Fiber Flashcards
Explain the importance of soluble dietary fiber
Good for diarrhea Increases transit time Delays gastric emptying Increases satiety Higher hydration capacity Higher absorption capacity Decreases nutrient absorption** Higher fermentability Fruits, oats, barley and legumes contain more soluble fiber
Explain the importance of insoluble dietary fiber
Good for constipation Decrease transit time Increase fecal bulk Lower hydration capacity Vegetables & most grains contain more insoluble fiber
List some food sources of dietary fiber
Insoluble - vegetables and grains
Soluble - legumes, barley, oats and fruit
Discuss carbohydrates, fiber and blood glucose regulation
Soluble and fermentable fibers move food through intestines slower, therefore release sugar slower into blood to have a blood glucose regulating effect.
Discuss some therapeutic uses of fiber
Diarrhea - use soluble, fermentable fiber
Constipation - use insoluble nonfermentable fiber
Hypoglycemia - use soluble, fermentable fiber
Hypolipidemia - use soluble, fermentable fiber
During GI disease to help maintain bowel regularity - use insoluble, nonfermentable fiber
Fiber and cancer prevention/treatment?
Soluble fiber binds carcinogens and possible estrogens
Soluble and insoluble fiber dilute carcinogens
Insoluble fiber decreases transit time, decreasing time bowel wall is exposed to carcinogens
Soluble fiber provides fermentable substrates for colonial bacteria, decreasing interluminal pH
Lignans may have direct anticancer effect
beta-glucans stimulate the immune system
Larch Arabinogalactans may help prevent metastasis