Dietary fibers have previously been shown to affect laxation and satiety. Due to differences in structure and physical properties of dietary fibers, these effects may not be consistent across all fibers. Therefore as new dietary fibers are created or discovered the laxative and satiating effects should be investigated in order to verify these effects.
This study was designed to test the laxative effects of two fibers a resistant starch made from corn and a glucose polymer fiber. The secondary aim of this study was to examine the satieting effects of these fibers. This trial was double-blind and placebo controlled. On the first day of the study subjects consumed the breakfast cereal and milk and were instructed to complete visual analog scales periodically to test acute satiety. Subjects also completed diet records and tolerance questionnaires on days 1,2, and 10. Additionally subjects completed another satiety survey on day 10 to test chronic satiety. Whole gut transit time, fecal weight, and fecal chemistry was tested by swallowing radioopaque pellets on day 6 and collecting every fecal sample for the 5 days thereafter.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
36
20 grams of fiber per day split into two 10 gram doses administered as a breakfast cereal and a muffin or no-fiber breakfast cereal and muffin
20 grams of fiber per day split into two 10 gram doses administered as a breakfast cereal and a muffin or no-fiber breakfast cereal and muffin
low fiber breakfast cereal and muffin
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Whole gut transit time determined by radio-opaque pellets
Determine whole gut transit time by x-raying fecal samples after swallowing radio-opaque pellets
Time frame: 5 day fecal collection
Satiety
Measure hunger, fullness, satisfaction, and prospective food consumption using a 100 mm line
Time frame: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 minutes postprandially
Breath Hydrogen concentration after consumption of test cereal
Subjects expel air into a storage bag, which is then injected into a gas chromatograph and determine the hydrogen concentration. Hydrogen gas is an indicator of fermentation in the large intestine.
Time frame: 0 and 240 minutes postprandially
Ad libitum food intake
24 hour food diary
Time frame: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 10 days after the start of treatment
Gastrointestinal Tolerance
Rank severity of flatuence, bloating, abdominal cramps, stomach noises, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation on a 10 point scale.
Time frame: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 10 days after the start of the treatment
Fecal chemistry
Determination of fecal pH and short-chain fatty acid concentration
Time frame: 6-10 days after the start of treatments
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