Dietary Fibers and Antioxidants - Relevance for Formation and Prevention of Noninfectious Diseases Caused by Civilization

Author(s): Stampfli, K., Hässig, A.

Abstract: The main causes of death in the industrial society are arteriosclerosis and cancer Obviously this is also based on the fact that mankind was not able to adjust within few generations his evolutionally formed genetic heritage to today's condition of life and nutrion. After the advent of the industrial production of food, the energy content has been overemphasized. The value of food is expressed in calories of the main nutritional components protein, fat and carbohydrates. A lack of micro-nutrients, i.e. vitamins,-mineral and trace elements, which have no caloric value, leads diseased states. As soon as this connection has been recognized, research started elucidate the mode of action. Recently it was shown that complex vegetable groups of nutrients are essential constituents of food. Here especially the dietary fibers and antioxidative compounds play a central role in the prevention of diseases in Western civilization.

Keyword(s): Ernährungsgeschichte

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