Author
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BLISS, DONNA - UNIV OF MINNESOTA |
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Jung, Hans Joachim |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2003 Publication Date: 9/1/2004 Citation: Bliss, D.Z., Jung, H.G. 2004. Non-nutritive supplements: dietary fiber. In: Rolandelli, R.H., Bankhead, R., Boullata, J.I., Compher, C.W., editors. Clinical Nutrition: Enteral and Tube Feeding. 4th edition. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders. p. 155-171. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: It can be argued that dietary fiber is not an essential nutrient; however, research has shown that inclusion of greater amounts of dietary fiber in typical Western diets offers health benefits. There are no classical deficiency symptoms, as observed for inadequate intake of a vitamin or mineral, associated with consumption of minimal amounts of dietary fiber. Plant cell walls provide the bulk of dietary fiber in human diets. These cell walls are complex chemical structures composed of polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin), lignin, and several minor constituents such as proteins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and cutin. While fiber has been referred to as a non-nutritive dietary ingredient because humans do not secret the enzymes needed for cell wall polysaccharide digestion, the bacterial population in the human colon does degrade and ferment plant cell walls. This fermentation produces short chain fatty acids that have important effects on colon function and health, and a substantial portion of these short chain fatty acids are absorbed and metabolized to yield energy for bodily functions. This chapter explains the composition of dietary fiber and short chain fatty acids on physiological health of the gut, and reviews clinical studies related to the therapeutic use of dietary fiber and short chain fatty acids. |
