Dietary factors fibre intake

Dietary factors may also be important in gallstone pathogenesis - such as intake of total calories, cholesterol, refined carbohydrates and dietary fibre. As discussed below, the amount of bran, and of other fibre components, in the diet may influence the formation of deoxycholic acid (DCA) in the intestine, its subsequent absorption and its enrichment of bile with DCA conjugates. 

As regards the use of vitamins in cancer prevention, as distinct from cancer treatment, there is no evidence that a vitamin intake above that required for normal nutrition provides extra protection. However, since vegetables contain /5-carotene, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and also considerable amounts of fibre, all of which are credited with beneficial effects, a high vegetable diet would seem to have much to recommend it. A list of some of the dietary factors currently believed to have either cancer-preventing or cancer-promoting effects is given in Table 12.2. 

Glucofructans and fructans are physiologically acting polysaccharides or oligosaccharides that are classified as dietary fibre because they are not hydrolysed in the upper gastrointestinal system by saliva and pancreas hydrolases and by intestinal hydrolases (a-amylase, saccharase, maltase and other saccharidases). They also act as a growth factor for bifidobacteria in the colon. The daily intake of inulin and its hydrolytic products per capita in developed countries is estimated at 2-12 g. 

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