title: Alginate as a source of dietary fiber.
abstract: Alginate, an algal polysaccharide, is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, or as a thickening or emulsifying agent. As an indigestible polysaccharide, alginate may also be viewed as a source of dietary fiber. Previous work has suggested that dietary fibres may protect against the onset and continuation of a number of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This article aims to examine what is currently understood about the fiber-like activities of alginate, particularly its effects on intestinal absorption and the colon, and therefore aims to gauge the potential use of alginate as a dietary supplement for the maintenance of normal health, or the alleviation of certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Cell & Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. i.a.brownlee@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Brownlee
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Dettmar
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Havler
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Atherton
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Onsøyen
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid