Meal Fiber Research Articles

Disposable bamboo fiber meal boxes characterized by efficient preparation, excellent performance, and the potential for beneficial degradation

Disposable plastic meal boxes account for a significant proportion of global plastic pollution, which has caused an increasingly urgent need for substitution with biodegradable plant fiber-molded meal boxes. Compared to other chemical-mechanical pulp pre-treatment methods, steam explosion is a more efficient and clean approach for the preparation of molded meal boxes. In this study, disposable bamboo fiber meal boxes made from steam-exploded pulp (SEP) were prepared using steam explosion. The results showed that the meal boxes prepared using this method had a compact interweaving structure, good tensile performance (with a tensile modulus 1.9 times higher than that of meal boxes prepared using chemical-mechanical pulp (CMP)), excellent water resistance (with a permeability 0.58 times lower than that of CMP), high compression strength, and excellent toughness. After being discarded, SEP was found to have no adverse effects on the soil pH or electrical conductivity (EC) during the degradation process. Furthermore, it could increase the levels of major nutrients for plant growth, such as N and P, improve the C/N ratio, enhance microbial activity, and improve soil fertility. Moreover, the CO2 release rate during the entire degradation process was found to be low. Thus, the bamboo fiber meal boxes developed in this study can alleviate the environmental pressure caused by the greenhouse effect, thereby achieving a green life cycle of highly efficient preparation, stable use, and beneficial degradation.

Performance and economic consideration of broiler chickens fed enzyme supplemented cassava fibre meal

The search for alternative energy source to substitute for the expensive conventional energy feed resources in broiler chicken diet is the driving force of this study. Thus, the study assessed the performance and economics of the production of broiler chickens fed enzyme supplemented cassava fibre meal (CFM) in a 56-day feeding trial. A batch of three hundred and sixty (360) day-old Arbor acre broiler-chicks was allotted to twelve (12) diets replicated five (5) times of six (6) birds in a complete randomization. Cassava fibre was sun dried for 5 days with constant turning to prevent fermentation, reduce the moisture content and possibly reduce the cyanide content. Proximate composition, phytochemical components and cyanide contents were determined using appropriate standard methods. Cassava fibre meal was substituted for maize at 0, 20, 40, and 60% levels and Roxazyme® G2 supplementation was at 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Data collected on feed intake and weight gain were analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM), and differences in means where observed were separated using Duncan option of the SPSS 2006 version 15.0. The Economics of broiler chicken production was determined using economic tools such as gross margin and economic efficiency analyses. Results showed that CFM contained appreciable levels of nutrients that could promote broiler growth when substituted at optimum level as an energy source in broiler chicken diet. Substitution of CFM at 40 and 60% levels for maize led to a decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain and feed conversion of broiler chickens. Feed intake and weight gain were not influenced by dietary substitution of CFM for maize in the broiler starter and broiler finisher stages of growth. The effect of enzyme supplementation was not significant in the birds’ physiological growth at both starter and finisher stages. The effect of interaction was not significant (p>0.05) indicating that birds’ performance were not dependent on the two factors under investigation. Economics of broiler chicken production revealed that total cost was lower in birds fed CFM with or without enzyme supplementation compared with those fed the maize-based diets. Net revenue, economic efficiency and profitability ratio analysis showed better economic viability and profitability in birds fed CFM with or without enzyme supplementation compared with those fed maize-based diets. Key words: Broiler chickens, Cassava fibre meal, Profitability ratio, Roxazyme® G2, Weight gain

