Welcome to this week’s Midlife Minute episode.Today’s podcast kicks off a three-part series exploring the fiber gap in midlife.Although fiber is neither glamorous nor trendy, and not particularly exciting, it is one of the most powerful tools we have to support our metabolism, gut health, and hormones in midlife.Stay tuned for more!IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Fiber is critical for women in perimenopause and menopause! How the insufficient fiber intake of the average American may be increasing the prevalence of colorectal cancer in younger individuals How fiber affects gut motility, blood sugar stability, cholesterol levels, and satiety Why fiber is not only for digestion but also for metabolic and hormonal regulation How fiber supports our gut health How fiber can help in reducing factors associated with increased autoimmune risk Some common misconceptions about fiber debunked Practical tips for improving your fiber consumptionConnect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow  Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause Supplement LineDownload Cynthia’s 10 Fiber-Rich Carbohydrates that Support Midlife Metabolism List HERE.Research LinksRelation of dietary fat and fiber to elevation of C-reactive proteinCholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysisThe effect of fiber on satiety and food intake: a systematic reviewThe emergence of the metabolic syndrome with menopauseThe effect of dietary fat and fiber on serum estrogen concentrations in premenopausal women under controlled dietary conditionsFrom Dietary Fiber to Host Physiology: Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Bacterial MetabolitesThe Impact of Dietary Fiber on Gut Microbiota in Host Health and DiseaseDietary fiber and body weight