Growing Indoors for Maximum Health

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet.  Fiber is cellulose (the cell wall that surrounds all plant cells).  It cannot be gotten from any animal products like meat, cheese or dairy. Fiber acts to clean out the colon which means less intestinal problems, and a lower risk of colon cancer.  Fiber from fruits and vegetables can lower blood cholesterol too.  I have seen people use powdered bran or other grainy substance to supplement their fiber intake.  Some forms of bran contain a substance that inhibits the uptake of iron in humans.  Vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron, since it is readily found in meat, meat eaters do not often have to worry about iron intake.  Diets high in meat have been linked with gout, obesity, high cholesterol et cetera.   High iron intake in men has been linked with prostate cancer, so as with plants you do not want too much or too little of any nutrient.

Some plants that have high fiber are, beans and peas, carrots, potatoes, spinach, corn oats, wheat and fruit.

Spinach is very easy to grow indoors.  I have a friend who grows carrots for his children under an LED.  The kids like the carrots, especially since he grows them in a translucent container and the kids can watch the carrot tap root develop a little more each day.  Many varieties of bush beans could also be grown indoors.  potato's are another indoor option for someone looking for healthy foods to grow.

If anyone grows other crops indoors that are high in fiber, let me know and I will be happy to add the plants to the list above, it is not all inclusive by any means.

Good growing

Dr. E.R. Myers