Significance of Postprandial Insulin and Triglycerides to Evaluate the Metabolic Response of Composite Meals Differing in Nutrient Composition – A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Background and aimsGlucoTRIG, based on postprandial plasma insulin and triglyceride concentrations, has been recently developed as a novel index to determine the postprandial metabolic response to the meals. This study aimed to test GlucoTRIG as a measure for ranking composite meals for their metabolic effects.MethodsIn a randomized cross-over trial, healthy adult volunteers (both males and females; n = 10 for each meal) consumed three is caloric (2000 kj) test meals (meal 1, meal 2, meal 3) of varying macronutrient composition. Postmeal consumption, venous blood samples were collected to determine plasma insulin and plasma triglycerides for estimating the GlucoTRIG value using (Triglycerides180min × Insulin180min) - (Triglycerides0min × Insulin0min).ResultsThe GlucoTRIG values differed significantly (p = 0.0085) across meals. The statistical significance remains even after adjusting for confounding variables such as baseline diet, insulin, and triglycerides. The meal (M3) with a high fiber, low total fat content and containing less refined foods (fruits, beans, vegetables, plain yogurt) exhibited a significantly (p = 0.007) lower GlucoTRIG value (10 ± 7.7) compared to the other two meals, M1 (77 ± 19.8) and M2 (38 ± 12.1) which contained low processed foods, and were relatively high in fat and low in fiber meals. No statistically significant differences were observed between M1 and M2 meal.ConclusionsGlucoTRIG is a physiologically based index that may be useful to rank composite meals for reducing the risk of metabolic diseases. Further research focusing on the application of GlucoTRIG to foods, meals, and diets is warranted.ACTRN12619000973112 (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ANZCTR).

A Non-Nutritive Feeding Intervention Alters the Expression of Efflux Transporters in the Gastrointestinal Tract.

Intestinal interactions with nutrients, xenobiotics and endogenous hormones can influence the expression of clinically relevant membrane transporters. These changes in the gastrointestinal (GI) physiology can in turn affect the absorption of numerous drug substrates. Several studies have examined the effect of food on intestinal transporters in male and female humans and animal models. However, to our knowledge no studies have investigated the influence of a non-nutritive fibre meal on intestinal efflux transporters and key sex and GI hormones. Here, we show that a fibre meal increased the acute expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug-resistance-associated protein-2 (MRP2) in small intestinal segments in both male and female Wistar rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used for the protein quantification of efflux transporters and hormonal plasma concentration. In male rats, the fibre meal caused the plasma concentration of the GI hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) to increase by 75% and the sex hormone testosterone to decrease by 50%, whereas, in contrast, the housing food meal caused a decrease in CCK by 32% and testosterone saw an increase of 31%. No significant changes in the hormonal concentrations, however, were seen in female rats. A deeper understanding of the modulation of efflux transporters by sex, food intake and time can improve our understanding of inter- and intra-variability in the pharmacokinetics of drug substrates.

Effect of Kithul Palm (Caryota urens) Fiber on Subjective Satiety and Food Intake of Normal and Overweight Women in Sri Lanka

Dietary fiber plays prominent role in satiety characteristics of meals. Kithul palm flour is a conventional food ingredient consumed in Sri Lanka, believed having superior satiety characteristics. This study aimed to find the subjective satiety characteristics of Kithul flour meal compared to soluble fiber meal (Psyllium) and low fiber meal. Three arm, single blinded, cross over placebo controlled study was designed with three isocaloric treatments (carbohydrate 55%, fat 30% and protein 15%) having same energy density (~1 kcal/g). Satiety characteristics after ingestion of treatment meal were recorded using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Kithul flour meal had significant reduction in hunger (P=0.0025), increment in fullness (P=0.0408), reduction in desire to eat (P<0.0001), and reduced prospective food consumption (P<0.0001) values compared to the Psyllium meal. Further, Kithul flour meal had increased fullness (P=0.0388), reduced desire to eat (P=0.0002), and reduced prospective food consumption (P<0.0001) compared to the low-fiber control meal. Kithul flour meal showed superior satiety results in overweight women compared to normal weight women.

