Health
Not all fiber is created equal — doctors share which kinds truly support longevity
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Fiber is known to be a crucial part of a healthy diet, promoting fullness and gut health.
As trends like “fibermaxxing” make high-fiber eating more popular, understanding the best sources is increasingly important for individual health, according to nutritionists.
Longevity expert Peter Attia, a Stanford University physician based in Austin, Texas, spoke about how fiber aligns with a healthier lifestyle in a sneak peek of his newest “Ask Me Anything” episode of “The Peter Attia Drive” podcast.
KIWI COULD HELP EASE A VERY COMMON DIGESTIVE CONDITION — HERE’S HOW
People who engage in a beneficial habit, such as eating a high-fiber diet, tend to do “many other healthy things,” according to the doctor.
“They might be exercising more, they’re much less likely to smoke, they’re probably getting more sleep,” he said. “You are very likely to be capturing other healthy habits when you’re trying to simply measure one thing.”
As trends like “fibermaxxing” make high-fiber eating more popular, understanding the best sources of fiber is increasingly important for individual health, according to nutritionists. (iStock)
For this reason, it can be difficult to “disentangle” fiber’s specific effects, Attia said, since people who eat more fiber also tend to consume other beneficial plant nutrients and make generally healthier lifestyle choices.
Different types of fiber
Different types of fiber are known to function differently in the body, according to Attia.
“There are lots of things that are classified as fiber, [and] a wide range of physical properties that a particular fiber might have, but these different properties produce different effects on the body,” he said.
“Some fibers provide primarily microbiome support because they’re actually fermented by gut microbiomes. Some fibers can improve blood sugar … and others simply bulk up stool.”
SCIENTISTS CRACK CODE ON HOW DIETARY FIBER SHIELDS YOUR BODY FROM HARMFUL SUGAR DAMAGE
Soluble fiber dissolves in water, while insoluble fiber does not — and each type plays a different role in digestion.
Insoluble fiber includes vegetables, the skin of fruits, whole grains and bran, according to Attia. It will remain “largely intact” as it moves through the digestive system, adding stool bulk, reducing constipation and supporting regular bowel movements.
Insoluble fibers are not fermented by gut bacteria, but they stimulate the gut lining to release water and mucus, which “dilutes toxins in the colon” and speeds up “intestinal transit,” the doctor said.
Vegetables typically contain more fiber than other options, according to the doctor. (iStock)
Most soluble, or viscous, fiber can absorb water and create a gel in the gut, which can lead to slower gastric emptying, reduce blood sugar spikes and potentially lower cholesterol levels, according to Attia.
Some examples of soluble fiber include pectin (found in fruits), beta-glucan (found in whole oats) and psyllium husk, which is a plant most often consumed as a supplement.
POPULAR ‘FIBERMAXXING’DIET TREND NOT RIGHT FOR EVERYONE, SAYS NUTRITIONIST
Some soluble fibers belong to a subgroup called fermentable, or prebiotic, fibers. These fibers are broken down by gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) — compounds such as butyrate that help support gut health, regulate pH, improve metabolism and reduce inflammation, according to various studies.
“My mantra is ‘baby steps’ whenever I introduce fiber … a little at a time goes a long way.”
Fermentable fibers are found in foods like beans, pectin and inulin, as well as in prebiotic sources such as onions, garlic, asparagus and chicory root. They’re also present in certain resistant starches, including green bananas, legumes, and cooked, starchy foods like potatoes, rice and pasta.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Resistant starches, while fermentable, are not soluble, Attia noted. They are categorized into several types:
- RS1: Found in whole grains, seeds and legumes
- RS2: Found in raw potato starch, unripe bananas and maize (corn) starch (commonly used in fiber supplements)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
In most diets, a mix of fiber types is consumed. Plant-based foods — especially those with skins, along with oats, beans and legumes — tend to be the richest sources, Attia shared.
Beans don’t contain any single comitant fiber, but are high in fiber overall, said Attia. (iStock)
Benefits of high-fiber diets
Some key benefits of a high-fiber diet include satiety and weight management, glycemic control, cardiovascular health and colorectal cancer prevention, Attia said.
Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist in New York, shared with Fox News Digital in a previous interview that increasing fiber intake can be “quite beneficial.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Everything from gastrointestinal health to cardiovascular health, weight management, prevention of diabetes and certain cancers, to feeling fuller throughout the day and minimizing cravings for sugars and starches, are all major benefits of fiber intake,” she said.
“Not all fibers do the same things, and they don’t all do them equally well,” the doctor said. (iStock)
As health is individualized, DeCicco warned that those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions could experience complications by introducing too much fiber at once.
“If your system is not used to fiber, and you start to overload, you can easily become bloated, get cramps and have constipation,” she said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
It’s “easier on the stomach” to spread it out, since fiber can bulk up in the stomach and cause a back-up, according to DeCicco.
“This is why it’s especially important to incorporate fiber slowly,” she said. “My mantra is ‘baby steps’ whenever I introduce fiber to any client. A little at a time goes a long way toward long-term health.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Comedian Amy Schumer, 44, has recently come clean about her struggle with Cushing’s syndrome, leading to a dramatic weight loss.
Schumer’s transformation has sparked conversation online, to which she responded in a now-deleted Instagram post that shut down speculation about cosmetic enhancements.
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” she emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler.
AMY SCHUMER DROPPED 50 POUNDS TO BATTLE DISEASE THAT ‘CAN KILL YOU’ IF UNTREATED
Schumer doubled down that her weight loss was not about her appearance, but about staying alive.
“Not to look hot, which does feel fun and temporary,” she said. “I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”
Amy Schumer attends Variety’s 2024 Power of Women: New York event on May 2, 2024, in New York City on the left. On the right, Schumer later poses for a photo posted to Instagram after her weight loss. (Marleen Moise/WireImage; Amy Schumer/Instagram)
“Sorry for whatever feeling it’s giving you that I lost that weight,” she added. “I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro]. Sorry to anyone they let down. I’m pain free. I can [play] tag with my son.”
ON A GLP-1? HOW TO SURVIVE HOLIDAY MEALS WITHOUT DERAILING YOUR PROGRESS
The actress also addressed her shifting hormones, saying that she’s “happy to share more if anyone has any questions about how I’m looking or feeling or where I am in my perimenopause process.”
“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” Schumer emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler. (Amy Schumer/Instagram)
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Schumer previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause extreme swelling, fatigue and potentially fatal complications.
Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist in New Jersey, provided more details on the condition in an interview with Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged, high exposure to cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone,” he said. “Usually, the excess cortisol is a result of prolonged steroid use. We see this many times with patients who have some autoimmune disorder.”
Balazs said the “key” to Cushing’s syndrome is not just weight gain, but a “specific redistribution” of fat caused by too much cortisol.
Amy Schumer is photographed during a guest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Feb. 13, 2024 (left), and later seen walking through midtown New York City on Oct. 28, 2025 (right). (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)
Fat may be driven to the abdomen, chest, upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”) or face, sometimes considered “moon face,” the doctor said.
Cortisol also breaks down protein, which leads to a thinning in the arms and legs. “Weight gain can be tough, involuntary and hard to manage,” Balazs added.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Cortisol stimulates “hunger centers” in the brain, raises blood sugar and promotes fat storage, especially deep belly fat, according to the doctor.
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.
In addition to weight gain in certain areas, other symptoms may include pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms, as well as acne, slow wound healing, and thin, frail skin that bruises easily.
With Cushing’s syndrome, fat may accumulate in the abdomen, chest, face or upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”). (iStock)
Women with Cushing’s syndrome often experience thick, dark hair on the face and body, as well as irregular periods. Symptoms among men can include a lower sex drive, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction.
Mayo Clinic listed other potential symptoms, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble with concentration and memory, headache, sleeplessness, skin darkening and stunted growth in children.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Those with symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they are taking steroids to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as these medications can exacerbate the condition.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that the “sooner treatment starts, the better the chances for recovery.”
