According to the American Dietetic Association, most people are getting less than half of their daily recommended fiber. I’m guessing their numbers may be on the generous side. We love our junk food here in America. Compared to the rest of the world, Americans are on the low end of eating healthy. People living in dirt poor countries with a fraction of our national wealth somehow manage to have better diets than we do. An average adult should be getting about 25 grams of fiber each and every day, but we’re only eating about 11 grams of fiber. Fiber is essential to overall colon health, not only does fiber help with simple conditions like hemroids, but it can also potentially help reduce other serious colorectal diseases.

The FDA has even recently approved statements promoting the health values of fiber. The FDA approved these following statements:

Low fat diets rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber may help reduce the risk of cancer

Reducing saturated fats and cholesterol with a lot of high fiber grains, vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Fruits, vegetables, fiber and a diet with vitamins A and C can help reduce and possibly even prevent cancer.

These FDA statements were only recently approved in 1993. It’s been well known that lifestyle changes play a big part in our health. Yes, genetics play a part, but not everything can be blamed on genetics. Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes like smoking and drinking may end up playing a bigger part than we are even currently aware.

It’s really not that hard to get extra fiber into your diet, it can be easily done with some simple changes. Eat a high fiber cereal or high fiber toast for breakfast. Add a small side salad to lunch or dinner, or better yet, make the salad your main course. If you still find you’re having a hard time getting enough fiber, try a fiber drink or a bulk fiber you add to your normal foods. You’ll be surprised how much these small changes begin to add up. Not only does fiber help reduce the incidence of heart disease and cancer, but it can also help control weight, help control cholesterol levels and it may even work as a hemorrhoids cure for patients with minor cases.

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