High-fiber diets

If you experience constipation, drink plenty of fluids, eat a high-fiber diet, and exercise (if your condition allows). If constipation persists, the primary health care provider may prescribe a mild laxative or stool softener. 

Reduced dietary fat intake associated with high-fiber diets... 

Painter NS The high fiber diet in the treatment of diverticular disease of the colon. Postgrad Med J 1974 50 629-635. 

Diverticulosis, or the presence of several diverticula, affects 50% or more of the population over the age of 60 years in several countries (Ye and others 2005). Studies have established an association between low-fiber diets and the presence of diverticulosis (Aldoori and Rayan-Harschman 2002). The intake of fruit and vegetable fiber was inversely associated with risk of diverticulosis in a large prospective study of male health professionals, and therefore a high-fiber diet including fruits and vegetables remains an important aspect of therapy for diverticulosis (American Dietetic Association 2002). 

The approach to the treatment of constipation in infants and children should consider neurologic, metabolic, or anatomic abnormalities when constipation is a persistent problem. When not related to an underlying disease, the approach to constipation is similar to that in an adult. High-fiber diet should be emphasized. 

In a study conducted at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (31), we found a decrease in calcium balance when spinach was fed in a moderately high fiber diet for 4 weeks (Figure 7). 

Thus, it may be that the combination of high phytate and high fiber diets is more detrimental to calcium absorption than is either calcium absorption inhibitor by itself. 

Anti M, Pignataro G, Armuzzi A, Valenti A, Iascone E, Marmo R, Lamazza A, Pretaroli AR, Pace V, Leo F, Castelli A, Gasbar-rini G. Water supplementation enhances the effect of high fiber diet on stool frequency and laxative consumption in adult patients with functional constipation. Hepatogastroenterology 1998 45 727-732. 

A high fiber diet will help by redirecting fat soluble metabolites to the colon rather than bladder. THC is eliminated primarily in the stool via bile acids. Both EMIT and RIA detect a secondary metabolite which is reabsorbed from the intestines. Thus a person with a high fiber diet will excrete a majority of THC [metabolites] in the stool [Anonlj. A fiber-based laxitive will also help by binding bile-acids. Use caution. Fiber laxitives can alter one s bowel schedule and lead to dependancy. 

The use of high-fiber diets has recently received a great deal of publicity, and many claims have been made for the value of such diets. Fiber in the diet is derived entirely from plant material, either from fruit and vegetables or from cereals, the latter being known as bran. The fiber content in each case is a complex carbohydrate in the form of cellulose, pectin, and lignin. TTiese fibers pass through the human GI tract relatively unaltered by enzymes. 

A high-fiber diet is effective in the prevention of constipation and diverticulitis. Claims also have been made that such diets prevent cancer of the colon. Such allegations require further study. 

Increasing fluid intake, exercising, and eating a high-fiber diet will promote defecation... 

Furthermore, the metabolism of isoflavones is influenced by different components of the diet. A high fiber diet may increase the growth and/or activity of bacteria responsible for equol production in the colon [90]. This is relevant since equol has an oestrogenic potency higher than the precursor daidzein [91]. 

Jacobs. L.R. Lupton, J.R. (1986) Relationship between colonic luminal pH, cell proliferation, and colon carcinogenesis in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine treated rats fed high fiber diets. Cancer Res.. 46, 1727-1734... 

A resurgence of interest in dietary fiber has been stimulated by epidemiological evidence of differences in colonic disease patterns between cultures with diets containing large quantities of fiber, and Western cultures having more highly refined diets. Many African countries, for example, are relatively free of diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, polyps, and cancer of the colon Whereas most interest has focused on the beneficial role of dietary fiber, there is also concern that high fiber diets may cause disturbances in the absorption of nutrients such as minerals (see Mineral Nutrients) and vitamins. 

Dietary fiber has a pronounced effect on the characteristics of the fecal mass and on the rate of passage of digest through the G1 trad, High fiber diets also play a role in the excretion of bile acids and cholesterol. 

The problem with laxatives is that they are frequently abused. The long-term, chronic use of laxatives is usually unnecessary and often unhealthy. These agents are self-administered by individuals who are obsessed with maintaining daily bowel movements. The individuals may have the misconception that daily bowel evacuation is needed to maintain normal GI function. Also, laxatives are often relied on instead of other factors that promote normal bowel evacuation, such as a high-fiber diet, adequate hydration, and physical activity.22 Consequently, laxatives serve an important but finite role in GI function, and their role in helping maintain daily evacuation should be deemphasized. 

The exact cause of many cases of neoplastic disease is unknown. However, a great deal has been learned about possible environmental, viral, genetic, and other elements, or carcinogens, that may cause or increase a person s susceptibility to various types of cancer. Conversely, certain positive lifestyles, including adequate exercise, a high-fiber diet, and the avoidance of tobacco products, may be crucial in preventing certain forms of cancer. Of course, routine checkups and early detection play a vital role in reducing cancer mortality. 

Chronic constipation is also another troublesome side effect of prolonged methadone use. As discussed previously, methadone significantly slows the involuntary movements of the small and large intestines. By consuming a high-fiber diet and plenty of water, chronic users of methadone can reduce, but not eliminate, the occurrence of constipation. 

Cellulose. Fiber components differ in their ability to bind to bile (41), the primary route of excretion of manganese (9). Cellulose, the most abundant natural fiber, has been studied for its potential effects on bile and lipid metabolism (42). It is naturally present in high fiber diets and is also commonly added to many commercially-produced food products. Previous studies have shown cellulose to decrease intestinal uptake of a variety of minerals, including zinc, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and iron (32,43,44). In many cases, however, the effect of cellulose has not been considered to be anti-nutritional (32). It has been generally believed that cellulose has a lower binding affinity for minerals than other constituents of dietary fiber (33,45). 

Bile-acid-binding resin results in an interruption of the eiiterohepatic circulation of bile salts and in their iitcreased excretion in the feces. This drug therapy can pnsduce a 20-25" decrease in plasma LDL-cholesterol. A side effect of cholestyramine is constipation, but this problem can be relieved by a high fiber diet. 

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