Effect of a balanced mixture of dietary fibers on gastric emptying, intestinal transit and body weight.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary fibers are frequently included in diets to decrease body weight, but their scarce palatability and the occurrence of meteorism prevent a long-term intake. The aim of this study was to test a mixture of dietary fibers expressly chosen to decrease their negative properties and strengthen their positive effects.


METHODS
In a series of 10 patients with a slight overweight, the effectiveness of a palatable dietary fibers mixture on gastric emptying and intestinal transit was tested with scintigraphic methods. Then, the effects on body weight and digestive sensations and characteristics of defecations, were evaluated for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
The intestinal transit was significantly shortened by the fiber intake, while the gastric emptying was delayed, but not significantly. The body mass index significantly and progressively decreased, whereas the sense of satiation significantly increased. No effect on abdominal bloating was referred, whereas a significant increase in number of defecations with stools of normal consistency was observed. The acceptability of the fiber mixture was good.


CONCLUSIONS
The present research demonstrated that it is possible to prepare a palatable mixture of dietary fibers that maintains the property of decreasing body weight, favors the sense of satiation and accelerates the intestinal transit, with normalization of the stool consistency without the occurrence of meteorism.
Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. bormau@tin.it
Mauro
M
Bortolotti
Maurizio
M
Levorato
Andrea
A
Lugli
Giosuè
G
Mazzero
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss