Fiber to Chew On

Eating a diet high in fiber is great because it passes through your body largely undigested, acting as a powerful tool to regulate digestion, stabilize blood sugar, protect the heart, and promote development of beneficial gut bacteria..... but much more occurs as well.

In class I often “big voice” about the value of both LOTS of fiber and LOTS of water in a person’s diet.  For both fiber and water, I discuss how each can help to reduce the development of cancer….. specifical for fiber….. colon cancer, and specifically for water….. bladder cancer.  I explain these reductions occur primarily through the “dilution” effect…. meaning:

1. Our digestive system, as nutrients are absorbed, ends up concentrating indigestible food wastes for future elimination.  This means that various herbicides, pesticides, and food preservatives that can be carcinogens in foods we eat,  will be at their highest concentration if not absorbed into the bloodstream….. in the fecal matter forming in the colon.  By eating significant fiber, you dilute the concentrations of these carcinogens (by creating more overall fecal matter) and lower the potential for inducement of colon cancer.

2. Our urinary system, as cellular wastes are collected, ends up concentrating these cellular wastes for future expression as urine.  This means that various herbicides, pesticides, and food preservatives that can be carcinogens in the foods we eat, will be at their highest concentration when absorbed into the bloodstream…. In the urine collecting in the urinary bladder.  By drinking significant water, you dilute the concentrations of these carcinogens (by creating more volume of urine) and lower the potential for inducement of bladder cancer.

I was talking with my friend from Mass who introduced me to the Retiree’s Cigar Group…. after Mass last week….and he was saying a lot of the folks were wondering where I have been.  I reminded him that unfortunately during May-June, I have NO ability to get to the shoppe on Thursdays….. not even LATE.  I told him jokingly that during this time, I have been heading over on Wednesday “just to stay in practice” so I  do not forget what to do.  He laughed and then asked when I have been going.  I told him I usually get there around 2.  He said he was going to try to come on Wednesday then (in addition to Thursday, of course) so we could talk.  That made me feel nice.  So, perhaps when I go later today, hopefully he will have been able to make it.  

Other Mass news of a sort….remembering that my wife and I are NEWBIES at our current parish….. we transitioned to this parish only after our prior parish (the one we attended for decades) was shut down as part of several in a Diocese restructuring due to the ongoing priest shortage. 

Well….for good or bad…. I have heard rumors that my name was submitted by a number of folks to be considered to be on this year’s election of some new positions in Parish Council.  If the rumors are true, I am pleased to apparently be perceived positively during my brief time at this new parish so far…..and I am also pleased to think that at least some folks think I would do a good job.   However, I am undecided at the moment on whether to accept and/or run for a position….. IF the rumors are true…. And I am offered the opportunity.  I had been on the Parish Council on my prior Parish for at least a dozen years… and was the Head of the Parish Council (I should say, head Layperson) for several of those years. So, I will have to wait and see if I do get asked and then debate more on if I should.  

Enough rambling for today, I guess.

PipeTobacco