‘‘insoluble’’ to describe the health benefits of dietary
fiber, many nutrition experts are now using the terms
‘‘viscous’’ and ‘‘fermentable’’ to describe the functions
and health benefits of dietary fiber. These include:
Reducing blood cholesterol levels: Viscous fibers
lower cholesterol levels by reducing the absorption
of dietary cholesterol. In addition, they combine with
bile acids. These are compounds produced by the
liver from cholesterol that are required for the break-
down of fats. After combining with bile acids, the
compounds are removed from circulation and do not
make it back to the liver. As a result, the liver must
use additional cholesterol to manufacture new bile
acids. Soluble fiber may also reduce the amount of
cholesterol manufactured by the liver.
Normalizing blood sugar levels: Viscous fibers are
also involved in controlling blood glucose levels
because they slow down the rate at which food leaves
the stomach and delay the absorption of glucose
after a meal. Viscous fibers also increase insulin sen-
sitivity. As a result, viscous fibers are believed to play
a role in the prevention and treatment of type 2
diabetes.
Supporting bowel regularity: Fermentable fibers are
fermented by the intestinal flora, the bacteria and
fungi that live in the intestines. The fermentation of
dietary fiber in the large intestine produces a short-
chain fatty acid called butyric acid, which is used as
fuel by the cells of the large intestine and helps main-
tain the health of the colon. Fermentable fibers also
help maintain healthy populations of bacteria in the
intestinal flora. Fibers that are not fermentable help
maintain bowel regularity by increasing the bulk of
the feces and decreasing the time required by fecal
matter to move through the intestines.
BenefitsFiber keeps stool soft and lowers pressure inside
the colon so that bowel contents can move through
easily. This is why it is considered beneficial for diver-
ticular disease. Eating ahigh-fiber dietwill not only
treat diverticular disease, it is also believed to play a
role in the prevention and treatment of the following
health conditions:
breast cancer
cardiovascular disease
colon cancer
diabetes
gallstones
high cholesterol
irritable bowel syndrome
obesity
syndrome XPrecautions
When increasing the fiber content of the diet, it is
recommended to add fiber progressively, adding just a
few grams at a time to allow the intestinal tract to adjust.
Otherwise, abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, and diar-
rhea or constipation may result. Intake of dietary fiber
exceeding of 50g per day may also lead to intestinal
obstruction. Excessive intake of fiber can also cause a
fluid imbalance, leading todehydration.Thisiswhy
people who start increasingtheir fiber intake are often
advisedtoalsoincreasetheirwaterintake.Excessive
intake of dietary fiber has been linked with reduced
absorption ofvitamins,minerals, proteins, and calories.
However, it is unlikely that healthy people who consume
fiber in amounts within the recommended ranges will
have problems with nutrient absorption.
Parents are urged to use caution when adding
extra fiber to their child’s diet. Excessive amounts of
high-fiber foods may cause a child to fill up quickly,
reducing appetite and possibly depriving the child of
needed nutrients from a well-balanced diet. Elderly
people and those who have had gastrointestinal sur-
gery should also exercise caution when increasing their
dietary fiber intake.Risks
Most people recover fully after treatment for
diverticular disease. If not treated however, diverticu-
litis can lead to the following serious conditions:
Intestinal perforation: The diverticula burst because
of increased pressure within the intestine.
Peritonitis: This is a serious infection of the abdomi-
nal cavity outside the intestine. It often occurs after
perforation, when the contents of the intestine are
leaked into the abdominal cavity.
Abscess formation: Sacs of infected intestinal mate-
rial and pus can form that are very difficult to cure.
Fistula formation: An abnormal connection between
the colon and another organ can form. This occurs
when the colon, damaged by infection, comes in
contact with other tissue, such as the bladder, the
small intestine, or the inside of the abdominal wall,
and sticks to it. Fecal material from the colon can
then get into the other tissue.
Blockage of the intestine: This can result from hard
fecal matter reaching out of diverticula.
Bleeding in the intestine: Stool that is trapped in a
diverticulum may cause bleeding.Diverticular disease diet