“I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro],” Schumer stated in a social media post. (George Frey/Bloomberg)
For patients like Schumer, weight loss is typically not the main goal, Balazs noted, but it is a “critical sign” of successful treatment.
“The primary goal is to normalize your high cortisol levels,” he said. “I believe Amy Schumer got treated first for her underlying problem. Once the cortisol is normalized, which is the most important step, there’s a role to use adjunct medications to decrease weight.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Among GLP-1s, Mounjaro is an “excellent choice to decrease deep belly fat and increase insulin sensitivity of cells,” Balazs added.
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.
Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s rep requesting comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
VIRAL OUTBREAK — Measles surge leads to hundreds quarantined in U.S. county, officials say
SNOOZE AND LOSE — Popular sleep positions could be damaging your nerves, according to experts
The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed that 254 people are currently in quarantine in the upstate region. (iStock)
MUSCLE MATTERS — A new Ozempic-alternative diabetes pill burns fat without loss of body mass
50 POUNDS DOWN — “Effortless” weight loss was sparked by 3 simple habits, says “Top Model” winner
SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
BEAUTY BEWARE — Cosmetic fillers can cause deadly complication, experts warn
‘AGING BACKWARDS’ — Simon Cowell touts controversial blood-rinsing procedure
Simon Cowell reveals he’s “aging backwards” with a controversial blood filtering treatment that removes and cleanses his blood before returning it to his body. (Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)
MEMORY THREAT — Alzheimer’s risk could rise with common condition affecting millions
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH NEWS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT — Scientists reveal the one practice that could prevent dementia as you age
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Eight energy drinks per day may lead to serious health consequences, recent research suggests.
A relatively healthy man in his 50s suffered a stroke from the overconsumption of unnamed energy beverages, according to a scientific paper published in the journal BMJ Case Reports by doctors at Nottingham University Hospitals in the U.K.
The unnamed man was described as “normally fit and well,” but was experiencing left-side weakness, numbness and ataxia, also known as poor coordination or unsteady walking.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
When the man sought medical attention, it was confirmed via MRI that he had suffered an ischemic thalamic stroke, the report stated.
The patient’s blood pressure was high upon admission to the hospital, was lowered during treatment and then rose again after discharge, even though he was taking five medications.
The 50-year-old man (not pictured) admitted to drinking eight energy drinks per day. (iStock)
The man revealed that he consumed eight cans of energy drink per day, each containing 160 mg of caffeine. His caffeine consumption had not been recorded upon admission to the hospital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Once the man stopped drinking caffeine, his blood pressure normalized, and he was taken off antihypertensive medications.
High caffeine content can raise blood pressure “substantially,” a doctor confirmed. (iStock)
Based on this case, the authors raised the potential risks associated with energy drinks, especially regarding stroke and cardiovascular disease.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
They also highlighted the importance of “targeted questioning in clinical practice and greater public awareness.”
The authors say this case draws attention to the potential dangers of over-consuming energy drinks. (iStock)
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel reacted to the case study in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“This case report illustrates the high risk associated with a large volume of energy drink consumption, especially because of the high caffeine content, which can raise your blood pressure substantially,” said Siegel, who was not involved in the study.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“In this case, the large amount of caffeine appears to have led directly to very high blood pressure and a thalamic stroke, which is likely a result of that soaring blood pressure.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the case study authors and various energy drink brands for comment.
What to know about Cushing’s syndrome, which led to Amy Schumer’s dramatic weight loss
Navy tops Army with late touchdown as Trump’s attendance in Baltimore sparks protests
Fake Windows update pushes malware in new ClickFix attack
Some big water agencies in farming areas get water for free. Critics say that needs to end
Abraham Quintanilla, father of late Tejano singer Selena, dies at 86
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
EU dismisses Russia’s lawsuit against Euroclear as ‘speculative’
Multiple people shot near Brown University, police say
Inside Minnesota’s $1B fraud: fake offices, phony firms and a scandal hiding in plain sight
Residents emerge in DR Congo’s tense Uvira after M23 rebel takeover
What to know about Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from immigration custody
-
Alaska1 week agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas1 week agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Washington4 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa6 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL7 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH6 days agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World6 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
