Although dietary fiber has been shown to decrease the rate of heart disease and cancer, too much fiber can have adverse effects, according to Sheila Ashbrook, University of Illinois at Champaign nutrition specialist.

Ashbrook, an assistant professor in the foods and nutrition department at U of I, will be offering a free fiber research update at DeKalb’s Cooperative Extension Service County Office, 315 N. 6th St., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There is a direct relation between fiber and heart disease as well as cancer, Ashbrook said. High levels of cholesterol are a cause of heart disease, so research is being done to find the one type of fiber which will help lower the level in the blood, she said.

Fiber also can help control the passing of food through the colon, Ashbrook said. The right fiber can help foods which might contain cancerous cells pass through rapidly and help prevent colon cancer, she said.

Although high fiber food can be very healthy, too much fiber can be adverse, according to Ashbrook. She said she also will discuss these effects. Foods high in fiber are fruits, vegetables and whole grains, she said, adding, “White flour and white rice are refined grains so they do not contain as much fiber,” she said.

Ashbrook said the update will be given once a month through April and will “cover research that’s been done in the last year or two.” he said most of the research deals with examining the functions of different types of fiber, rather than fiber as a whole. “It’s a worthwhile update,” she said.

Jo Ann Skabo, extension service adviser, said anyone can attend and participants can register as late as the morning of the lecture. She said the conference room holds about 15 people, but there is still plenty of space available.

Skabo said Ashbrook’s speech will be broadcast through the TeleNet system so people do not have to go to the Champaign campus to receive the information. Through this system, the audience may also ask questions, Skabo said.

There will be visuals such as slides, a lesson plan and materials and photographs of Ashbrook, Skabo said. This will give listeners a better idea of what is being discussed and what the speaker looks like, she said.

According to Skabo, members of the American Dietetic Association and Dietary Members Association are required to attend educational programs in order to retain their credibility. She said Ashbrook’s fiber update will fulfill two of the required hours.

The Cooperative Extension Service, sponsors of the event, is the result of legislation which helps the research findings of one state university reach the public, Skabo said. U of I receives a land grant which enables the research to be conducted.

Skabo said all of the teaching is based on research and is done through self-studies, educational programs and newspaper and radio work.

Ashbrook, who does research and helps develop education programs, said she has been with the extension service for 5 uu years.

She said she is getting used to being alone with a microphone while she speaks, but it used to be difficult. “It’s a matter of getting used to talking without an audience,” she said.