BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ Did you know that one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more can be found on a plate? “Food is fuel. Food is nutrition. Food fights everything,” says Frank W. Jackson, M.D. “Unfortunately, food can go either way; fighting for good health or a lifetime of disease.” This March, which is the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month, is the perfect time to look at the foods we eat—and don’t eat—each day, and how every bite affects our bellies, booties and beyond. National Nutrition Month—A Brief History The first National Nutrition Month was launched in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) and focused on the theme of “Invest in Yourself—Buy Nutrition.” Over the years, the messaging and campaign became more sophisticated as researchers uncovered more and more data connecting food, nutrition and wellness. This year, the campaign focuses on encouraging Americans to eat right, but to do it their way, understanding that we all have different needs, preferences and family histories that go into our food choices, both good and bad. “Among the biggest food mistakes nearly every American continues to make, however, involves our ever-decreasing daily allotment of fiber,” says Jackson. “There has been an exponential decline of fiber in Western diets over the past 100 years, at the exact same time that every single GI-related disease has danger- ously escalated.” National Nutrition Month reminds us about the benefits of healthy eating Fabulous Fiber Findings 48 Go Gilbert! • march 2013 GO FEEL GOOD! | BODY, MIND AND SOUL Frank W. Jackson, m.D. Fiber and Disease There is a direct connection to our lack of fiber intake and nearly every disease—from cancer to heart attack to diabetes— whether it is GI-related or not. “Aside from family history and smoking, what we put into our bodies is the most critical factor on whether someone gets cancer—or not,” says Murali Murty, M.D., of the Arizona Center for Cancer Care. “When bad bacteria outnumber the good, polyps form, tumors grow, and cancer develops.” And bad bacteria’s best friend? Sugar. According to Murty, nearly 20% of the total calories in American diets comes from added sugar via soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, desserts, fruit drinks, ice cream and other candies. Murty says other diseases linked to lack of fiber and excessive sugar include: Heart disease • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Colon gas and flatulence • Diverticulosis • Crohn’s disease • Ulcerative colitis • Constipation • Diarrhea • Rectal bleeding • Hemorrhoids • Anal fissures, fistulas and abscesses • Fiber and You According to Jackson, there are many types of fiber that have been discovered in plants, including various types of starches, lignins, cellulose and others. These were of interest to plant