The history of what is good and what is not good for you has definitely had its misleading moments over the course of time.
This is especially true in regard to nutrition. One claim that misled people for nearly two centuries is that fiber is not important for maintaining your health.
From the early 1800s, this essential nutrient—although not everyone agrees it’s essential or a nutrient—was termed crude fiber because it was indigestible: no energy or health benefits provided. Even the word “crude” hints at something negative about fiber. Nothing could be further from nutritional truth.
Fiber Man
Since the 1970s, it has been Dr. Denis Burkitt who is primarily associated with bringing the healthy facts about fiber to light.1 Based on his observations working as a missionary surgeon in Africa, Burkitt noted that his patients had high-fiber intakes and did not suffer from modern health problems common to the West.
A prime example is coronary heart disease, which was pretty much non-existent in Uganda where Burkitt was based. It is now the leading cause of death worldwide.
The observations and writings of Dr. Burkitt brought focus to the idea that diets low in fiber also increase the risk of many other health problems, including appendicitis, cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Today, in countries where a “Western Diet” of mostly processed or fast foods with high amounts of fat, salt and sugar is popular, most people get less than half of their daily recommended 25 grams of fiber for women and 38 grams for men. Dr. Burkitt’s patients were averaging close to 100 grams of fiber daily by primarily eating plants.
Of course, fiber is only one of many beneficial nutrients found in plant-based food, providing countless natural nutrients that work at keeping a body healthy. In fact, the most recent research and studies offer a truly modern medical perspective: plant-based food may be the best medicine you can give your body.2
Upping Fiber Intake
Eating fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts will increase the amount of fiber you get. It’s great to have simple choices in life that make such a healthy difference. And when it comes to upping your intake with supplemental fiber, AIM offers natural choices that are simply great: Herbal Fiberblend and fit ’n fiber.
Herbal Fiberblend
The bottom line is that fiber is associated with bulking up stools to efficiently eliminate waste from the body. Herbal Fiberblend moves this necessary function into the realm of detoxification with carefully selected herbs blended with psyllium. For upping your fiber intake while experiencing cleanses that detoxify, choose Herbal Fiberblend.
Fit ’n Fiber
Your choice for an everyday fiber supplement is Fit ‘n Fiber, delivering this essential nutrient from psyllium husk, oat, apple, flaxseed, acacia and konjac. Ideal for weight management programs, Fit ‘n Fiber also provides food for good gut bacteria: 8 grams of prebiotic fiber.
Fiber is an essential nutrient that provides a variety of health benefits, and AIM makes it simple to benefit from the inner workings of fiber.
References:
1 Denis Burkitt and the origins of the dietary fibre hypothesis
2 www.nutritionfacts.org/topics/plant-based-diets/
The AIM Companies 