Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is the "remnants of plant cell walls that are resistant to digestion by the alimentary enzymes of man. It comprises various polysaccharides and lignins."[1]
Classification
Soluble fiber
Soluble fiber is viscous. It is in oats, oat ß-glucan, psyllium (ispaghula), barley, soybeans, dried beans and peas, and citrus.[2] Soluble fiber may affect cholesterol absorption more than insoluble fiber does.
Insoluble fiber
Insoluble fiber is not viscous. Insoluble fiber may bind water and thus reduces transit time in the colon. It is in whole wheat and many vegetables.[2]
Medical uses
Consuming dietary fiber, especially the bran, may reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2.[3]
Consuming dietary fiber may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, especially in men.[4][5] However, this association is not consistent and not confirmed.[6]
Consuming dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber with psyllium being better than bran[7], may treat irritable bowel syndrome[8], chronic constipation[9], and hypercholesterolemia[10].
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Dietary fiber (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nutrition Fact Sheet: Dietary Fiber, Nutrition, Feinberg School of Medicine.
- ↑ de Munter JS, Hu FB, Spiegelman D, Franz M, van Dam RM (August 2007). "Whole grain, bran, and germ intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study and systematic review". PLoS Med. 4 (8): e261. DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040261. PMID 17760498. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Nomura AM, Hankin JH, Henderson BE, et al (September 2007). "Dietary fiber and colorectal cancer risk: the multiethnic cohort study". Cancer Causes Control 18 (7): 753–64. DOI:10.1007/s10552-007-9018-4. PMID 17557210. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Jacobs ET, Lanza E, Alberts DS, et al (February 2006). "Fiber, sex, and colorectal adenoma: results of a pooled analysis". Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 83 (2): 343–9. PMID 16469993. [e]
- ↑ Park Y, Hunter DJ, Spiegelman D, et al (December 2005). "Dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer: a pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies". JAMA 294 (22): 2849–57. DOI:10.1001/jama.294.22.2849. PMID 16352792. Research Blogging.
- ↑ (2008) Brit Med J. PMID 19008265
- ↑ Mertz HR (November 2003). "Irritable bowel syndrome". N. Engl. J. Med. 349 (22): 2136–46. DOI:10.1056/NEJMra035579. PMID 14645642. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Lembo A, Camilleri M (October 2003). "Chronic constipation". N. Engl. J. Med. 349 (14): 1360–8. DOI:10.1056/NEJMra020995. PMID 14523145. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A (May 2005). "Diet and cholesterol reduction". Ann. Intern. Med. 142 (9): 793–5. PMID 15867412. [e]