Stephen B. Strum, M.D.
Practice of Internal Medicine,
Medical Oncology & Hematology
September 1994

RECOMMENDATIONS: VITAMINS, MINERALS & TRACE ELEMENTS

Part 3

     Increase the fiber in your diet as much as
possible.  When doing so you speed the transit
through the intestine and decrease the tendency
towards constipation.  You also decrease your chances
for getting colon cancer.  High fiber in your diet
also lowers serum cholesterol.  Fiber is filling and
low in calories.  Patients with diabetes eating large
amounts of fiber can lower or eliminate their need
for insulin.  Fruits and vegetable and cereals are
high in fiber.  Their are commercially available
fiber bars as well as psyllium seed products and bran
wafers. I would suggest taking 6 to 10 grams of
dietary fiber in the form of bran wafers mixed with
apple sauce.  Drink plenty of water when on a high
fiber diet and supplement your diet with calcium,
zinc and iron.  Substances called phytates in the
fiber will bind with these elements and possibly
create a deficiency unless supplements are taken.  

     Salt should be minimized in your diet.  Foods
high in salt are frequently high in nitrosamines
which by themselves cause cancer. Salted, smoked and
pickled foods are not advised. Therefore avoid bacon
and sausage and ham.  These are also high in fat.  
High salt intake in many individuals leads to water
retention and the need for diuretics ("water pills")
and potassium supplements.  Salt is dangerous for
people with hypertension. Instead of salt use a salt
substitute that is rich in potassium rather than in
sodium.  Cosalt, light salt and other salt
substitutes are available in your market. Their
labels should indicate their contents to be potassium
chloride.  Only patients with kidney disease need to
be concerned about potassium excess in their diets.  
Potassium recently has been shown to have a {*filter*}
pressure lowering effect.  Low potassium resulting
from diuretics taken without supplementation results
in weakness and lethargy.  In patients with heart
disease, low potassium can cause disturbances in
heart rhythm.

Stephen B. Strum, M.D.

Continued in Part 4

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