The Impact of a Dried Fruit and Vegetable Supplement and Fiber Rich Shake on Gut and Health Parameters in Female Healthcare Workers: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: Phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables are known to reduce inflammation and improve overall health. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a fruit and vegetable concentrate (FVC) and high fiber component on the gut microbiome in an overweight/obese, female population. Methods: The study was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with 57 asymptomatic, pre-menopausal, overweight/obese females between 25–50 years of age working in healthcare. Blood and fecal samples were collected before and after two, four and five months of daily supplementation. Metabolic parameters were measured, and the gut microbiome analyzed. Results: No effect was observed with FVC supplementation for blood lipids, glucose and immune parameters. There was an improvement in glucose clearance. The FVC supplement did not result in taxonomic alterations at phyla level, or changes in α or β diversity, but reduced Bacteroides abundance and increased fecal butyrate. An additional high fiber component improved levels of health associated bacteria. Conclusion: The results suggest that a dried fruit and vegetable supplement, with a high fiber meal replacement can alter the intestinal microbiota and improve glucose clearance, suggesting that this combination of supplements can improve glucose metabolism and possibly reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

English

This study assessed the supplemental value of Roxazyme® G2 in the utilization of cassava fibre meal (CFM) by broiler-chickens in a 56 day feeding trial. A batch of three hundred and sixty day-old Arbor acre broiler-chicks was allotted to twelve treatments replicated five times of six birds in a 4 × 3 factorial in complete randomization. Cassava fibre meal was substituted for maize at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels and Roxazyme® G2 supplementation was at 0, 100 and 200 mgkg-1. Results showed that CFM substitution at 40 and 60% levels for maize led to significant decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain of broiler chickens at both starter and finisher stages while feed conversion ratio was significant (p<0.05) at 60% CFM substitution at the starter phase. The effect of enzyme supplementation was not significant in the physiological growth of the birds at both starter and finisher stages. Eviscerated weight, liver and kidney weights were significantly (p<0.05) affected by CFM substitution. The effect of interaction was not significant (p>0.05) indicating that performance, carcass and organ description of broiler chickens were not dependent of the two factors under investigation. At starter phase, CFM substitution led to the saving of $0.07-0.08 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain and $0.08-0.13 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain on broiler finisher production. Roxazyme® G2 supplementation only at 100 mgkg-1 led to the saving of $0.03 and 0.01 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain at the starter and finisher stages respectively. Key words: Broiler chickens, cassava fibre meal, Roxazyme® G2, weight gain.

KECERNAAN BAHAN ORGANIK, SERAT KASAR DAN LEMAK KASAR PAKAN AYAM PEDAGING YANG DIBERI TEPUNG LIMBAH LABU KUNING (Cucurbita moschata)

DIGESTIBILITY OF THE ORGANIC MATTER, CRUDE FIBER AND CRUDE FAT IN BROILERS RATION CONTAINING PUMPKIN WASTE MEAL (Cucurbita moschata). A research was done to determine the digestibility values of feed in term of organic matter, crude fiber and crude fat containing pumpkin waste meal (PWM) fed to broilers. The research was conducted by involving 20 unsexed broilers, strain CP 707 at 5 weeks old with an average body weight of 1073 g. Experiment design of the Completely Randomized Designed (CRD) was applied with 4 treatments and 5 replications at each treatment. Honestly significant difference test (HSD) was used to define higher significant effects of the treatments. The treatments consist of 100% basal ration (BR) + 0% PWM (R0), 95% BR + 5% PWM (R1), 90% BR + 10% PWM (R2) and 85% BR + 15% PWM (R3). Results showed that digestibility of crude fiber was significantly affected by treatments (P<0.01), but digestibility values of organic matter and crude fat were not influenced by these treatments. The statistical test showed that the crude fiber digestibility of R0 (56.92%) was lower than those of R1 (63.10%), R2 (67.71%) and R3 (66.30%). Furthermore, there was no difference among digestibility values of R1, R2 and R3. Based on this research, it can be concluded that pumpkin waste meal could be utilized to replace some parts up to 15% in ration of broilers. Keyword: Pumpkin waste meal, digestibility, broiler

Physiological and behavioral response of sows fed with different levels of dietary fiber during gestation

