If you want to implement healthy actions today, to prevent problems down the road, then ensuring adequate fiber intake is a key strategy for future cardiovascular health.

The new study is based on a statistical analysis of data coming from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative sample of about 11,000 adults. It was presented March 23 at the American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism/Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Scientific Sessions 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

It confirms the findings of another recent fiber study showing that higher fiber intake reduced mortality risk by 22%², also showing a lower risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases by 24% to 56% in men and by 34% to 59% in women.

Our government's recommendation of 25 grams of fiber per day is the minimum – and most Americans only get ½ that. Fiber intake ranging from 30 grams up to 60 grams may be vital for health, especially if a person is overweight.