Cancer Diet - The Role of Fibre
This article in the series on Cancer Diet explores the
importance of fibre.
Fibre's role in the body is to assist in the timely expulsion of
waste matter from the bowel. If this waste matter stays put for
too long, the body starts to reabsorb the antigens and toxins
from the bowel bacteria through the gut wall.
One of the easiest ways to tell if you are getting enough fibre
is to inspect your stools. Sounds most unsavoury, I know, but
all you need to do is see whether they float or sink in the
toilet. If they are floating you are getting enough fibre, if
they sink you are not.
The reason a good cancer diet will address the need for good
elimination is that as the body fights the cancer it produces
even more waste matter. This puts a very heavy load on the
elimination systems. If the bowels are clogged up as well, then
the body struggles under a highly toxic load. This in turn takes
much needed resources away from healing functions. Of course, if
the patient is also having chemotherapy treatment, good
elimination is even more crucial.
In a well managed cancer diet, there will already be a good
proportion of raw foods, particularly fruits and vegetables.
These raw foods are one of the best sources of natural dietary
fibre.
Other much touted remedies such as psyllium husks can be very
helpful, but it is preferable to get your fibre directly from
your foods, which also contain other elements such as enzymes
that help digestion.
Water is also absolutely critical for good bowel function,
assisting in the flushing of the bulk material and the toxins
that accumulate there. Absolutely no point in upping the fibre
content then depriving the body of water so that it all becomes
a big plug!
Many medications can cause constipation so be on the lookout for
this side effect when starting any new ones. Also high levels of
calcium and low thyroid hormones can play havoc, so if you
continue having constipation after increasing your fibre and
water content, make a beeline for your doctor. Constipation has
far too many negative side-effects to allow it to continue too
long.
Just a quick PS - every cancer diet should include pears, as
they are full of fibre, water and highly nutritious to boot. If
you are constipated, a full ripe pear on an empty stomach first
thing in the morning followed by a glass of water has a very
good chance of doing the trick!