Abstract Efficiency is not the only goal in animal production. Nowadays, consumers are very concerned about animal welfare and can decide their preferences based on this aspect. The present study evaluated the effect of variation in the amount of total dietary fiber (TDF) in sow diets, provided from 74 to 102 days of gestation, on the physiological and behavioral responses of the sows. Thirty-three sows were used in a randomized experimental design. The amounts of TDF in 3 treatment diets were 15.6%, 22.3%, and 28.2%. To increase the amount of dietary fiber, rice grain and soybean meal were partially substituted for defatted rice bran and soybean hulls. The daily consumption of nutrients and energy was similar for all diets during the entire period of gestation, differing only in the volume of ration consumed, which was 2.10, 2.21, and 2.40 kg day−1 (days 74-90) and 2.47, 2.65, and 2.85 kg day−1 (days 91-102) for the 15.6%, 22.3%, and 28.2% TDF diets, respectively. During gestation, the increase in TDF influenced the behavioral responses of the sows, resulting in a significant difference in total stereotypies, trough licking, and floor snout rubbing. Those behaviors indicate a reduction in stress and an improvement in animal welfare. The respiratory rates and rectal temperature were affected only by the different times of observation during the day. In conclusion, increasing the amount of TDF leads to a decrease in stereotyped behaviors, primarily after feeding, indicating that this type of diet may be used as a strategy to improve sows welfare.

Addition of Rye Bran and Pea Fiber to Pork Meatballs Enhances Subjective Satiety in Healthy Men, but Does Not Change Glycemic or Hormonal Responses: A Randomized Crossover Meal Test Study

Background: The development of high-protein, fiber-rich foods targeting appetite control could be an efficient tool in obesity prevention.Objectives: We investigated whether ad libitum energy intake (EI), appetite, and metabolic markers in a meal context were affected by 1) fiber addition (rye bran and pea fiber) to pork meatballs, 2) the food matrix of the fiber (fiber meatballs compared with fiber bread), or 3) the protein source (animal compared with vegetable protein patties).Methods: In a crossover design, 40 healthy men [mean ± SD: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2), 22.2 ± 1.9; age, 23.3 ± 2.9 y] consumed 4 test meals: a low-fiber meal consisting of pork meatballs plus wheat bread (LF meal); pork meatballs plus fiber bread; fiber meatballs plus wheat bread, and vegetable patties with a natural fiber content plus wheat bread (∼3000 kJ; protein ∼18% of energy, carbohydrate ∼50% of energy, fat ∼30% of energy; 13 g fiber in the fiber meals). Ad libitum EI after 4 h was the primary endpoint. Moreover, appetite sensations and postprandial responses of glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY 3-36, and plasma amino acids were measured.Results: Ad libitum EI did not differ significantly between the meals. Satiety and fullness increased 11% and 13%, respectively, and hunger and prospective intake decreased 17% and 15%, respectively, after the meal of fiber meatballs plus wheat bread compared with the LF meal (P < 0.01). Hormonal and metabolic responses did not differ between the meals. In general, plasma amino acid concentrations were higher after the fiber-rich meals than after the LF meal.Conclusions: Meals based on meatballs and bread with differences in the fiber content, food matrix of fiber, and protein source had similar effects on ad libitum EI in healthy men. However, fiber addition to pork meatballs favorably affected appetite sensations but without changes in hormonal and metabolic responses. Moreover, animal- and vegetable-protein-based, fiber-matched meals had similar effects on appetite regulation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02521805.

