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Step 1
To Control High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol--Eat oatmeal or buckwheat everyday; even a 1-oz. serving can lower blood pressure. An average of 20g daily intake of fiber can positively impact cholesterol numbers.
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Step 2
To Help Diabetes--Use anything that slows the entry of sugar into the blood. One example is to eat an apple with its fiber intact instead of drinking apple juice where the fiber has been removed. The fiber slows sugar conversion.
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Step 3
Gallstone Prevention--One of the best ways to relieve the pain of a gallbladder attack is to take fiber such as psyllium for a few days and avoid fatty foods. The gallbladder produces a bile which is squeezed into the small intestine to emulsify and digest fats. Gallstones can be prevented by eating plenty of fiber such as bran cereal each day.
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Step 4
To Reduce Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins--One of the major causes of enlarged and bulging veins (hemorrhoids are veins in the rectum and anus) is straining during a bowel movement. Consuming more fiber will eliminate constipation and straining. The key is to cut down or eliminate the amount of white flour and processed foods in the diet while increasing whole grains, and whole fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Step 5
To Prevent Heart Disease--Both high blood pressure and high cholesterol are major factors in heart disease, so preventing these diseases by eating a high fiber diet helps to prevent heart disease. Although all types of fiber are important, it has been found that those from breakfast cereals are the most beneficial.
