Best Article Health Care

The best cure for constipation may be the humble apple. The main reason for this is that apples contain a large amount of pectin. In fact, crisp, ripe apples contain more pectin than any other fruit. Pectins are complex fibers found in the cell walls of all plants, as well as in the spaces between the cell walls. The apple’s crispness is actually thanks to the large amount of pectin in its composition.

Pectin is a type of dietary fiber, which is something apples are rich in. Per every 100 g. of weight, apples contain 2.7 g. of dietary fiber. This is how British doctor Hugh Trowell defined this dietary ingredient often extolled for its healthfulness:

“That portion of the food which is derived from cellular walls of plants which is digested very poorly by human beings”

Because dietary fiber is difficult to digest, it adds bulk to the stool. Fruits and vegetables are well-known sources of fiber. They typically contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, though depending on the type of fruit or vegetable and the degree of ripeness, the ratio of soluble to insoluble fiber varies.

As you may have guessed from the name, soluble fiber is water soluble. Soluble fiber rich foods include legumes, oat bran, vegetables, and fruit. Soluble fibers are more easily broken down by the bacteria in the large intestine than are insoluble fibers, but it still passes through the intestine more or less intact. Due to its solubility, it will form a gel when mixed with liquid, which is not true of insoluble fiber.

Pectin is a soluble fiber. It is also well-known cooking ingredient commonly used as a natural thickening for jams and jellies and also as a stabilizer. In fact, the reason that fruit jams become jams when heated instead of just boiling away is thanks to the presence of pectin.

Because pectin is both a fiber and a binding agent it is effective in forming easily passed stools. Add to that the fact that apples also contain insoluble fiber and it becomes clear why apples are one of the best things to eat to get the bowels moving.

And that’s not all. Researchers at Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Toyama, Japan found that apple pectin significantly reduced the incidence of colon cancer in laboratory rats. Interestingly, this was in contrast to citrus pectin, which was not found to be an effective preventive against colon cancer. Apple pectin is also recommended for colitis sufferers as it tends to increase acidity in the large intestine.

Actually, apple pectin provides a whole laundry list of other health benefits that are outside the scope of this article. Because this is an article about the laxative and bulk forming properties of apples, I’ve restricted myself to only mentioning the ways in which apple pectin benefits the digestive tract.

At any rate, it seems safe to say that the old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, is not just an old wives’ tale. Apples provide many health benefits, not the least of which is that of keeping you regular.

A lot of Westerners don’t realize they’re deficient in omega 3 fatty acids. This can be very dangerous because these nutrients protect your heart and your brain health.

In fact omega3 health is one of the primary keys to longevity.

Studies show, people who get plenty of these essential fatty acids live long and healthy lives. They have lower rates of heart disease, feel happier and look younger.

Look at the Japanese for instance, they have low rates of heart disease.

In the United States this is the #1 killer in adults. The Japanese also look younger longer and report higher rates of overall happiness. Some studies have linked this with their high levels of omega3 health.

A Harvard study found diet deficient in these nutrients were linked to the premature deaths of between 63,000 and 97,000 Americans a year.

These nutrients are essential to your health and the typical Western diet doesn’t come near to giving you the fatty acids you need. Processed foods don’t have them. Fried foods don’t have them.

So, what should you be eating? Spinach, walnuts and olive oil have high amounts of omega3 fatty acids. So do fish. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish 2-3 times a week.

Salmon, sardines, tuna and hoki are all good sources of these nutrients. See, fish have around 30% of the fatty acids you need.

Studies show these nutrients reduce inflammation. Doctors have linked inflammation with virtually every disease including allergies and Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation indicates your body’s immune system is out of whack. Omega 3’s can help to bring it back into alignment.

They’re also known to keep your arteries clear which reduces your risk of heart disease or heart attack.

If you’re concerned about pollution in the fish you have a point. Some fish has been found to have high levels of mercury and even PCB’s. Look for cold water fish from pure waters like the Pacific or the Southern Ocean. Atlantic fish tend to be more polluted because of the heavy traffic.

Or you don’t like fish, you might consider fish oil supplements.

Fish oil supplements are convenient and they can be purified. Quality fish oil pills will have undergone a molecular distillation process. Many doctors recommend them for their omega3 health benefits.

If you’re interested in learning more about your omega3 health, please visit my website, where I share what products I have personally been using daily for several years.