Scott Anderson, Ph.D.

Fiber may be the most important macronutrient in the human diet. While the popular media is obsessed with carbohydrates and protein, one of the most important nutrients is largely forgotten. Fiber is far more than just pooping - fiber is the primary nutrient for our healthy microbiota. Today's lunch was fibrous. Fiber feeds healthy gut microbes. And since a healthy gut is associated with healthy mind and body, fiber is among the most important of all "health foods." Unfortunately, the nutritional conversations tend to fixate on protein consumption and reducing carbs, and fiber is often relegated to gerontology conversations. The emerging research on the microbiotica underscores the importance of fiber in a healthy diet. It's estimated that 97% of Americans do not get their Recommended Daily Allowance of fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic , women should try to eat at least 21 - 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should aim to eat 30 - 38 grams of fiber each day. Wit...

Prioritizing feeding the gut microbiota has yielded unexpectedly positive results. Both Collette and I have noticed improvements in our skin, sleep, work capacity and focus, to name just a few of the benefits.  And interestingly, these improvements continued for several weeks... until we hit speed bumps. Big, square-edged speed bumps! Last week I had the first stomach bug that I can remember. Since childhood? Without sliding into the realm of TMI, I awoke one night to an unexpected surprise, and then spent the next few days fending off waves of nausea, fatigue and a low-grade fever. At first I chalked it up to an uninvited food-borne pathogen, but after 24-hours extended into a couple days, that seemed less likely. I then pinned the blame on the norovirus that's been running roughshod through the University of Wisconsin - Madison community. Certainly I had been exposed, though it sounds like norovirus generally runs its course within just a few days. Or could it have been a symptom...