A novel source of wheat fiber and protein: effects on fecal bulk and serum lipids.
BACKGROUND
Wheat fiber is a laxative and wheat protein may affect blood lipids.


OBJECTIVE
We therefore tested the effects on laxation and serum lipid metabolism of a novel source of wheat fiber and protein produced by the amylolytic digestion of starch from wheat.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy men and women consumed 3 different test cereals in random order, each for 2 wk. The test supplement and the positive control, American Association of Cereal Chemists wheat bran supplement, both provided the same amount of fiber (21 g/d) and the negative control supplement provided 1.7 g fiber/d.


RESULTS
The test supplement and the positive control supplement increased fecal bulk similarly (239.5+/-19 and 216.7+/-19 g/d, respectively) and significantly more than did the negative control supplement (165.6+/-16 g/d, P < 0.010). Compared with the negative and positive control supplements, the week 2 value of the test supplement for the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol was significantly reduced (P = 0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the product of amylolytic digestion of starch from wheat flakes, which is high in wheat fiber and protein, has a fecal bulking effect similar to that of wheat bran and may have a beneficial effect on serum lipids.
Vuksan
V
V
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, St Michael's Hospital, Ontario, Canada. v.vuksan@utoronto.ca
Jenkins
D J
DJ
Vidgen
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Ransom
T P
TP
Ng
M K
MK
Culhane
C T
CT
O'Connor
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D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005243:Feces; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014908:Triticum