Fiber is one simple, natural and inexpensive weight loss solution that offers so much more than any wonder pill, fat reduction surgical procedure or exercise gadget ever could.
Aside from supporting healthy blood sugar levels and removing calories from foods we consume, fiber interacts with a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) and sets into action an amazing process that causes the body to be in weight loss mode.
CCK is produced in the small intestines. When you eat fiber, it in turn boosts and prolongs the elevation of CCK in the blood, the effect of which is that you feel full and do not feel any desire or need to eat for longer periods than usual.
This same hormone also stimulates the digestion of fat and protein. After it is secreted by the duodenum, one segment of the small intestine, it initiates the release of bile from the gall bladder as well as enzymes from the pancreas which are needed in digestion. CCK mediates other physiological processes as well. In a study done conducted by the University of California, Davis which was participated in by women, it was observed that those who ate a high-fiber meal released more CCK into their bloodstream than those who ate one that was low in fiber. The effect was the same with those who ate a high-fat meal against those who had a low-fat meal.
What is interesting is that those who ate the high-fat and high fiber meals experienced an even greater feeling of satiety. The reason for this is because the same hormone is released when fat is eaten. An example of this is the fullness you experience after eating a big juicy steak which has a lot of fat. In the study, the researchers attributed this phenomenon to the increased amounts of CCK in the bodies of the participants.
A study participated in by men yielded the same results. A high-fiber meal and a low-fiber meal were given in random order. The test meal and control meal both included eggs, bread, jelly, margarine, orange juice and milk. The high-fiber meal included white beans and the low-fiber had rice and dry milk. The participants' levels of CCK were measured before and after the meals. The results showed that the CCK level was two times as high after the high-fiber meal as after the low-fiber meal.
So, what is the practical application of all these findings about fiber? If you want to lose weight, eat more fiber-rich foods because fiber is a natural appetite suppressant. The food sources for fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. And as a bonus, you'll experience the other benefits that fiber offers most notably better digestive health.
Author Resource:-
Alonso Volcolatte is a health and weight loss researcher for http://www.readysetweightloss.com. He writes and researches actively on Quick Healthy Weight Loss and shares his knowledge at www.readysetweightloss.com where he works as a staff writer.
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