Good Fibers and Good Bugs

                                                                                 Photo courtesy of Supertrooper via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In our last post we looked at our new, even more powerful Beta Glucan Synbiotic formula. Good fibers and good bugs are two of the most important nutritional factors to regularly bring into our bodies. Let’s continue the discussion this week.

A high level of fiber intake has health-protective effects and disease-reversal benefits (Whitehead, 2014). Dietary fibers are known to protect against certain gastrointestinal diseases, constipation, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, diverticulitis, obesity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (Otles, 2014).

The Beta Glucan Formula is straightforward and powerfully demonstrates what good fibres and good bugs can do.

Our Beta Glucan Synbiotic is a beautiful formula. When we consider its fiber we have oat bran concentrated to high levels with soluble beta glucan fibers; we have organic whole red beet root and all its rich nutrients; and, we have organic inulin, the soluble fiber from chicory root.

Let’s take heart disease, the number one disease killer in the US, and see how the regular consumption of these fibers can reduce our risk. Whitehead et al. (2014) in their paper, Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat Beta-glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, concluded that there is robust evidence that consuming oats or oat-containing food products with at least 3 g of oat bran beta glucans reduces serum cholesterol in lean, overweight, or obese male and female adults without diabetes and those with type 2 diabetes. Importantly, the serum cholesterol reduced was the “bad” LDL cholesterol and not the “good” health producing HDL cholesterol.

Red beetroot is an excellent source of nitrate, and consuming high nitrate containing foods will lower blood pressure. Webb et al. (2008) in their study, Acute blood pressure lowering, vasoprotective, and antiplatelet properties of dietary nitrate via bioconversion to nitrite , used beetroot juice, measuring trial participants after 3 hours of drinking 500ml, and found that blood pressure was substantially reduced (-10.4/8 mm Hg). The dietary nitrate load also prevented endothelial dysfunction and significantly attenuated ex vivo platelet aggregation.

Red beetroot is also one of the very top vegetables for binding bile acid so it can be removed from the body, beating out collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper and cabbage. Bile acid binding capacity has been related to the cholesterol-lowering potential of foods. Lowered recirculation of bile acids results in utilization of cholesterol to synthesize bile acid and reduce fat absorption. (Kahlon et al. 2008)

• Webb et al. (2008). Acute blood pressure lowering, vasoprotective, and antiplatelet properties of dietary nitrate via bioconversion to nitrite. Hypertension; 51(3):784-90.
• Whitehead et al. (2014). Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat Beta glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr; 100(6):1413-1421.
• Otles S and Ozgoz S. (2014). Health Effects of Dietary Fiber. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment ; 13(2):191-202.
• Kahlon et al. (2008) Steam cooking significantly improves in vitro bile acid binding of collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper and cabbage. Nutrition Research; 28:351-357.

Clinical Notes:

Two tablespoons of the Beta Glucan Synbiotic supplies the amount of soluble beta glucan fibers daily that are recommended by the American Heart Association for heart health.

Green Facts:

From the Environmental Working Group to us all:

“Did you know that food production around the world occupies more land than any other human activity? So it should be a no-brainer that sustainability be part of a nation’s dietary guidelines. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t see it that way.”

“Later this year, the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plan to update dietary recommendations issued by the federal government every five years. And just last week a USDA spokesperson said that environmental impacts would play no part in shaping the new federal guidelines.”

Stand with EWG:  Click here to tell the USDA and the HHS that the environmental consequences of food production must be included in the dietary guidelines to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all Americans!