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