Twenty-two adult male subject were randomly assigned to four complete liquid diets at four different fiber levels; one without added soy polysaccharide fiber which served as a control. All subjects were rotated. through four, eleven day controlled feeding periods. Complete fecal samples were collected and composited from the last five days of each eleven day period for fiber analysis. Fasting blood samples were taken on the morning prior to starting each new dietary period for plasma total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) analyses, Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was determined by calculation. Increased mean dietary fiber intake led to a significant (P<.05) increase in fecal fiber from 0.4 g per day to 2.9 g per day. Mean apparent fiber digestibility significantly (P<.05) decreased from 92% on the control diet to 70% on the intermediate fiber diet. There was a nonsignificant increase in apparent fiber digestibility from the intermediate fiber diet (70%) to the high fiber diet (76%). When subjects went from self-selected diets to the zero-cholesterol, liquid formula diets, significant (P<.05) decreases were seen in plasma TC (from 164 mg/dl to a range of 129 to 136 mg/dl), LDL-C (from 108 mg/dl to a range of 81-85 mg/dl), TG (from 85 mg/dl to a range of 64 to 72 mg/dl), TC/HDL-C ratios (from 4.6 to an average of 3.8), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios (from 2.9 to an average of 2.4). HDL-C levels did not change from the self-selected diet to the zero-cholesterol liquid formula diets (from 38 mg/dl to a range of 35 to 38 mg/dl). The addition of 20, 30, and 40 g of soy polysaccharide a fiber to the low residue control diet did not result in any further changes in plasma TC (131 mg/dl versus 129 mg/dl, 136 mg/dl, and 132 mg/dl respectively), TG (72 mg/dl versus 64 mg/dl, 69 mg/dl, and 72 mg/dl, respectively), HDL-C (36 mg/dl versus 35 mg/dl, 38 mg/dl and 37 mg/dl respectively), LDL-C (81 mg/dl versus 81 mg/dl, 85 mg/dl, and 82 mg/dl, respectively), TC/HDL-C ratios (3.8 versus 3.9, 3.8, and 3.8, respectively), and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios (2.4 versus 2.5, 2.4, and 2.3, respectively). At the end of the study when subjects went back to self-selected diets plasma TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C all significantly (P<.05) increased. / Master of Science

Mineral binding capacity of rice bran, oat hull, soy bran, wheat bran, peanut, apple, tomato, and barley fiber were investigated. Defatted fibers were analyzed for ash, protein, acid detergent fiber, and lignin. The fibers were washed with 1% HCl and Acid washed samples were studied for their mineral binding ability. The minerals tested were zinc, copper, and magnesium. Analysis of acid washed samples showed that most of the original minerals had been stripped from the fiber. In most of the fibers studied, the order of binding was copper > zinc > magnesium. Among the eight fibers studied, oat hull and apple fiber had the lowest consistent binding capacity for the three minerals investigated. This in vitro binding study has been run to duplicate intestinal condition of pH 6.8.

Whole fruits, grains and vegetables contain thousands of potential disease-fighting, healthpromoting nutrients. These foods play a critical role in bowel function, especially in the elderly. Strong epidemiological evidence has shown that greater amounts of crude dietary fibre are associated with a lesser prevalence of constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders. Constipation usually presents as a variety of symptoms, including reduced frequency of defaecation and impacted forms of stools and/or increased effort required to defaecate. Constipation is a problem that could affect any person at any time in his or her life, but in the elderly is more prevalent.Although anecdotal reports and dietary advice have suggested the use of kiwifruit as a laxative in humans, there are, at present no data available to support this. Kiwifruit is reported as the most nutrient-rich of the top 27 fruits eaten in the world today. The laxative property of kiwifruit could provide a natural remedy for constipation and would be cheaper than the laxatives on the market.Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate if kiwifruit can act as a laxative, especially in elderly people.Study Design and Methods: This study was carried out in two stages, as a pilot and then a main study. In the pilot study, 71 participants (aged 18 - 50y) were divided into Group I and Group II. Group I made no changes to their normal diet for a six weeks period, while Group II were asked to add one kiwifruit for every 30kg body weight per day to their diet for a six week period. After the six weeks, the two experimental groups crossed over, maintaining the dietary regime followed by the other group for a further six weeks. So each subject was his or her own control. Daily recording of the frequency and characteristics of the stool were made by the participants in a diary. In the main study, 42 participants (aged 60 years and over) carried out the same dietary regime as the pilot study subjects. Elderly subjects of Group I made no changes to their diet, but was asked to record their daily frequency and characteristics of their stool for 3weeks. Group II subjects ate one kiwifruit for every 30kg body weight per day for a period of 3weeks. After the three weeks period, the two groups crossed over.Results: It was found from the pilot study that kiwifruit consumption was associated with significant softening of the stool (P<0.001); a significant increase in bulking of the stool (P=0.034) and the ease of bowel movement was improved (P<0.001). For the main study, kiwifruit consumption also showed softening of the stool (P<0.001) and the ease of bowel movement was improved (P<0.001), there was a slight but significant increase in bowel frequency (P=0.012) and the bulking of stool (P=0.002).Conclusion: The results from this study provide evidence that consumption of kiwifruit enhances laxation and that bowel function can be improved through changes in diet, both for younger and elderly people.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of different types and levels of dietary fiber on Heligmosomoides polygrus (Nematoda) in laboratory mice. BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to one of seven diets: no fiber, cellulose (5%, 10%, 20%), and pectin (5%, 10%, 20) and infected with H. polygyrus one week later. The length of intestine increased significantly with the concentration of pectin and was associated with longer villi, thicker mucosa and increased villus/crypt ratio. In contrast, changing concentration of cellulose had minimal effects on the gastrointestinal tract. More day 5 larvae were found in mice fed 20% pectin, but neither type nor level of dietary fiber affected worm survival or spatial distribution. An increase from 5% to 10% pectin increased per capita egg production both in vivo and in vitro, but a further increase to 20% pectin decreased per capita egg production in vivo to the low level seen in mice fed no fiber. However when the parasites from mice fed 20% pectin diet were cultured in vitro, they released very high numbers of eggs. Changing concentration of cellulose had no effect on parasite egg production in vivo or in vitro. Our study supports the hypothesis that pectin promotes the establishment and reproduction of Heligmosomoides polygyrus, and that this is closely related to the changes in gut morphology. Therefore we conclude that cellulose, not pectin, should be used to balance reduced content of macronutrients in studies on malnutrition and nematode infection.

Thesis (MAppSc--Applied Science)--Auckland University of Technology, 2003. / Also held in print (100 leaves, 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection. (T 613.28 PAT).

Thesis (M.S.) in Food Science and Human Nutrition--University of Maine, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-55).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.