| Experts say the average North American | | | | help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. |
| consumes less than half of the recommended 25 | | | | Vegetables and some fruit contain soluble fibre. |
| to 40 grams of fibre we need daily to help | | | | Insoluble fibre: (also known as roughage or bulk) |
| prevent a host of health problems. Not only that, | | | | doesn't dissolve in water and can help relieve |
| many people are not having any more than one | | | | constipation and maintain a healthy digestive |
| bowel movement a day, and for some the bowel | | | | system. Insoluble fibre is found in vegetables, |
| transit time is anywhere from 48 to 96 hours! | | | | fruits, legumes such as beans and peas, nuts, |
| These are pretty scary statistics considering we | | | | wheat bran and whole-wheat flour. |
| should be eliminating waste every 12 to 18 hours | | | | Foods that contain fibre and are easy to |
| when our system is in optimal working order. Of | | | | incorporate into a daily regime include fruits and |
| course bowel transit time depends on what types | | | | vegetables such as apples, oranges, pears, |
| of food we eat and how much we drink, so | | | | bananas, berries, peas, broccoli, sweet potato, |
| people who eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables | | | | corn and carrots. Another great source of fibre |
| and whole grains will have shorter transit times | | | | are beans (kidney and baked), lentils, almonds and |
| than people who eat mostly starches, sugars and | | | | other nuts, seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin |
| processed foods. | | | | seeds, and whole grain breads and pastas. It's also |
| Not to mention, if we're "full of it" we're often | | | | important for our digestive health to drink plenty |
| overloaded with toxins which can result in a | | | | of water every day (six to eight cups). Taking |
| number of health concerns such as constipation, | | | | herbal and fibre supplements regularly will also help |
| poor digestion, bloating, gas, fatigue, weight gain, | | | | to ensure we are getting enough fibre in our diet |
| headaches, excessive mucous, poor skin, and | | | | as well as help to eliminate toxins. |
| even depression. Some health professionals even | | | | AIM Herbal Fiberblend contains both soluble and |
| believe toxic build-up may be related to conditions | | | | insoluble fibre making it an ideal product as a |
| like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and | | | | source of fibre, as well as cleansing herbs to aid in |
| multiple chemical sensitivity amongst others. | | | | bowel regularity, scouring the intestinal wall, and |
| In her book Cleansing the Body and the Colon for | | | | ridding the body of toxins. AIM FibreBalance |
| a Happier and Healthier You using Herbal Dietary | | | | (Canada only) provides 12 grams of fibre (soluble |
| Fiber, Teresa Schumacher, author and formulator | | | | and insoluble) in two scoops, prevents constipation |
| of AIM Herbal Fiberblend writes, "everyone is | | | | and protects the intestinal wall. It reduces transit |
| different". "You should have from one to four | | | | time and provides a more thorough evacuation of |
| eliminations a day, one for each meal eaten. They | | | | waste and helps maintain digestive health. |
| should be of a good consistency and not loose like | | | | A diet which includes foods that are high in fibre, |
| diarrhea." | | | | can reduce the incidences of colon cancer, heart |
| Increasing the fibre content in our diet is not | | | | disease, appendicitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, |
| difficult to do and foods high in fibre also contain | | | | and other health complications related to poor |
| many important nutrients essential for optimal | | | | digestive health. A diet rich in fibre can help |
| health and well-being. Consumed on a regular | | | | manage and protect against many diseases, |
| basis, high fibre foods also provide us with the | | | | prevent constipation, and reduce transit time |
| energy and vitality we need from day to day. | | | | providing a more thorough evacuation of waste. |
| There are two types of fibre: | | | | Are you getting enough fibre? |
| Soluble fibre: dissolves in water and is believed to | | | | |