Soluble Fibre Meal Challenge Reduces Airway Inflammation and Expression of GPR43 and GPR41 in Asthma.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced following the fermentation of soluble fibre by gut bacteria. In animal models, both dietary fibre and SCFAs have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects via the activation of free fatty acid receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptor 41 and 43 (GPR41 and GPR43). This pilot study examined the acute effect of a single dose of soluble fibre on airway inflammation—including changes in gene expression of free fatty acid receptors—in asthma. Adults with stable asthma consumed a soluble fibre meal (n = 17) containing 3.5 g inulin and probiotics, or a control meal (n = 12) of simple carbohydrates. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) was measured and induced sputum was collected at 0 and 4 h for differential cell counts, measurement of interleukin-8 (IL-8) protein concentration, and GPR41 and GPR43 gene expression. At 4 h after meal consumption, airway inflammation biomarkers, including sputum total cell count, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, sputum IL-8, and eNO significantly decreased compared to baseline in the soluble fibre group only. This corresponded with upregulated GPR41 and GPR43 sputum gene expression and improved lung function in the soluble fibre group alone. Soluble fibre has acute anti-inflammatory effects in asthmatic airways. Long-term effects of soluble fibre as an anti-inflammatory therapy in asthma warrants further investigation.

食物繊維食摂取が呼気中水素および人体に及ぼす影響

食物繊維食摂取が呼気中水素および人体に及ぼす影響

The Impact of Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Intake on Hunger and Satiety in Minority Adolescents

This study hypothesized that high versus low habitual intake of SSBs would result in greater hunger, decreased fullness, and a blunted gut hormone response after a high sugar low fiber (HSLF) and a low sugar high fiber meal (LSHF). This was a randomized crossover feeding trial with 47 overweight/obese African American and Hispanic adolescents (mean age=15.6 y, 48% female, 35% African American). Participants were randomly fed a HSLF or LSHF breakfast and lunch followed by an ad libitum meal. During the breakfast and lunch, blood was drawn every 30 minutes on a subset of 18 subjects. During the entire visit, hunger and fullness visual analogue scales were completed every 30 minutes for 5 hours. Subjects were grouped into the following habitual SSB categories: low (蠄1 SSB serv/day), medium (>1 - <2 serv/day), and high (蠅2 serv/day). Mixed modeling was used to explore how SSB categories predicted ghrelin/PYY values and hunger/fullness ratings. The low group had lower hunger ratings compared to the high group (p<0.01) and higher ghrelin concentrations compared to the medium and high group (p=0.02). The LSHF meal was rated less filling than the HSLF (p=0.05). The medium group showed the highest PYY concentrations (p=0.03). Habitual SSB intake appears to impact hunger/fullness. Support: NCHMD P60 MD002254

Decreased insulin secretion and incretin concentrations and increased glucagon concentrations after a high-fat meal when compared with a high-fruit and -fiber meal.

This study was conducted to investigate whether a high-fat/high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meal induces an increase in plasma concentrations of glucagon, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), and CD26 expression in mononuclear cells (MNC) while reducing insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, GIP, and GLP-1 concentrations. Ten healthy normal subjects were given either a 910-calorie HFHC meal or an American Heart Association (AHA) meal rich in fruit and fiber during the first visit and the other meal during the second visit in crossover design. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 180, and 300 min following the meal. There was a significantly greater increase in glucose concentrations and lower increase in postprandial insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin concentrations and lower insulin/glucose ratios following the HFHC meal. HFHC meal intake induced marked increases in plasma glucagon and DPP-IV concentrations and an increase in CD26 mRNA expression in MNC compared with the AHA meal. In addition, the HFHC meal induced a reduction in GIP and peak GLP-1 secretion compared with the AHA meal. This was associated with a significantly greater increase in oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators including, ROS generation, TNFα, and IL-1β mRNA expression and plasma concentrations of TBARS, FFA, and LPS. We conclude that the proinflammatory HFHC meals result in lower insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, and GIP secretion in association with higher plasma glucagon and DPP-IV concentrations and CD26 expression in MNC compared with the AHA meal.

