THE MIRACLE OF FIBER

Do you consume enough fiber each day?

For most of us here in Nigeria, I can probably 
guess that we consume about 10 to 15 grams
of fiber a day. 
Unfortunately, this is just not enough. 
According to the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA), we should actually be eating 
anywhere from 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day.

What exactly is fiber? 
Fiber is the element in plants (like fruits, vegetables
and whole grains) that our bodies do not digest. 
Fiber is different from most foods that we eat in that,
unlike most foods which are absorbed and digested, 
fiber is not absorbed or digested. It actually passes 
quickly through your digestive tract, mostly intact, 
and it is not broken down like other foods.

The fact that fiber is mostly left intact is a good 
thing as it creates bulk which aids in moving 
stool and other harmful carcinogens through 
the digestive tract.

Without enough fiber in your diet, you will have 
irregularity, constipation, and sluggishness.
Insufficient fiber can also increase your risk of 
colon cancer, as well as other serious health 
issues. Because fiber helps to move stool 
through your digestive tract and colon, 
it actually helps to prevent colon cancer as it
keeps your colon clean and healthy.

Other health benefits of fiber include:
* reducing the incidence of heart disease, 
* lowering cholesterol, *blood pressure, 
*glucose levels and inflammation, and even
weight loss.

Fiber can help with weight loss because it 
creates a fullness within your intestines that
helps you to eat less.