Mahaska Health Partnership Shares the Benefits of Fiber

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – You’ve probably heard ‘eat more fiber’ at some point, but do you know why it’s so important? Dietary fiber can help relieve constipation, maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of a variety of health complications. Mahaska Health Partnership shares ways to increase your fiber intake and how it can improve your overall health.

“Dietary fiber is most commonly found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains,” MHP General Surgeon Tim Breon, MD, FACS, said. “Fiber comes in two forms; soluble, which dissolves in water, or insoluble, which doesn’t. Each type has specific benefits, so including both in your diet is important.”

Dr. Breon explained that most plant-based foods contain both types of fiber, however, each type plays a different role in health and digestion. “Soluble fiber is found in products like oats, beans, peas, apples, carrots and citrus fruits like oranges. This fiber dissolves in water and creates a gel-like material that can help lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

“Insoluble fiber is found in whole-wheat items, nuts and vegetables like cauliflower and green beans. This type of fiber doesn’t dissolve in the body; it instead moves through your digestive system and increases the amount of stool in your intestines, helping promote regular bowel movements. For anyone struggling with constipation or irregular stools, this type of fiber is especially beneficial.”

So how much fiber do you need? According to the Institute of Medicine, for men age 50 and younger, 38 grams per day is recommended. For those 51 and older, aim for 30 grams. For women 50 or younger, 25 grams of fiber is recommended, and 21 grams is recommended for daily consumption starting at age 51.

While fiber is important for regular digestive health, it can have additional benefits too. “Fiber can also promote a healthy weight by making you feel full longer which helps prevent overeating,” Dr. Breon said. “It has also been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of stroke and diabetes. Although fiber is the key to keeping your colon healthy, it’s still important to maintain regular screenings.”

MHP is offering free colorectal cancer screening kits through the month of March. The kits can be completed in the privacy of your own home and mailed back to the MHP Laboratory for testing. Kits can be requested online at mahaskahealth.org, over the phone by calling 641.672.3116. Kits can also be picked up at one of the following locations: Entrances #1 or #4, on the Oskaloosa campus; New Sharon Medical Center and MHP Hospice Services-Sigourney location. Kits must be returned to the MHP campus no later than April 15.

General Surgeon Tim Breon, MD, FACS, is an experienced, Board Certified Surgeon specializing in traditional, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgical treatments. Dr. Breon commonly performs operations on the colon, small intestine, gallbladder, appendix, female reproductive system, breast and endocrine system. Dr. Breon grew up on a farm near Hedrick, Iowa. He chose to practice at MHP to ensure advanced surgical care, focused on the whole body, is available to all patients in need of routine or emergent intervention.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.