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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276912
Title: Chronic dietary fiber supplementation with wheat dextrin does not inhibit calcium and magnesium absorption in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Author
item ARMAS, L - Creighton University
item RAFFERTY, K - Creighton University
item HOSPATTANKAR, A - Novartis
item ABRAMS, S - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item HEANEY, R - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Journal of International Medical Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2011
Publication Date: 10/1/2011
Citation: Armas, L.A., Rafferty, K., Hospattankar, A., Abrams, S.A., Heaney, R.P. 2011. Chronic dietary fiber supplementation with wheat dextrin does not inhibit calcium and magnesium absorption in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Journal of International Medical Research. 39(5):1824-1833.

Interpretive Summary: We conducted a placebo-controlled study to determine whether the intake of wheat dextrin fiber would affect calcium and magnesium absorption. Using radioactive calcium and stable magnesium tracers we did not find any evidence for an inhibition of absorption of either calcium or magnesium by wheat dextrin. This indicates that concern about the effects of these fibers on dietary mineral absorption should be minimal. This study is important as it relates to the utilization of minerals for healthy individuals and can be a model for young individuals.

Technical Abstract: This placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover clinical study examined the effect of chronic wheat dextrin intake on calcium and magnesium absorption. Forty premenopausal and post menopausal women (mean +/- SD age 49.9 +/- 9.8 years)consumed wheat dextrin or placebo (15 g/day) for 2 weeks prior to 45calcium (45Ca) and 26magnesium (26Mg) absorption testing. After a standardized breakfast, serial blood and urine samples were obtained. The mean +/- SD area under the curve from 0 to 9 h for 45Ca specific activity was 0.81 +/- 0.21 for wheat dextrin and 0.82 +/- 0.22 for placebo, showing that wheat dextrin had no effect on calcium absorption. The mean +/- SD percentage excess of 26Mg/24Mg was 7.8% +/- 2.1% for wheat dextrin and 7.9% +/- 2.6% for placebo, showing that wheat dextrin had no effect on magnesium absorption. In conclusion, chronic wheat dextrin consumption did not inhibit calcium or magnesium absorption from the gastrointestinal tract in women.