Lipid utilization of human adults as affected by dietary bran supplementation

Abstract

Twenty-one adult men and women participated in two studies to compare the effects of selected brans on the utilization of dietary fat. Fecal fat excretion was measured as well as total weight of feces. Blood serumcholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids were determined. Results indicated that fecal fat excretion tended to increase with bran supplementation of diets. Wheat bran had a greater effect than did either rice or corn bran. No statistically significant changes in blood lipids were associated with the various types of fiber. However, serum lipids of subjects were substantially lower when subjects received the experimental diets than when they were consuming their self-selected diets prior to the start of the study. The experimental diet was moderately low in fat and very low in cholesterol. The effectiveness of added bran in influencing lipid utilization may vary with the kinds of bran employed and also with the total amount of dietary fat or other dietary parameters.