Fiber

Question 1

Explain the importance of soluble dietary fiber

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Explain the importance of insoluble dietary fiber

Answer 2

Good for constipation
Decrease transit time
Increase fecal bulk
Lower hydration capacity
Vegetables & most grains contain more insoluble fiber

Question 3

List some food sources of dietary fiber

Answer 3

Insoluble - vegetables and grains

Soluble - legumes, barley, oats and fruit

Question 4

Discuss carbohydrates, fiber and blood glucose regulation

Answer 4

Soluble and fermentable fibers move food through intestines slower, therefore release sugar slower into blood to have a blood glucose regulating effect.

Question 5

Discuss some therapeutic uses of fiber

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Fiber and cancer prevention/treatment?

Answer 6

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