’s of principal importance that you be able to function optimally in times of difficulty. By the same token, it is also a plus to be able to eat some of the food items that are delicious, simple pleasures. The nice thing about it is there doesn’t have to be a compromise here. You can get equally healthy and delicious in the same package.

Endorphins are the body’s innate mood stabilizer. They are part of the family of neurotransmitters in the brain. In addition to affecting mood, endorphins are also the body’s natural morphine, or painkiller. Picture yourself feeling a bit down in a survival situation (it’s not a very far stretch for the imagination). Wouldn’t it be nice to have at your disposal from your survival supplies something such as a nice bar of health-promoting (antioxidant-filled) and delectable dark chocolate to deliver a hardworking squad of endos (endorphins)? If it works for PMS, it should work just as well for someone down on their luck, no?

For a more direct approach, it may be advantageous to collect some natural herbal-based, mood enhancing supplements in your survival supplies. No matter how bullet proof you think you would be in an intermediate to long-term survival scenario, everybody handles stressors differently (and in an unanticipated way), and it’s not shameful to be a forward thinker in this manner. In fact, it’s quite bright.

Beyond mood enhancing supplementation, reflect upon other medical needs that may arise during an intermediate to long-term survival situation. I am not speaking here of first aid kit bandages and antiseptic. Here I focus upon health food supplements that can act to address mild to moderate health concerns when the customary prescription medication supply has been exhausted. It is surely wise to stock up on prescription medications by having on hand the limit amount possible by law for emergency purposes, but at some point you are forbidden from obtaining any more, and must have in mind an substitute supply of a remedy for your particular need. A menopausal woman, for example, may suffer mercilessly from hot flashes that gone untreated may be more than just a drag on her quality of life. Another person with asthma may not have access to a prescription inhaler, which could result in a life-threatening situation. Yet another may endure a serious skin disorder and run out of a prescription ointment or cream that would leave them in a dejected state. These are just a few examples of many where preparation beforehand by purchasing an ample reserve of an herbal or homeopathic alternative for long-term storage makes sense.

Living without chocolate will be problematic. Living without your health in an emergency is agonizing.