Fiber - ??

[Kamalakar]

Are there any types of fiber in human diet which have harmful
effects ? Are there any good and bad fibers like cholesterol ?

Kam

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[markd]

Some non-soluble fiber might abrade the intestines because
they aren't broken down enough. In general water soluble fiber
has several good effects, some even produce substances when
digested by bacteria that aid in health in the gut.

>Are there any types of fiber in human diet which have
>harmful effects ? Are there any good and bad fibers like
>cholesterol ?
>
>Kam
>
>
>--
>Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

[Mikev]

"Kamalakar Pasupuleti" <p_kamalakar@hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:a247ef62d0de49c30ceacd858ee4d267.67313@mygate.ma-
ilgate.org...
> Are there any types of fiber in human diet which have
> harmful effects ? Are there any good and bad fibers like
> cholesterol ?
>
> Kam
>
>
> --
> Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

As I understand it fiber is simply a form of carbohydrate from
plant structures, and which humans are not equipped to digest,
but may influence our digestive processes by virtue of its
bulk or consistency. Having said that, some sources such as
fruit skins may have other more useful molecules attached
which are of benefit. These are said to be often of a
protective character, such as resveratrol in red grape skins,
which protects the grape against fungus invasion. Finally I
understand there are some nutrients which are made accessible
to human only by bacterial processes in the large intestine.
Fiber types are usually described as soluble or insoluble.
Soluble is not strictly a correct description, but indicates
that the carb has an affinity for water and produces a gel
like consistency. These seem to have different effects on
bowel motility and absorbtion. I have not personally heard of
any with harmful effects although I have heard that a few food
plants can be poisonous if improperly processed.

MikeV