Oligofructose Provides Laxation for Irregularity Associated with Low Fiber Intake.

Randal Buddington,Cavita Kapadia,Franka Neumer,Stephan Theis

doi:10.3390/nu9121372

Abstract

Inadequate dietary fiber intake contributes to the prevalent irregularity and constipation in Western countries. Although eating adequate amounts of fibers from fiber-rich foods, foods with added fibers and dietary fiber supplements is considered the first option for improving laxation, the efficacy can vary among types of fibers. The present study is a randomized control trial that included healthy adult participants with ≤3 bowel movements/week and a habitual low dietary fiber intake in a parallel design to evaluate the benefits for laxation by supplementing the daily diet with oligofructose (Orafti® P95; OF), a fermentable source of fiber and established prebiotic (n = 49); maltodextrin was the placebo (n = 48). After a run-in phase, OF was initially provided at 5 g/day, then increased to 10 and 15 g/day with four weeks for each phase. Stool frequency (bowel movements per week) for the OF and maltodextrin (MD) groups were initially similar (3.98 ± 1.49 vs. 4.06 ± 1.48), did not change for the placebo group, but increased for the OF group with the difference significant at 15 g/day (p = 0.023). Stool consistency was similar and remained unchanged at all doses for both groups. Gastrointestinal sensations were low for both groups. Laxation benefits were especially pronounced for participants with >13 g/day habitual dietary fiber intake, with significant laxation at 10 g and 15 g OF/day (p = 0.04 and p = 0.004, respectively) A daily supplement with a short-chain inulin-type fructan derived from chicory roots, i.e., oligofructose (Orafti® P95) provided a laxation effect without causing gastrointestinal (GI) distress for healthy participants with irregularity associated with low dietary fiber intake.

Highlights

Despite dietary guidelines and recommendations, dietary fiber intake by the population of the United States remains low [1], with less than 10% meeting the recommended levels for fiber intake [2,3].Similar findings for low fiber intake among Canadian adults have been linked with constipation [4].With the connection between fiber intake and the benefits for normal laxation, it is not surprising that an estimated 20% of the U.S population has chronic constipation
Laxation benefits were especially pronounced for participants with >13 g/day habitual dietary fiber intake, with significant laxation at 10 g and 15 g OF/day (p = 0.04 and p = 0.004, respectively) A daily supplement with a short-chain inulin-type fructan derived from chicory roots, i.e., oligofructose (Orafti® P95) provided a laxation effect without causing gastrointestinal (GI) distress for healthy participants with irregularity associated with low dietary fiber intake
Antibiotic use was reported by one OF participant during the last week of the third and final four-week phase of the study. Data for this participant for the number of bowel movements, stool consistency, and GI sensations that were used for the analysis were from the week before the last week when antibiotics were taken

Summary

Introduction

Despite dietary guidelines and recommendations, dietary fiber intake by the population of the United States remains low [1], with less than 10% meeting the recommended levels for fiber intake [2,3].Similar findings for low fiber intake among Canadian adults have been linked with constipation [4].With the connection between fiber intake and the benefits for normal laxation, it is not surprising that an estimated 20% of the U.S population has chronic constipation. Despite dietary guidelines and recommendations, dietary fiber intake by the population of the United States remains low [1], with less than 10% meeting the recommended levels for fiber intake [2,3]. Similar findings for low fiber intake among Canadian adults have been linked with constipation [4]. With the connection between fiber intake and the benefits for normal laxation, it is not surprising that an estimated 20% of the U.S population has chronic constipation. The direct economic costs are estimated to be $2000 to $7500 per person seeking treatment, excluding drugs and other indirect costs [5]. The current understanding of normal bowel patterns in the United States is limited, findings of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

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