Sunday Sept 15, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A report in Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol reminds us that an adequate intake of dietary fiber can help prevent a range of diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

The report by F. S. Bernaud and T. C. Rodrigues says that high fiber intake has been associated with lower risk of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and colon cancer. 

According to the report, increased intake of dietary fiber can help reduce serum cholesterol, improve blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus, reduce body weight or prevent obesity, and is associated with lower serum ultrasensitive C-reactive protein. 

Dietary fiber is fermented in the large intestine and releases some active components that favorably affect "the speed of digestion, pH of the colon, and production of by-products with important physiological functions," says the report. 

A daily dose that is higher than the recommended dietary intake of fiber (greater than 14 grams per 1,000 kcal) may render greater health benefits such as reduced low-grade inflammation, according to the report.

Dietary fiber is found in plant foods and that is why eating plant-based diet can help prveent various chronic diseases including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer.  Many people do not have sufficient intake of dietary fiber and they may consider taking some types of fiber supplements, which can be purchased from local health stores or over the internet.   Keep in mind that not all fibers have the same physiologic function though. (DL)