. . . tips for better health Easy Does It. Don't increase fiber intake too fast, or you'll get gas and bloating, even cramping and/or constipation. It's best to add about 5 grams a day for a week. So if you're starting at 10 grams a day, take 15 grams for a week before adding more. Keep going up 5 grams a day, a week at a time, until you reach your target amount. Even with gradual change, you may experience some transition symptoms. It takes a while for the bacteria in your gut to adjust to more fiber. Drink Plenty of Water. Make sure you get your 6-8 glasses a day, and drink a glass whenever you take a fiber supplement. Additional water will help optimize fiber's actions in the body and will prevent constipation. How Much Fiber? Aim for 35-40 grams a day; more if you're dealing with diabetes or trying to lose weight. There are roughly 3 grams of fiber (a mix of soluble and insoluble) in a typical piece of fruit; 4 in a cup of vegetables, and 7 in a half cup of beans. Juici…

. . . probiotics -- essential to good health If you haven't been particularly interested in the bugs in your tummy, this study should catch your attention. Scientists have been able to predict the likelihood of a heart attack in lab rats by studying types and levels of bacteria found in their intestines. In addition, certain probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus plantarum 299y, were also found to decrease the size of a heart attack and lead to better recovery. According to John E. Baker, PhD, who led the study, the "discovery is a revolutionary milestone in the prevention and treatment of heart attacks." The editor of the FASEB Journal, where the study was published, commented, "We may soon evaluate our body's susceptibility to disease by looking at the microbes that inhabit the gut." Antibiotics use has been a disaster for human health by decimating healthy intestinal bacteria. If you've ever taken an antibiotic, build up your good bugs with Beyond Health's Probiotic Form…

Life is hard enough without making losing weight more difficult than it needs to be.  Some helpful scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School proved that you don’t need to restrict calories or saturated fat to lose weight as long as you’re getting adequate dietary fiber! These scientists found 240 pre-diabetic patients and assigned them to one of two groups. The first group followed a weight-loss diet that restricted calories and saturated fat. The second group was simply asked to get at least 30 grams of fiber daily from a high-fiber diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Neither group was asked to change their exercise habits. At the end of one year, both groups had lost the same amount of weight.  In addition, both groups had had similar drops in cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and inflammation.  In other words, both groups reduced their risk factors similarly for diabetes…