Dietary fiber

Dietary fiber is plant-derived material that is resistant to digestion by human alimentary enzymes. Fiber may be divided into two broad chemical classes: 1) non-alpha-glucan polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins) and 2) lignins. Dietary fiber behaves within the gastrointestinal tra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of lipid research 1982-02, Vol.23 (2), p.221-242
Main Author: Kay, R M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adsorption
Animals
Arteriosclerosis - prevention & control
Bile Acids and Salts - metabolism
Body Water - metabolism
Cecum - microbiology
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry
Cholelithiasis - diet therapy
Colon - microbiology
Constipation - diet therapy
Dietary Fiber - analysis
Dietary Fiber - pharmacology
Dietary Fiber - therapeutic use
Diverticulitis - diet therapy
Gastrointestinal Motility - drug effects
Glucose - metabolism
Humans
Intestinal Absorption
Lignin - analysis
Lipid Metabolism
Polysaccharides - analysis
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Summary:Dietary fiber is plant-derived material that is resistant to digestion by human alimentary enzymes. Fiber may be divided into two broad chemical classes: 1) non-alpha-glucan polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins) and 2) lignins. Dietary fiber behaves within the gastrointestinal tract as a polymer matrix with variable physicochemical properties including susceptibility to bacterial fermentation, water-holding capacity, cation-exchange, and adsorptive functions. These properties determine physiological actions of fiber and are dependent on the physical and chemical composition of the fiber. Fiber undergoes compositional changes as a consequence of bacterial enzymatic action in the colon. Dietary fiber is of clinical significance in certain disorders of colonic function and in glucose and lipid metabolism. Dietary fiber increases stool bulk by acting as a vehicle for fecal water and by increasing fecal bacterial volume. Use of fiber in the treatment of constipation and uncomplicated diverticular disease is well established. By increasing stool bulk, fiber also reduces the fecal concentration of bile acids and other substances. Certain types of fiber decrease the rate of glucose absorption and attenuate postprandial rises in blood glucose and insulin. Plasma cholesterol levels are reduced by mucilaginous forms of fiber. This effect appears to be mediated in part by an increase in fecal acidic sterol excretion.
ISSN:0022-2275
DOI:10.1016/S0022-2275(20)38151-7