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Eliminate toxins in the body with fiber

Last week we discussed how the pounds of bad bacteria, toxins, dead cells and food waste are removed from your body through the colon and some foods that can help the process of ‘elimination’.  Now we’ll go into more detail and discuss fiber – the magic sponge that makes the process of elimination much more efficient.

 

Dr. Bernard Jensen, a respected nutritionist and author, stated that in his experience with helping over 300,000 patients  “Any cleansing program should begin in the colon . . . poor bowl management lies at the root of most people’s health problems . . . it is the bowl that invariably has to be cared for first before any effective healing can take place.”

 

Fiber is necessary for cleansing bowel movements that eliminate body toxins and waste. Without fiber they will pool in the colon, sit there for days and sometimes weeks, fermenting until they are absorbed back into the body through the walls of the colon and into the bloodstream. Is it no wonder then that lack of fiber results in poor bowl movements which in turn results in illness and disease? 

 

Without proper movement through the colon, body waste is put back into the body!

 

As discussed last week, the colon is the body’s sewage system which fills up with so much poison that doctors dare not touch it unless absolutely necessary and take great care not to puncture it during surgery or colonoscopies. So it is very important that we do everything in our power to keep our colon healthy to ensure body waste is eliminated properly.

 

TWO TYPES OF FIBER TO KEEP OUR COLONS HEALTHY

 

There are two main types of fiber – soluble and insoluble – and both are necessary for proper colon function.

 

Soluble fiber binds cholesterol in the small intestine (part of the colon) and carries it out of the body. Some types of soluble fiber also slow down the release of sugars in some of the foods we eat which then reduces the risk of developing diabetes.  Foods containing soluble fiber include apples, oatmeal, mangoes, beans, peas, and other natural whole foods.

 

Insoluble fiber is literally a sponge. When you eat insoluble fiber it sits in your colon and soaks up all of the toxins and waste, several times more than its own size, and carries it out to the ‘lua’. Fiber itself is not digested by the body so the sheer bulk of fiber naturally pushes other foods and everything else in the colon out the back door so to speak.

 

If the colon is not cleaned out on a daily basis our immune system is weakened, we experience abdominal pains, and general overall bad health. Did you know that a piece of beef can sit in your stomach for days before it is finally digested and moved to the colon where, without proper fiber intake, it can sit for weeks to ferment in the body?

 

Toxins come from undigested food, pollution in the air, medication, bacteria, even things we absorb through our skin. It also comes from the thousands of dead cells that our body replaces which can add up to over 70 pounds per year.  Without fiber the body will attempt to release these toxins through sweat and mucus from the nose and mouth. 

 

As we age it becomes more difficult for the colon to work properly, much like old pipes under the kitchen sink, because years of bad eating and lack of fiber have built up layers of toxic residue in the colon walls. You’ve probably seen the Metamucil commercials geared towards senior citizens. Market research has shown that more doctors are recommending fiber supplements like Metamucil to younger adults today because of our low intake of fiber compared to the vast amount of unhealthy foods we eat.

 

 Fiber serves other useful purposes as well.

 

It strengthens a diseased heart by removing cholesterol more efficiently, it prevents cancer and other diseases by soaking up carcinogens (cancer causing agents) and removing them from the body, it balances blood sugar levels to improve diabetic symptoms and prevent diabetes, it strengthens the immune system and keeps our bowels healthy.  Fiber also prevents gallstones and ulcers, increases weight loss and soaks up extra estrogen hormones which are a risk for breast cancer.

 

As a result of all these preventive qualities you will look younger, feel younger, think more clearly, and have more energy.  There is no reason NOT to increase our intake of fiber.

 

HOW MUCH FIBER IS ENOUGH?

 

How much fiber do we need every day? The U.S. Recommended daily allowance is 30 grams per day. Most people eat less than 20 grams per day.  Word of caution: the primary sources of fiber are plant foods and grains. Remember, fiber is not digestible so if you are planning to increase your intake of fiber, do it gradually to avoid constipation, bloating and cramping. You must also chew your fiber foods very well to get the most nutritional benefits from them.  For example, romaine lettuce is a great source of fiber but it also contains useful vitamins and minerals. Because the lettuce is ‘fiber’ and not typically digested whole by the body, you have to break down the fiber, the outer layer of the lettuce, to release the nutritional components inside.

 

 This is part of the reason that smoothies have become so popular in the last few years. By pulverizing veggies into a smoothie the fiber is broken down and nutrients released. The fiber is still there in the drink, but now your body can enjoy the total health benefit of healthy whole foods.

 

You must also drink lots of water with your fiber to ease its journey from the stomach through the colon. Concentrate on eating fiber in foods instead of paying lots of money for supplements.

 

Fiber is found in all vegetables and fruits. Because of its popularity there are many processed foods that claim to be healthy because they contain fiber. To be considered ‘high in fiber’ a food should have at least 5 grams of fiber in each serving size. Read the labels on packaged foods to keep track of your fiber intake. Remember, 30 grams a day will lead to better bowel movements but you also need to eat healthy foods in general to achieve maximum benefits. Eating hamburgers and fries everyday along with a half a loaf of whole wheat bread and bowl of salad is better than eating no fiber at all, but you will definitely wait a while to feel the benefits of that fiber intake.  Your best bet would be to slowly change your diet to reduce the amount of fat and junk food and introduce vegetables and fruit every day.

 

Here’s to your health…remember to eat plenty of fiber at to’ona’i tomorrow!