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Nutrition Information |
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A Background to Dietary Fiber
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant to hydrolysis (A chemical decomposition in which a substance is split into simpler compounds by the addition or the taking up of the elements of water) by human digestive enzymes and, with the exception of lignin, fibers are complex carbohydrates. These include pectin, gums, mucilages, hemicellulose, polysaccharides cellulose, and nonpolysaccharide lignins. Fibers are water-soluble except cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, all of which form part of cell walls. Soluble fibers are sticky and combine with water to form gel-like substances. Pectin is a water-soluble fiber found in soft fruits and vegetables. Gums that are common food additives are also water-soluble, found in stems and seeds of some tropical plants. In general, fruits are higher in pectin and vegetables are higher in cellulose. Although cellulose and hemicellulose are not hydrolyzed, intestinal bacterial can digest some fiber to produce lipid fragments known as short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids are absorbed in the colon and yield energy when metabolized. Water Insoluble fibers pass through the gastrointestinal track unchanged, absorbing up to 15 times their weight, important since they provide the digestive tract with 'bulk' that helps facilitate food through the intestines to be evacuated as solid waste; hence, fiber often is called "nature's natural laxative". Cellulose's ability to absorb water produces softer stools and regular bowel movements. Also, insoluble fiber may prevent colon and rectal cancer and help to control diverticulosis (A sac or pouch in the walls of a canal or organ [e.g., GI tract] that becomes inflamed and causes pain and stagnation of feces. Source: The American Dietetic Association's Complete Food & Nutrition Guide, p. 145). Water-soluble fiber, as found in beans, fruit, and oat bran lowers cholesterol by binding to the cholesterol found in liver bile, to help control diabetes. Overall, dietary fiber does not provide much nourishment to the human diet because of the inability to break down these carb sources for energy, yet reduces available kcalories by providing a sense of satiety and by absorbing some nutrients including fat. However, fiber also absorbs and eliminates essential fatty acids, food substances that are essential for good health and energy metabolism. Also, dietary fiber may be a detoxifier since it binds with some toxic substances before elimination. But a diet extremely high in fiber is not a good idea since it impairs calcium, iron, and zinc absorption in the intestine. Increasing fiber should be a gradual process since the majority of fiber products may cause unpleasant bloating, cramps, gas, and other symptoms - especially if they are eaten in large amounts at once. It is best to add one high fiber food at each eating session to judge whether the food causes symptoms or not. For instance, some people who have problems with brown rice may not have problems with apples, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, or other sources of similar fiber. Many nutrition authorities estimate that 20-35 grams of fiber daily is a desirable intake for the average individual. Note that the amount of nutrients can vary in wheat products since the refining of grains remove part of the seed (e.g., bran, endosperm, and germ). Here are some fiber-rich sources: 1 ounce dry-roasted peanuts: 2.2 g Here are different sources of fiber and their uses in the body: CELLULOSE: Fruit legumes, nuts, oat bran, seeds, whole grains, and vegetables. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; oat bran lowers cholesterol; may help control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. GUMS: Algae, barley, fruits, legumes, oats, seaweed, seeds, and vegetables. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; may lower blood cholesterol; helps control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. HEMICELLULOSE: Fruits, legumes, nuts, oat bran, seeds, whole grains, and vegetables. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; oat bran lowers cholesterol; may help control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. LIGNINS: Woody parts of bran, fruit skins, nuts, seeds, whole grains and vegetables. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; may lower blood cholesterol; may help control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. MUCILAGES: Plant seeds and secretions. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; may lower blood cholesterol; helps control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. PECTINS: Algae, barley, fruits, legumes, oats, seaweed, seeds, and vegetables. Adds bulk to stool to reduce constipation; may lower blood cholesterol; helps control blood sugar; helps weight loss by displacing kcalories. You may publish this article in your newsletter, on your web site, or other publications, so long as the article's content is not altered and the resource box is included. Add byline and active link. Notification of the use of this article is appreciated, but not required. Brian D. Johnston is the Director of Education and President of the I.A.R.T. fitness certification and education institute. He has written over 12 books and is a contributing author to the Merck Medical Manual. An international lecturer, Mr. Johnston wears many hats in the fitness and health industries, and can be reached at [email protected]. Visit his site at http://www.ExerciseCertification.com for more free articles.
