The consumption of oat bran fiber also has a significant bulking effect in humans. However, besides fecal bulk, dietary fiber can promote gut health in other ways. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oat bran (rich in oat beta-glucan) supplementation on bowel function and appetite.
The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study it involves a total of 8 visits with a 14 day run-in period for total study duration of 84 days. A washout period of 2 weeks will occur in between the 2, 28 day treatment periods. The effects of an oat bran beverage for breakfast on bowel function will be tested after 2 week and 4 weeks of intake.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
11 g oat bran containing 3.1 gram oat beta-glucan
11 g of Maltodextrin
Whole gut transit time
Whole gut transit time is the time required for the passage of 80% of radio-opaque markers (ROM) which are detected by x-ray in the fecal samples collected over the next 5 days after swallowing the ROM.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Whole gut transit time
Whole gut transit time is the time required for the passage of 80% of radio-opaque markers (ROM) which are detected by x-ray in the fecal samples collected over the next 5 days after swallowing the ROM.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Stool frequency
using a bowel movement diary
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal output
Fecal out is the weight of the fecal samples collected over the 5 days preceding the 2 week and 4 week time point
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Percent fecal moisture
Fecal moisture is determined by freeze drying fecal samples and calculating the percent moisture in the fecal sample
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Bristol Stool Score
using Bristol Stool Chart
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal pH
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Subjective measures of bowel comfort
Gastrointestinal Quality of life questionnaires (GIQLI)
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
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Gut microbiota
Using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing techniques
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal short chain fatty acids
Using gas chromatography
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal total bile acids
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal enzymes
fecal beta-glucoronidase
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Fecal ammonia
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Intestinal gas production
using breath hydrogen production
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Appetite
Appetite will be measured via visual analogue score (VAS)
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks
Ad libitum energy intake
Ad libitum energy intake is measured by serving the subject an excess of food
Time frame: 2 weeks and 4 weeks