Abstract
The intestinal microflora of humans forms a complex ecosystem that may vary with dietary intake. A randomized controlled trial with cross-over design was carried out to study the effects of two metabolic diets containing predominantly either soluble or insoluble dietary fibers on human intestinal microflora. Fecal microflora were not significantly different between the soluble and insoluble fiber group. Mean fecal mass was significantly higher with two weeks' intake of the metabolic diets. Fecal pH dropped significantly to 6.42 at week 15. Fecal aerobes were significantly lower at week 15 compared with either week 0 or 2. Fecal anaerobes and bifidobacteria counts increased significantly in week 2 but returned to their baseline levels at week 15. The logarithmic ratio of anaerobes to aerobes increased significantly from 2.08 at the baseline to 2.40 in week 15. These results showed that the intestinal microflora can be altered with intake of dietary fiber with 2 weeks of fiber intake. The drop in fecal pH at week 15 indicated that fermentation activity of the microflora may be enhanced without a detectable change in the composition of the microflora itself.
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