Partially hydrolyzed guar gum: clinical nutrition uses.
OBJECTIVE
This paper provides a review of research on partially hydrolyzed guar gum that is relevant to clinical nutrition practice.


METHODS
All relevant papers published on partially hydrolyzed guar gum were reviewed and the results summarized.


RESULTS
Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble dietary fiber with a wide range of uses in clinical nutrition. Its low viscosity allows its use in enteral products and beverages. PHGG can be added to enteral formulas and food products as a dietary fiber source. PHGG provides the benefits associated with dietary fiber ingestion. Addition of PHGG to the diet reduced laxative dependence in a nursing home population. PHGG also reduced the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition and reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. PHGG also increased production of Bifidobacterium in the gut.


CONCLUSIONS
The ease of use of PHGG and its clinical effectiveness make it a good choice in clinical nutrition practice.
Slavin
Joanne L
JL
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. jslavin@umn.edu
Greenberg
Norman A
NA
D001628:Beverages; D002400:Cathartics; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000517:prevention & control; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005285:Fermentation; D005526:Food, Formulated; D005685:Galactans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008351:Mannans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008903:Minerals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D053149:Plant Gums; D014783:Viscosity
D002400:Cathartics; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005685:Galactans; D008351:Mannans; D008903:Minerals; D053149:Plant Gums; C007894:guar gum