The effects of a beef‐based meal compared to a calorie matched bean‐based meal on appetite and food intake (640.2)

Protein and fiber have strong satiety‐inducing potential. Beef is a high quality, protein‐rich food. Beans contain moderate levels of protein as well as fiber. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a high protein meal (beef) compared to a moderate protein, high fiber meal (beans) on subjective appetite and energy intake at a subsequent meal. Twenty‐eight adults, 14 men (ages 24±5y, BMI 23±2 kg/m2) and 14 women (ages 25±5y, BMI 22±2 kg/m2) consumed two test lunches including a “meatloaf” made from either beef or beans. The beef meal provided 22 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber while the bean meal provided 14 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber. An ad libitum snack was given 3 hours after the test meal. Visual analogue scales were used to assess hunger, satiety, fullness, and prospective food intake. Gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance was assessed over 24 hours. No difference between the beef and bean was observed for appetite ratings over 3 hours, food intake at the subsequent meal (632±75 kcal vs 611±75 kcal, respectively), or sum of GI score (2.2±0.5 vs 2.9±0.5, respectively). Gas and bloating were reported more often after the bean meal than the beef meal (2.0±0.4 vs 1.3±0.4, p‐value 0.057). A beef‐based meal with high protein and a bean‐based meal with moderate protein and high fiber produced similar satiety, while the bean‐based meal resulting in higher, yet moderate, gas and bloating.Grant Funding Source: MN Beef Council

Effect of age on postprandial lipemia after a high‐fat meal high and low in cereal fiber

To assess the effect of age on postprandial lipemia, 10 youths (ages 10–17), 12 adults (ages 19–63), and 13 seniors (ages 65–75) completed two randomly assigned meal challenges on separate days, following an overnight fast: a high‐fat (HF) meal (550 kcal; 35.0 g fat; 34.6 g protein; 24.7 g carbohydrate; 0.3 g fiber), and a HF + fiber meal that included 45 g ready‐to‐eat cereal (680 kcal; 36.3 g fat; 41.3 g protein; 61.7 g carbohydrate; 16.3 g fiber). HF resulted in similar and significant (p&lt;0.05) 4‐hr postprandial increases in triglycerides (TG; mg/dl) across all groups (youths: 105.2 ± 30.9 to 188.1 ± 61.9; adults: 105.1 ± 53.2 to 199.7 ± 90.7; older adults: 94.8 ± 35.7 to 196.8 ± 64.5). Fiber attenuated the TG increase in youth by ~50% (100.2 ± 75.3 to 140.3 ± 57.9; p = 0.056) but not in adults (138.1 ± 97.7 to 212.9 ± 136.6) or older adults (105.5 ± 45.6 to 183.4 ± 65). We conclude that age did not affect postprandial increases in TG following ingestion of a high‐fat meal. However, adding high‐fiber (largely insoluble) ready‐to‐eat cereal to a HF meal attenuated the postprandial hyperlipidemia in youth. This may be due in part to the fact that the cereal fiber content of the meals was not adjusted in proportion to body mass. Because postprandial lipemia may increase cardiovascular disease risk, our findings may have important clinical application in meal planning for children and adolescents.Funding: NIH RR MO100847, Wheat Foods Council

Formulated feed preference for survival and optimal growth of &lt;i&gt;Bulinus&lt;/i&gt; species reared in the laboratory

Seventy-seven Bulinus snail species were fed for eight weeks with eleven diets consisting of different feed-formulations and vegetables. Snails reared exclusively on grower’s mash, corn fibre meal and fish meal did not survive for up to two weeks. The result from this investigation indicatesthat there isno signiicant difference in body growh gain between lettuce + blood meal, lettuce +groundnut fibre meal, blood meal, lettuce and cabbage. But they showed significant dfference withlettuce + corn fibre meal and lettuce + fish meal. It is therefore recommended that in a situation where lettuce which is well known as the snail’s food is not available as during the peak of rainy season, feeds like blood meal and cabbage can be used as viable substitutes for rearing experimental Bulinus snail species in the laboratory. Also, lettuce + blood meal has been shown bythis study as the best feed formulation for the optimal growth and development of Bulinus sp in thelaboratory.Keywords: Bulinus snail, Lettuce, Blood meal, Dietary formulations, Survival

