Dietary Fiber for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Fiber's Interaction between Gut Microflora, Sugar Metabolism, Weight Control and Cardiovascular Health

Rodney A. Samaan

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9780128051306
• eBook ISBN: 9780128052754
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Cardiology

Dietary Fiber for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Fiber's Interaction between Gut Micoflora, Sugar Metabolism, Weight Control and Cardiovascular Health compiles the most up-to-date research discoveries to provide a timely and scientific rationale for the significant impact of a fiber rich diet for the prevention of heart disease.By focusing on the science behind how fiber, both soluble and insoluble can lead to lower rates of heart disease, this important reference will educate researchers, cardiologists, medical providers and students on how to improve patients' hearts via a fiber rich diet. Coverage includes the known mechanisms of how fiber works to reduce insulin resistance, control weight, reduce cholesterol by binding with bile, maintain stable glucose levels and influence gut microflora.- Explains how fiber affects cardiovascular disease through the influence on insulin resistance, reduction of cholesterol, change in gut microflora and in weight control- Provides thorough coverage of the effect of fiber on arrhythmias and valvular abnormalities- Includes information on the indirect relationship between constipation and heart disease

Chapter 1

Dietary Fiber and Human Health: An Introduction

Santosh K. Jha

Hare R. Singh

Pragya Prakash

Abstract

Dietary fibers include cellulose, noncellulosic polysaccharides, and a noncarbohydrate component lignin in the diet, which are resistant to enzymatic digestion. This chapter presents an overview of the nutritional and positive health impact of dietary fiber, and illustrates the physical, chemical, and biological impact of diets rich in fibers, such as cereals, nuts, fruits, and vegetables on human health. The detail chemical classification and physiological effect of dietary fibers are incorporated with suitable experimental justifications. The importance of fibers in our diet, their immunomodulatory effect, their role in water retention, and as an absorber of organic materials is outlined in this chapter. In this chapter, we discuss the dietary necessities and functioning of fibers as a bowel regulator, inhibitor of fat accumulation, absorber of minerals, and we discuss how its regular intake decreases the incidence of chronic diseases. The daily dietary fiber intake recommendations of various international authorities, namely USDA and USFDA, Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology, British National Advisory, UK Department of Health, German RDA are discussed in the chapter.

Keywords

dietary fiber

cellulose

cereals

fat accumulation

immunomodulator

bowel regulator

water holding

1. Introduction

Fibers are the structural part of a plant and are found in all plant foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Dietary fiber is a discrete group of carbohydrate found almost exclusively in plants, including nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs), such as cellulose, pectin, and lignin. It is the edible integral element of carbohydrate and lignin that is naturally found in plant food. Most dietary fibers are polysaccharides are starches, but they are not digested by humans. Starch is a long chain of glucose molecules linked together with alpha bonds. Fiber is a long chain of glucose molecules linked together with beta bonds. The human body lacks enzymes to break beta bonds, therefore fiber is not digested and absorbed. The undigested fiber passes into the lower intestine where intestinal bacteria can ferment the fibers.

Fibers are typically known as NSPs. NSP fibers include cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, gums, and mucilages. Dietary fibers act by changing how other nutrients a...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Chapter 1: Dietary Fiber and Human Health: An Introduction
• Chapter 2: The Mechanism of Fiber Effects on Insulin Resistance
• Chapter 3: The Interaction Between Insoluble and Soluble Fiber
• Chapter 4: The Influence of Fiber on Gut Microbiota: Butyrate as Molecular Player Involved in the Beneficial Interplay Between Dietary Fiber and Cardiovascular Health
• Chapter 5: The Relationship Between Probiotics and Dietary Fiber Consumption and Cardiovascular Health
• Chapter 6: Dietary Fiber and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
• Chapter 7: Sources of Fiber
• Chapter 8: High Fiber Diet in the Clinical Setting
• Index