Show what wh at to eat and why C houston goudiss discusses LAXATIVE FOODS nationally known Aut authority bority on food shows how right diet can help you to avoid 0 health hazards of faulty elimination by C HOUSTON GOUDISS 6 east street new york THOUSANDS of men women and children are alive today because we have learned how to prevent many types of infections and how to cure diseases which once caused un timely deaths we have reason to be proud of the achievements of science in fighting disease and lengthening the span of life but we should be ashamed of the fact that hundreds of thousand individuals divi duals are not getting the most out of life indeed they are not realizing hall half their potentialities because improper eating and faulty habits of hygiene cause them to suffer front from that g great eat evil of civilization constipation EVILS OF constipation someone has called constipation the most deadly disease and while this may seem like an extreme statement it becomes justifiable when one realizes the untold misery and wretchedness that may result when food residues remain to stagnate and putrefy in the body constipation muddies the complexion dulls the eye and befogs the brain it causes a general feeling of discomfort and fullness in the abdomen lack of appetite bad breath coated tongue a feeling of lassitude and a tendency to become easily fatigued by weakening resistance it opens the way to numberless diseases serious complications such as irritation of the appendix ma may occur as a result of the friction of hard masses of waste against the delicate walls of the intestine piles have frequently been laid at the door of faulty elimination do you wonder that I 1 consider prompt regular elimination the keystone of good health its importance is readily understood when you consider the processes by which food is digested and absorbed FATE OF FOOD IN THE BODY from the mouth food passes down the esophagus into the stomach where it is penetrated by the gastric juice it then passes into the small intestine where it is have you a question ask C houston goudiss C houston goudiss lias has put at the disposal ol of readers of this newspaper all the facilities ol of his famous experimental kitchen laboratory in new york city ile he will gladly answer questions concerning foods diet nutrition tri tion and their relation rela fion to health you are also invited to consult hirn him in matters of personal hygiene its not necessary to write a letter unless you desire for postcard inquiries will receive the same careful attention address him at 6 east street new york city mixed with the secretions of the liver and the pancreas here the nutritive elements are absorbed by minute hair like tubes which line the intestinal walls these tubes converge into the blood vessels and which transport nourishment to all parts of the body undigested residues pass into the large intestine or colon where they are normally moved along by a series of muscular contractions known as peristalsis and finally evacuated the amount of the evacuation varies in bulk with the amount of indigestible roughage contained in in the food when there is insufficient bulk to promote normal peristalsis aIsis waste accumulates and we have the condition known as constipation with all its resulting evils bacteria prey upon the stagnating material producing poisons which may be absorbed by the body there is not the slightest excuse for allowing this condition to develop for the misery and wretchedness of constipation may easily be avoided by including in the daily diet sufficient laxative foods that is those rich in fiber or cellulose k BULK OR FIBER ESSENTIAL because of their fibrous framework plant foods are our chief source of cellulose or bulk and therefore our greatest aid in promoting normal elimination vegetables and fruits a are re sworn foes of constipation and unrefined cereals are also extremely valuable A SOME LAXATIVE FOODS foods with an exceptionally high residue include raw fruits especially those with skins and seeds dried fruits as apricots prunes figs and raisins raw vegetables et such cooked vegetables as onions and leafy greens the legumes that is dried peas and beans whole grain cereals and bran among the vegetables dont overlook cabbage lettuce celery spinach brussels sprouts string beans and green peas foods which tend to form a little gas in the intestines including spinach onions and cauliflower are also useful stimulants to intestinal tes movement in addition to providing cellulose the acid fruits such as oranges lemons and grapefruit act as a mild stimulus to increased peristaltic motions NEED FOR VITAMIN B another important factor in promoting normal elimination is vitamin min B which has been shown to be essential for good muscular tone and activity of the digestive tract investigations with experimental animals have demonstrated that it requires twice as long to empty the large intestine when the diet is deficient in vitamin B yeast egg yolk milk whole grain cereals liver and green leafy vegetables are good sources of this vitamin i LIQUIDS ESSENTIAL A sufficient quantity of liquids is likewise necessary to prevent the contents of the lower intestine from becoming too hard for easy evacuation in addition to water the diet should therefore contain an abundance of milk fruit juices and other beverages acidophilus Acid ophilus milk and buttermilk are especially beneficial fats and oils used in moderation act as gentle lubricants REGULAR HABITS it is most important to eat at regular hours and to establish regular times for evacuation as this is a great aid to body rhythm guard carefully against overeating for this practice is a frequent cause of constipation when the digestive system is overworked none of its functions can be efficiently performed the homemaker is largely re for safeguarding her family against the dangers of faulty elimination for she has it in her power to plan meals that will help normal individuals to avoid the curse of constipation |