A 41-year-old member asked:
What does dietary fiber do in the body?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Vivek Huilgolanswered
Gastroenterology 37 years experience
Feed the colon: The cells lining the colon obtain much of their nutrition from the break down of fiber. A short answer to some fairly complex processes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Cattanoanswered
Gastroenterology 41 years experience
Fiber is good 4 you: Fiber, of both water soluble and water insoluble variety, provides health benefits. Fiber accelerates how quickly food transits through the gut. Fiber adds bulk to stool and improves bowel regularity. Fiber can be used as an adjunct to weight loss by filling you up without excess calories, and in so doing restricting fat intake. But too much fiber can make you gassy and increase stool volume.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Arthur Heller commented
Gastroenterology 45 years experience
Water soluble fiber can also help lower blood levels of cholesterol by binding cholesterol in the gut.
Dec 29, 2011
Dr. Charles Cattano commented
Gastroenterology 41 years experience
Provided original answer
Per Harvard Health Letter, 9/2011 and Mensa Bulletin, 12/2011: Fiber helps against respiratory problems, infections, strokes, and heart attacks by blocking absorption of cholesterol and sugar. Anti-inflammatory abilities of fiber may account for other health benefits. Raw fruits and vegetables are the very best sources of fiber. Juice is only half as good as whole fruit for this purpose.
Jan 1, 2012
Dr. Martin Friedanswered
Nutrition 38 years experience
See below: soluble fiber can slow down the stool transit and absorb water in the case of loose stools or diarrhea. Insoluble fiber, which is not digested well, increases the bulk of the stool as well as the transit time and helps in people with constipation and diverticular disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 30, 2020
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