Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Geriatric Gastroenterology

  • 2395 Accesses

Abstract

Dietary fiber (DF) was originally defined as the edible component of plants resistant to digestion and absorption by humans in the small intestine, with complete or partial fermentation in the large intestines. Current definition includes functional fiber sources: polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lignins, and associated substances. DF is water soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber includes cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignins while soluble fiber is categorized into gums, mucilages, pectins, and β-glucans. DF has a wide variety of physiological functions including the ability to retain water, form gel, increase viscosity, thereby increasing the bulk, exchange cations, form products of bacterial degradation in the large intestine and modulate immunity. Functions include decrease in glucose absorption and lipid lowering, weight reduction, possible prevention of colon cancer and polyps, and benefits in the prevention of constipation and diverticular disease. The current recommendation for intake of DF is 14 g per 1,000 kcal/day. The most frequent side effect encountered with a high fiber diet is poor acceptability and tolerance especially in the elderly. Side effects include gaseousness, bloating, diffuse abdominal pain, and diarrhea. A concern has also been raised about DF on the impairment of absorption of trace elements particularly in those with marginal intake of minerals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Burkitt DP, Walker ARP, Painter NS. Effect of dietary fiber on stools and transit times and its role in the causation of disease. Lancet. 1972;2:1408–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. US senate report: dietary goals for the United States. Report of the select committee on nutrition and human needs. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  3. AACC. The definition of dietary fiber. AACC report. CFW. 2001;46:112–26.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Raninen K, Lappi J, Mykkänen H, et al. Dietary fibers as immunoregulatory compounds in health and disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1190:70–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Arndt EA. Whole grain barley for today’s health and wellness needs. CFW Res. 2006;51:20–2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Pins JJ, Kaur H. A review of the effects of barley β-glucan on cardiovascular and diabetic risk. CFW Res. 2006;51:8–11.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wood PJ. Cereal β-glucan in diet and health. J Cereal Sci. 2007;46:230–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lazaridou A, Biliaderis CG. Molecular aspects of cereal β-glucan functionality: physical properties, technological applications and physiological effects. J Cereal Sci. 2007;46:101–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kim SY, Song HJ, Lee YY, et al. Biomedical issues of dietary fiber β-glucan. J Korean Med Sci. 2006;21:781–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Beck EJ, Tapsell LC, Batterham MJ, Tosh SM, Huang XF. Increases in peptide Y-Y levels following oat β-glucan ingestion are dose-dependent in overweight adults. Nutr Res. 2009;29:705–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Karhunen LJ, Juvonen KR, Huotari A, et al. Effect of protein, fat, carbohydrate and fibre on gastrointestinal peptide release in humans. Regul Pept. 2008;149:70–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Vitaglione P, Lumaga RB, Stanzione A, et al. Beta-glucan-enriched bread reduces energy intake and modifies plasma ghrelin and peptide YY concentrations in the short term. Appetite. 2009;53:338–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Lipids significantly reduced by diets containing barley in moderately hypercholestrolemic men. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23:55–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Comparison of hormone and glucose responses of overweight women to barley and oats. J Am Coll Nutr. 2005;24:182–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Keenan JM, Goulson M, Shamliyam T, et al. The effects of concentrated barley β-glucan on blood lipids in a population of hypercholestrolemic men and women. Br J Nutr. 2007;97:1162–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Li J, Kaneko T, Qin LQ, et al. Effects of barley intake on glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and bowel function in women. Nutrition. 2003;19:926–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans; 2010. Accessed 30 March 2011. www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/dietaryguidelines2010.pdf. Accessed 12 May 2012.