Effects Of Glycemic Index And Dietary Fiber On Postprandial Endothelial Function

Endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The postprandial period may be critical in the development of atherosclerosis. Both glycemic index (GI) and dietary fiber have been reported to affect metabolic responses during the postprandial period. PURPOSE: We examined the effects of GI and dietary (predominantly cereal) fiber on postprandial endothelial function in healthy adults. METHODS: Ten adults [5 men; 5 women; mean (SD) age = 40.4 (15.6) yr; weight = 69.9 (11.1) kg; height = 174.2 (9.0) cm] were studied on 4 randomized days at the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). On each occasion, following an overnight fast, subjects consumed one of 4 breakfast meals: Low GI-High Fiber (GI = 44, fiber = 20.4 g); Low GI-Low Fiber (GI = 43; fiber = 4.3 g); High GI-Low Fiber (GI = 70; fiber = 3.6 g); High GI-High Fiber (GI = 71; fiber = 20.3 g). Meals were equal in total kcal (∼600) and macronutrient composition (∼90g digestible carbohydrate; ∼21g protein; ∼16g fat). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was performed pre-meal (∼8-9 AM), and 2h and 4h post-meal. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant GI x time interaction (P=0.04). Postprandial FMD was increased significantly after the Low GI-High Fiber meal (14.5 + 1.2 (SEM)% at 4h vs. 7.3 + 1.9% pre-meal; P=0.003), with a trend for improved FMD after the Low GI-Low Fiber meal (11.4 + 1.1% at 4h vs. 8.2 + 1.0% pre-meal; P=0.17). Postprandial FMD was not affected by either the High GI-Low Fiber meal (8.9 + 1.3% at 4h vs. 9.9 + 3.4% pre-meal; P=0.67) or the High GI-High Fiber meal (10.0 + 1.6% at 4h vs. 10.0 + 2.1% pre-meal; P=0.98). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy adults, a meal low in GI and high in cereal fiber appears to improve postprandial endothelial function. A High-Fiber meal enhances endothelial function only if the meal is low in GI. Because the FMD response following the Low GI-Low Fiber meal was less than that following the Low GI-High Fiber meal, the full benefit of a Low-GI meal on postprandial endothelial function may be dependent in part on cereal fiber. Supported in part by NIH grant RR-00847 to the GCRC and a grant from the Grain Foods Foundation.

Die Gastroparese des kritisch kranken Patienten – ein unterschätztes Problem?

Intestinal motility disturbances - like gastroparesis - worsen the outcome of critically ill patients. Inadequate and delayed feeding as well as micro aspiration, pneumonia and systemic infections up to sepsis and multiple organ failure have to be mentioned. Especially in milder cases and in the beginning symptoms are unspecific and diffuse. On the other hand the awareness of physicians has not been raised sufficiently; both problems are responsible for a lower number of patients diagnosed than affected. Especially in critically ill patients it is reasonable to distinguish between a temporary and a permanent gastroparesis. In patients with permanent gastroparesis we distinguish between three grades of severity. The most important therapeutic option is to adapt enteral nutrition according to the delay in gastric emptying. Four to six fluid-dominated, low fat and low fiber meals should be preferred in patients who eat by themselves, in intubated patients enteral nutrition should be started with lower rates, and increased more slowly. Prokinetic and antiemetic drugs complete the therapeutic options we have in critically ill patients.

Canola and sunflower meal in beef cattle diets.

It is apparent from the limited research that sunflower meal is a biologically and economically useful protein source for growing and finishing cattle. Similarly, beef cows can be provided supplemental protein effectively with sunflower meal. Sunflower meal may be especially useful in diets where degradable protein is required, such as lower quality forage or high corn finishing rations. The increased bulk of this relatively high fiber meal may affect logistics, but ruminants are positioned to be more tolerant of high fiber levels than other species. Additional research is warranted to evaluate practical and economic aspects of using sunflower meal in beef cattle diets.