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Grains are simply the seed-bearing fruit from grasses. Whole grains are more nutritious than refined grains because they contain all three parts of the grain which includes the bran, the endosperm and the germ. The bran composes the outer layer of the seed and it is high in many minerals including iron, riboflavin, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, thiamine and zinc. Most of the fiber of the seed is contained in the bran.

Barley is a grain that is rich in beta glutens which is a form of fiber that is very effective at decreasing the risk of heart disease by decreasing the low density lipoprotein in the arteries. This is sometimes referred to as LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. The best form of barley to eat is the hulled, waxy forms that are readily available in health food stores and some grocery stores. When purchasing barley always look for the word “unpearled” on the packaging as this means that is both unprocessed and also very high in its fiber content. Be aware that fiber in any form beneficial in lowering blood pressure levels.

When choosing bran cereal always buy one that is high in wheat bran content. No other form of insoluble fiber is better at making the stools function properly as well as fighting cancer. It is believed by researchers that the quicker toxins are able to move through the bowels and be eliminated the lower a risk an individual has of developing colorectal cancer. Choose a bran cereal that is able to provide you with five grams of fiber in each serving or more.

Oats act like a sponge in the body, soaking up cholesterol and therefore, decreasing the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Oats are a form of soluble fiber. Consuming at least three grams per day of oats is believed to lessen bad cholesterol by 5.6 percent in a matter of six weeks. The more oats you eat the lower will your LDL cholesterol be.

Whole wheat bread and whole wheat flour contains vitamin B6 and magnesium and the fiber content in it is triple that found in white bread and whole flour products. Vitamin B6 is particularly relevant as individual ages because it works to keep the immune system as strong as it can possibly be. Do not just consume whole wheat bread but let whole wheat extend to pastas and baked goods as well.

Wheat germ is full of a tremendous amount of nutrients and is excellent to sprinkle atop breakfast cereal or porridge to get the day off to a good start. Wheat germ can also be sprinkled over yogurt, soaps, casseroles and a variety of other recipes as it has kind of a bland flavor that does not make it work well alone. Consuming merely a quarter cup of wheat germ supplies a person with all of the B vitamins, as well as iron, zinc, magnesium and five grams of fiber. Wheat germ is also rich in chromium, manganese and vitamin E.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Food Cures.

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Tags: barley, bran, cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, oats, vitamin b6, wheat bran, wheat germ, whole grains, whole wheat

Constipation is an uncomfortable yet common condition that is not fun for anyone, but unfortunately can be a part of life. Constipation is often the result of a lack of fiber and roughage in the diet. To improve this problem simply take a close look at what you are eating on a regular basis and resolve to make fiber more a part of your daily eating routine.

Bran is one of the best foods to prevent constipation, and in particular rice bran. Bran needs water to work properly and vice versa so drink as much fluid as possible. You should aim for at least six to eight glasses of water on a daily basis. It is recommended that you do not bombard your digestive system with a tremendous amount of fiber right away but start adding a little bit of it gradually each day. The body needs time to adjust to the addition of fiber to the system, especially when you are not inclined to consume much at all. Fluid needs to accompany fiber because the fiber is likely to absorb a great deal and the fluid will then in turn be able to “bulk up” the bran that is being eaten.

Why this works so effectively at combating constipation is that bran has rough edges and it is these rough edges that serve to stimulate the nerve endings in the bowel to start working to eliminate waste and in particular to increase the work of the colon. Bran is also beneficial to increase the amount of bulk that makes up the stools.

Not everyone is aware of this and researchers have no idea why it works but hot coffee, whether it be decaffeinated or regular helps to treat constipation. If you are constipated uncommon awakening drink six ounces but make sure you do so on an empty stomach so drink the coffee before you eat your breakfast. The good aspect of this remedy is that it yields almost immediate results. It is surmised that it is a chemical that is found in the coffee that makes it work like a charm, however it is not believed to be caffeine that makes it work so well. For reasons that have researchers baffled, the coffee for constipation cure works more effectively for women than it does men.

Prunes and prune juice have long been used as a treatment for constipation. The amount that is required to help a person tends to vary with the individual situation. The worse your constipation is, the more prunes or prune juice you will need to consume. It is unclear why prunes are effective when it comes to relieving constipation. Some researchers believe it is the fiber that is found in the prunes why others attribute it to the extremely high levels of sorbitol found in them. For those who are not familiar with sorbitol, it is an indigestible sugar alcohol.

Take the time to do your research over the Internet or at the public library to find other possible treatments for constipation if it is an issue for you.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Food Cures.

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Tags: bran, coffee, constipation, Fiber, Food Cures, prunes