  18. Kupfahl C, Geginat G, Hof H. Lentinan has a stimulatory effect on innate and adaptive immunity against murine Listeria monocytogenes infection. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006;6:686–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wakshull E, Brunke-Reese D, Lindermuth J, et al. PGG-glucan, a soluble beta-(1,3)-glucan, enhances the oxidative burst response, microbicidal activity, and activates an NF-kappa B-like factor in human PMN: evidence for a glycosphingolipid beta-(1,3)-glucan receptor. Immunopharmacology. 1999;41:89–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Slavin J. Why whole grains are protective: biological mechanisms. Proc Nutr Soc. 2003;62:129–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Topping DL, Clifton PM. Short chain fatty acids and human colonic function: roles of resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharides. Physiol Rev. 2001;81:1031–64.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Roy CC, Kien CL, Bouthillier L, et al. Short- chain fatty acids: ready for prime time? Nutr Clin Pract. 2006;21:639–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Monro JA, Shaw M. Glycemic impact, glycemic glucose equivalents, glycemic index, and glycemic load: definitions, distinctions, and implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(1):237S–43.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Venn BJ, Green TJ. Glycemic index and glycemic load: measurement issues and their effect on diet-disease relationships. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61 Suppl 1:S122–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Blackwood AD, Salter J, Dettmar PW, et al. Dietary fibre, physicochemical properties and their relationship to health. J R Soc Promot Health. 2000;120:242–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Dikeman CL, Fahey GC. Viscosity as related to dietary fiber: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(8):649–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. de Vrese M, Schrezenmeir J. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2008;111:1–66.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Roberts CL, Keita AV, Duncan SH, et al. Translocation of Crohn’s disease Escherichia coli across M-cells. Contrasting effects of soluble plant fibers and emulsifiers. Gut. 2010;59:1331–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Anderson JW, Randles KM, Kendall CW, Jenkins DJ. Carbohydrate and fiber recommendations for individuals with diabetes: a quantitative assessment and meta-analysis of the evidence. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23:5–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Wright JD, Wang CY. Trends in intake of energy and macronutrients in adults from 1999–2000 through 2007–2008. NCHS Data Brief. 2010;1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Institute of Medicine of The National Academies Press, Food and Nutrition Board, 2009. Consensus study. Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Craig WJ, et al. Position paper of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109:1266–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Reyna NY, Cano C, Bermudez VJ, Medina MT, Souki AJ, Ambard M, et al. Sweeteners and beta-glucans improve metabolic and anthropometrics variables in well controlled type 2 diabetic patients. Am J Ther. 2003;10:438–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Jenkins AL, Jenkins DJ, Zdravkovic U, Wursch P, Vuksan V. Depression of the glycemic index by high levels of beta-glucan fiber in two functional foods tested in type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56:622–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Khossousi PS, Binns C, Dhaliwal S, et al. The effect of a fibre supplement compared to a healthy diet on body composition, lipids, glucose, insulin and other metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight and obese individuals. Br J Nutr. 2011;105:90–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Sturtzel B, Mikulits C, Gisinger C, Elmadfa I. Use of fiber instead of laxative treatment in a geriatric hospital to improve the wellbeing of seniors. J Nutr Health Aging. 2009;13(2):136–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Ravikoff JE, Korzenile JR. The role of fiber in diverticular disease. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011;45:S7–11.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Strutzel B, Dietrich A, Wagner K-H, et al. The status of vitamins B6, B12, folate, and of homocysteine in geriatric home residents receiving laxatives or dietary fiber. J Nutr Health Aging. 2010;3:219–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Christina CD, Ruth HK, Elizabeth AS, et al. Dietary fiber and colorectal cancer risk: a nested case control study using food diaries. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010;102:614–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. 2009. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 22. Accessed 5 April 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  41. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-fiber-diet/MY00744. Accessed 1 March 2011.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF (Clinical Professor of Medicine)

  2. New York Medical College, Vallhala, NY, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF (Adjunct Professor of Medicine)

  3. Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF (Chief)

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Fisseha Y. Ghidey MD, MPH

Authors
  1. C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. S. Pitchumoni MD, MPH, FRCP(C), MACP, MACG, AGAF
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Fisseha Y. Ghidey MD, MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fisseha Y. Ghidey MD, MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital, Department of Medicine, Saint Peter’s University, 254 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni

  2. (North Division), Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 600 East 233rd Street, Bronx, 10466, New York, USA

    T. S. Dharmarajan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pitchumoni, C.S., Pitchumoni, C.S., Pitchumoni, C.S., Ghidey, F.Y. (2012). Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease. In: Pitchumoni, C., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1622-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1623-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation