Dr. Tracy's Blog

I hope you were inspired by my last post to start incorporating more fiber into your diet. I was inspired enough to write another post to share more helpful tips. But first, a word of caution. Don’t just buy something because it has “fiber” in the name.   I do not want to specifically denounce any products on the shelves but if it says "fiber" but it’s drizzled with caramel, coated in chocolate, neon colored or something you would otherwise only think of eating on your birthday...it’s way too processed to be considered food! Do not eat it. What about products labeled as a “Good Source of Fiber” or “High Fiber”? Many cereals, bread products, granola bars and snacks use nutritional claims for marketing purpos es. For a product to claim it is a “good source of fiber” it must contain between 2.5 grams – 4.9 grams of fiber per serving and those labeled as “high fiber” must have at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. To put these numbers in perspective before you pa...

Most of us think of dietary fiber as a way to maintain regular bowel movements and may have heard about fiber’s possible role in preventing colon cancer but did you know you can balance your hormones using fiber? Fiber helps to regulate levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in multiple ways involving your digestive tract, liver, ovaries and blood circulation. Multiple symptoms and medical conditions are the result of hormone imbalances: PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness, mood changes, headaches and bloating are worse if you don’t have enough progesterone to offset estrogen. Acne and unwanted facial hair can be caused by too much testosterone in your system. Peri-menopause symptoms like heavier menstrual bleeding, shorter menstrual cycles and spotting between periods can be the result of an imbalance between estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Uterine fibroids and endometriosis can be made worse by too much estrogen. Your risk of breast, thyroid a...