4 Reasons Why You Need More Fiber
How many grams of fiber do you consume daily?
Most Americans consume half the recommended dietary intake of 25 grams (women) to 38 grams (men) of fiber daily for adults 50 years or younger. Over the age of 50, women should consume 21 grams of fiber and men 30 grams per day.
There are two types of fiber.
Soluble fiber turns to a gel during digestion. Sources of soluble fiber include oats, oatmeal, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, lentils, and some fruits and vegetables (i.e. oranges, apples, carrots).
Insoluble fiber is not digested. It adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the stomach and intestines. Sources of insoluble fiber include vegetables, whole-grains, and wheat bran.
A diet high in fiber is connected to many health benefits.
- Lower cholesterol levels
Boosting fiber intake from whole-grain products leads to a slower build-up of arterial plaque. Studies also find soluble fiber to protect against atherosclerosis, which is this build-up of plaque in the arterial walls.
Dietary fiber also binds to LDL cholesterol during digestion, resulting in lower LDL cholesterol levels, without decreasing HDL cholesterol levels.
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What Is a Healthy Cholesterol Level? VIDEO with Dr. Sinatra
Dr. Sinatra is a well-known cardiologist focused on providing his clients with useful cholesterol tips in order to live a healthier life.
Can Probiotics Lower Cholesterol Levels?
Understanding gut bacteria and how they impact metabolism, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity may provide new treatment options.
Trillions of bacteria and other microbes live within our gut. This microbiome is necessary to neutralize by-products of digestion, decrease toxins and carcinogens, and inhibit the growth of unhealthy bacteria and yeast. The microbiome also aids in the absorption of nutrients, supports the digestive process, and produces vitamins B and K.
Research published in the journal Circulation Research found the microbiome may also play a role in body mass index (BMI) and blood lipid levels (i.e. HDL and triglycerides).
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Triglycerides: What Fat and Sugar Have in Common
Holiday splurges can result in more than extra weight to shed in the New Year. Sweet cookies, pies, and candies all rich in fat, along with excess alcohol and calories can lead to a spike in triglyceride levels. This increase in triglycerides may put you at increased risk for heart disease.
In the Q&A section below, Lorraine Matthews-Antosiewicz, registered dietitian and author of 10 Days to Sugar Free: Sugar Detox Survival Guide, has answered questions regarding the relationship between triglycerides, sugar, and fat.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are a type of fat that come from food, and your body also makes them. They are the most common type of fat found in the body. Triglycerides are continually circulating in the blood ready to be metabolized to provide a source of energy when needed, but their main function is to store energy for later use. When you consume more calories than your body can use, it converts the excess into triglyceride and stores it in fat cells. Fat cells hold the triglyceride molecules until your body needs energy between meals. Hormones signal the fat cells to release the triglycerides for your body to use.
Why do triglycerides matter?
Vitamin C to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Individuals with high fruit and vegetable intake have a 15% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 20% lower risk of early death when compared to those who rarely eat fruit and vegetables, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers state this reduced risk of heart disease and early death for regular fruit and vegetable consumers is related to a high concentration of vitamin C in the blood.
The role of vitamin C in heart disease
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant enhancing the body’s response to free radicals and protecting the arteries from oxidative damage.
- Vitamin C enables collagen synthesis in arterial wall connective tissue, strengthening blood vessel walls. Weakened collagen makes it easier for oxidized LDL and the inflammatory process to gain a foothold and plaque formation.
- Vitamin C increases nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator increasing the arteries ability to widen and reduce blood pressure.
Vitamin C also…
- Aides in wound healing
- Boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cells and interferons
- Slows gum disease
- Aids carnitine synthesis
- Reduces leukotrienes production (factor in allergic reactions)
- Increases fertility
- Aids regeneration of vitamin E
- Enhances iron absorption
- Plays a role in serotonin production (a neurotransmitter impacting mood and appetite)
- Reduces incidence of cataracts
- Acts as a diuretic
- Decreases bruising
Vitamin C in your diet
The body cannot make vitamin C, which means you must consume vitamin C in either foods or supplements. I encourage you to increase your intake of fruit and vegetables to boost your vitamin C intake daily.
Some foods rich in vitamin C include red sweet peppers, turnip greens, broccoli, red cabbage, strawberries, spinach, oranges, mangos, cantaloupes, and raspberries.
Causes of vitamin C deficiency
Be especially aware if you have any of the following conditions or take any of the following medications. They promote vitamin C deficiency:
- Antibiotics
- Stress
- Aspirin
- Painkillers
- Sulfa drugs
- High fever
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cortisone
- Birth control pills
- Smoking
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it leaves the body quickly. You should consume foods rich in vitamin C throughout the day.
Be sure to access the free ecourse “How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps” at http://lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Health Pro for HealthCentral
Image courtesy of Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Raspberries to Promote Heart Health
Raspberries are low calorie, convenient, great tasting, and provide a variety of nutrients. An excellent addition to your diet.
Fiber to lower cholesterol
Fiber is a key nutrient to combat high cholesterol levels and promote heart health. Dietary fiber binds to cholesterol in circulation and helps remove it from the body. Raspberries provide 12.5 grams/100 kcal (Calories).
For comparison…
High fiber cereals = 6 g fiber/100 kcal
Apple = 4.6 g fiber/100 kcal
Banana = 2.9 g fiber/100 kcal
Grapes = 1.3 g fiber/100 kcal
Most American’s consume about half the daily fiber recommendation of 25 to 35 grams per day. Raspberries are a useful tool for easily increasing your fiber intake. One cup of raspberries provides 8 grams of fiber.
Anthocyanins to lower blood pressure
Endothelial function is compromised with atherosclerotic disease. By providing the body with enhanced oxidative defenses, such as anthocyanins, you increase the nitric oxide released to relax blood vessels leading to vasodilation. This vasodilation promotes lower blood pressure levels. The anthocyanins found in raspberries have been shown to promote vasodilation of blood vessels in studies.
A little chemistry explanation
Quick chemistry lesson so you can better understand a couple terms.
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