Fiber! The Magic Weight Loss Food Additive! Fact or Fiction?

Ahh Fiber... Most of us don't get enough fiber enriched foods in our diets because we say that "eating fiber is like eating cardboard". What we don't realize is that there are many other delicious ways in which to get the required amount of fiber without leaving an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth.

While fiber is best known for preventing and relieving constipation and hemorrhoids, it is also extremely beneficial in providing other health benefits as well, such as lowering your risk of diabetes by keeping blood sugar in check, and preventing heart disease by lowering blood pressure, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and keeping weight under control.

What goes in, must come out! Did you know that our bodies can store 8 to 9 meals in our colons? Do you know what happens to that food after a long period of time? It forms bacteria and toxins that can lead to serious health conditions such as Diverticular Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and even Cancer.

What is Fiber?

Dietary fiber, is part plant food that is known as roughage that your body does not digest or absorb and allows your food to pass through your stomach and small intestine and into your colon, unlike food elements such as fats and carbohydrates and proteins that break down and are absorbed in your body. Fiber is crucial in promoting the passing of food through your digestive system for those who suffer from constipation or irregularity. Soluble Fiber is fiber that dissolves in water to form a gel substance. This type of fiber can help to lower blood cholesterol and glucose blood sugar levels.

Getting enough fiber can result in weight loss because it is a very useful aid in reducing calorie intake. Bottom line, to maintain a healthy weight, the most effective way is to reduce calorie intake that stays within your daily calorie guidelines, and to stay on a regular exercise program to burn off excess calories.

What is the magic behind dietary fiber? Glucomannan

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber that is water-soluble that is extremely difficult for humans to digest and usually just goes through your body and passes through your intestines. It absorbs several times its weight in water and forms a gel in the stomach, giving a feeling of fullness which results in you eating less.

Glucomannan comes from the Konjac root. Because Glucomannan is a fiber, it can be beneficial in both weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. It does this by expanding your stomach and absorbing fats and carbs. These absorbed fats are eliminated from the body, and do not go through the digestion process, dismissing the intake of calories. Because of this process, Glucomannan is extremely beneficial in promoting weight loss.

Other health benefits of Glucomannan is it's ability to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and has had amazing results for Type 2 Diabetes patients by keeping their glucose blood sugar levels stable. In one study, diabetic patients were given glucomannan for 90 days and their fasting glucose levels fell by an average of 29%.

A diet rich in Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Realistically, most people do not get enough fiber in their diets in the foods that they eat and since Glucomannan is found in very limited amounts in food, a supplement is required. A great way to be able get the right amount of fiber in your diet that contains Glucomannan is with Konnyaku, which is a Japanese jelly-like health food made from a potato called Konnyaku Potato. The Japanese have been eating it for over 1500 years.

Is Fiber the Magic Weight Loss Food Additive? After reading this, you be the judge!