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Travel And Tour World Maui County To Phase Out Thousands Of Short-Term Vacation Rentals For Addressing Housing Crisis On Island Travel And Tour World Top Vacation Rentals Near Golf Courses Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Maui panel passes bill to curb vacation rentals and boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire Oskaloosa Herald Main St. request on hold, but ‘Kitschy 2 BR House’ gets vacation rental OK Evanston RoundTable ‘More than doubled’: Jacksonville Beach locals blame vacation rentals for rising home costs Yahoo Home Delicious, home-cooked meals can still be on the menu even in a wonky vacation rental Mainline Media News Inside The ‘Out-Of-Control’ Debate Over Axing Maui Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Alders flip on vacation rentals Evanston Now Maui panel passes bill to curb vacation rentals and boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire Temple Daily Telegram Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules Honolulu Civil Beat Maui panel passes bill to curb vacation rentals and boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire The Derrick A novel idea for Maui’s housing crisis: Using vacation rental profits for residents’ down payments Maui Now Honolulu Hasn't Fined Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Plan To Convert Maui Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Delayed Honolulu Civil Beat Deep Wood Vacation Home Rentals Visit PA Study: Maui Should Phase Out Vacation Rentals With Caution Honolulu Civil Beat Key amendments proposed for vacation rental phase-out bill ahead of Council committee hearing Maui Now Home Team Luxury Rentals Surpasses $50 Million in Airbnb Bookings in Just 12 Months - Without a Single Outside Investor Newswire :) Press Release Distribution Maui Council hears another 70 testifiers on vacation rental phase-out bill; still more to come Maui Now Vacation Rental Study in Goleta Tells More About the Neighbors The Santa Barbara Independent Cape Coral host fined $30,000 as neighbors report issues with three other rentals on their street Fox4Now.com Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Maui Council To Take Up Bill Phasing Out Vacation Rentals This Summer Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Property Owners, Renters Over $1 Million NBC Palm Springs Maui vacation rental bill continues to draw passionate testimony from both sides Hawaii Public Radio Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Millions; Riverside DA Launches Investigation After Public Outcry NBC Palm Springs City has no mercy for illegal vacation rental operators Hawaii News Now WA cabin destinations named among seven best tiny rentals in the country Bellingham Herald Maui panel passes bill to curb vacation rentals and boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire Bluefield Daily Telegraph Couple who owns Manasota Key vacation rentals welcomes first renters since Hurricanes Helene, Milton FOX 13 Tampa Bay Supreme Court: cities cannot limit vacation rentals based on owner occupancy Idaho Public Television Combatting human trafficking: New training, reporting requirements for hotels, vacation rentals WRAL.com Owners claim Maui residents can’t afford converted vacation rentals, UH study says otherwise Yahoo Home Maui Gets $1.6B—Can Vacation Rentals Survive What’s Coming? Beat of Hawaii Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly Planetizen Community invited to briefing about proposed registration process for short-term vacation rentals Big Island Now Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Board recommends new education programs, property management rules for vacation rentals The Palm Springs Post Committee votes 5-0 against couple’s vacation rental request advancing Evanston RoundTable With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals Hawaii Public Radio Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill Hawaii Public Radio Housing panel looks at new rules for rent-setting algorithms, vacation rentals - Evanston RoundTable Housing panel looks at new rules for rent-setting algorithms, vacation rentals Evanston RoundTable Maui Vacation Rental Fight Drags On While Visitors Wait Beat of Hawaii |
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