Dietary Fibre NSP Non Starch olysaccharides Non Starch

Dietary Fibre (NSP) Non Starch olysaccharides

Non Starch Polysaccharides This is found in the cell walls of plants, this is not digested but remains in the large intestines before passing out a faeces

Sources 1. Wholegrain cereals e. g. Bran, wheat, oats, rice, wholemeal breads, breakfast cereals, wholegrain pasta, crisp breads 2. Fruits especially in the skin 3. Vegetables especially leafy vegetables celery and potato skin

Functions • Even though not digested NSP is very important as it absorbs water and binds other food residue to itself ensuring that the faeces are soft and bulky and passes easily out of the body in the minimum time.

Diseases associated with low Nsp intake 1. Constipation 2. Diverticular Disease 3. Haemorrhoids(piles) and Hernias

Peristalsis • Peristalsis is a series of wavelike muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract. . The strong wave-like motions of the smooth muscle in the oesophagus carry the food to the stomach, where it is churned into a liquid mixture called chime

Constipation • Constipation a condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened faeces. • Abdominal discomfort and a feeling of ill health normally occurs. Persons normally use laxatives that irate the intestines casing it to expel the facial matter quickly but this can lead to dependency which can eventually stop the natural process.

• Diverticular disease is the general name for a common condition that causes small bulges (diverticula) or sacs to form in the wall of the large intestine (colon). Although these sacs can form anywhere in the colon, they are most common in the sigmoid colon (part of the large intestine closest to the rectum). Recommended treatment high-fibre diet. Diverticular disease

• Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in your lower rectum. Internal haemorrhoids are usually painless, but tend to bleed. External haemorrhoids may cause pain. Haemorrhoids also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins. This occurs by the increased effort required to remove hard facial matter in constipation suffers. Haemorrhoids (piles) and hernias

Refined Foods Persons today do not consume enough fibre (NSP) and it is the main cause of intestinal disease and disorders one of those being bowel cancer. Most refined foods which are produced in factories the NSP content is removed These include 1. White flour white bread white sugar 2. Instant puddings and desserts 3. White rice 4. Instant potatoes These are normally blamed for low consumption of NSP because the are convenient ad inexpensive. Reducing the amount of refined food and increasing consumption of wholegrain cereals and breads, fruits and vegetables as well as increase exercise.

1. Use more wholegrain cereals e. g. wholemeal flour instead of white flour, wholegrain rice, wholemeal pasta. 2. Eat wholemeal bread or wholemeal bread instead of white bread. 3. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables 4. Choose breakfast cereals and snacks that are a rich source of fibre and low in sugar. 5. Add a little bran to soups and casseroles. 6. Make more use of pulses which are rich in fibre. How can we increase NSP in the diet

Review Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Why must the body remove waste ? What is peristalsis ? Why is NSP important to the body ? List the main sources of NSP Why is constipation undesirable ? What is diverticular disease ? How does refine foods affect the removal of waste product ? Why is the continued use of laxatives undesirable ?