Guar Gum
Guar gum is a galactomannan, which is a polysaccharide composed of the sugars galactose and mannose. This common food additive comes from the Guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonobulus), which is similar to soy. This plant grows mainly in India and Pakstan, but also to a small extent in Texas and Oklahoma in the U.S. (nearly ceased due to low prices from India). It is used as a vegetable food and for livestock feed for thousands of years. The guar bean is also known as the cluster bean.
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Diverticulitis, Diverticulosis, and Dietary Fiber
Diverticulitis is a medical condition in which there is inflammation of diverticula. The suffix, -itis, means inflammation. But what are diverticula (plural)? A diverticulum (singular) is a small, marble-shaped pouch which projects outward from the wall of the intestine. A diverticulum can develop anywhere in the gastro-intestinal tract, which includes the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. But diverticula occur most often in the colon, which comprises the majority of the large intestine.
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Effects of Dietary Fiber and Its Components on Metabolic Health
Dietary fiber and whole grains contain a unique blend of bioactive components including resistant starches, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. As a result, research regarding their potential health benefits has received considerable attention in the last several decades. Epidemiological and clinical studies demonstrate that intake of dietary fiber and whole grain is inversely related to obesity, type two diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Defining dietary fiber is a divergent process and is dependent on both nutrition and analytical concepts. The most common and accepted definition is based on nutritional physiology. Generally speaking, dietary fiber is the edible parts of plants, or similar carbohydrates, that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Dietary fiber can be separated into many different fractions. Recent research has begun to isolate these components and determine if increasing their levels in a diet is beneficial to human health. These fractions include arabinoxylan, inulin, pectin, bran, cellulose, ß-glucan and resistant starch. The study of these components may give us a better understanding of how and why dietary fiber may decrease the risk for certain diseases. The mechanisms behind the reported effects of dietary fiber on metabolic health are not well established. It is speculated to be a result of changes in intestinal viscosity, nutrient absorption, rate of passage, production of short chain fatty acids and production of gut hormones. Given the inconsistencies reported between studies this review will examine the most up to date data concerning dietary fiber and its effects on metabolic health.
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Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis, defined simply as the presence in the large intestine (colon) of small saccular outpouchings, termed diverticula, is extremely common in “developed” countries and increases dramatically with age (Image 1 below). It affects approximately 5% of the population under 45 years of age and increases to almost 80% in those older than age 85 (1). Diverticula develop most commonly in the descending (“left-sided”) and sigmoid colon, however, there is geographic variability. In Asia and Africa, the ascending (“right-sided”) colon is more commonly involved, but the overall rate is much lower, at approximately 0.2%. Despite the prevalence of diverticulosis, about 70% of all people remain asymptomatic throughout their lifetime; 5-15% develop complications of diverticular bleeding, and 15-25% develop diverticulitis and associated complications.
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Is 'Added Fiber' As Beneficial As The Fiber Naturally Found In Foods?
By Joanna Dolgoff
Many people believe that 'added fiber' has the same health benefits as the fiber naturally found in foods. Marketing campaigns certainly seem to indicate so. Ever since fiber became the new nutritional savior, companies are adding it to just about everything, even water! Consumers are unaware that this added fiber does not have all the benefits of natural fiber.
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