High fibre

Iron-deficiency anaemia results from a discrepancy between iron availability and the amount required for production of red blood cells. The causes of acquired iron deficiency in so-called underdeveloped and developed countries must be differentiated. In underdeveloped countries, the main causes of iron deficiency are (a) the poor availability of iron in the diet due to low haem and high fibre and phytate content (D Souza et ah, 1987), and (b) chronic blood loss due to hookworm, schistosomiasis and malaria (Stoltzfus et ah, 1997 Olsen et ah, 1998 Dreyfuss et ah, 2000). Inflammation and vitamin A deficiency often interfere with the above causes of iron deficiency, causing a mixed type of anaemia. In underdeveloped countries diet improvement, iron fortification of natural foods and eradication of parasites will have a much higher impact than will refinement of diagnostic procedures and therapy of iron-deficiency anaemia. 

Brodribb AJM Treatment of symptomatic diverticular disease with a high-fibre diet. Lancet 1977 i 664—666. 

These products use other grains in the recipe. Some of these products are made in the UK for people of the ethnic origin concerned while others are made as made as a way of producing a different tasting high fibre loaf. The authenticity of the latter type might not be great. 

The other class of health high fibre breads have ingredients such as soya and linseed. The high soya content of these products has been promoted as making them especially suitable for women, particularly... 

Cellulase is not produced in the human digestive system. Cellulolytic enzyme preparations obtained from A. niger or other fungal sources are available, and it is thought that their ingestion may improve overall digestion, particularly in relation to high-fibre diets. 

Gonlachanvit, S., Coleski, R., Owyang, C., and Hasler, W. L. (2004). Inhibitory actions of a high fibre diet on intestinal gas transit in healthy volunteers. Gut. 53,1577-1582. 

As well as providing fuel, butyrate (which contains four carbon atoms) can reduce the proliferation of colonocytes, which may reduce the risk of tumour development. This is one suggestion to explain how high-fibre diets protect against colon cancer (Chapter 21). 

Simvastatin is a statin. Patients taking statins must be advised to immediately report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness and to take the dose preferably at night. Patients must also be advised to follow dietary measures, namely ovoid fatty foods and maintain a high-fibre diet. 

In the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, often a therapeutic dilemma, there is some evidence that a high fibre maintenance diet combined with short-term antispasmodics may be beneficial. 

Hung GU, Tsai SC, Lin WY, Wang SJ. A high-fibre diet in combination with bisacodyl for bowel preparation in gallium renal scintigraphy. Nncl Med Commnn 2003 24 933-7. 

Drugs are not a first choice treatment for constipation. The patient should eat food with high fibre content and drink enough liquid. Consistent food habits and regular bowel movements counteract constipation and physical exercise is also important for intestinal function. 

In severe acute disease parenteral steroids and other immuno-suppressants, ciclosporin, and infliximab may be required. There is little evidence to support the use of any accessory treatments. Constipation associated with colonic dysfunction may be helped by a high fibre diet but this will have no intrinsic effect on the inflammation. In severe acute exacerbations of extensive disease, fluid replacement intravenously and blood transfusion may be needed. 

Symptom patterns those with alternating constipation and diarrhoea and predominant constipation may benefit from high fibre diets (although excess fibre may bloat). Those with predominant diarrhoea may require simple peripheral opiate agonists (loperamide), but may also be helped by raised fibre intake. Pain may respond in part to explanation that it does not indicate serious illness and in part to spasmolytic therapy with anticholinergic agents which... 

The recommended daily intake of NSP is 18g/day so conventional soft drinks provide an insignificant contribution. High levels of fortification can be achieved but a high-fibre drink recently launched in the UK did not succeed, despite good taste and texture and skilful marketing. 

Miettinen, T.A. and Tarpila, S. 1989. Serum lipids and cholesterol metabolism during guar gum, plantago ovata and high fibre treatments. Clin. Chim. Acta 183, 253-262. 

Because of their high fibre and low energy content, oats are best used in pullet developer diets and in diets for breeder flocks. Newer varieties of oats with a lower hull content may be more suitable in diets for growing meat birds. 

Use of sesame meal in starter diets should be limited because of its high fibre content and possible palatability problems associated with phytates and oxalates (Ravindran and Blair, 1992). 

Onifade, A.A. and Babatunde, G.M. (1996) Supplemental value of dried yeast in a high-fibre diet for broiler chicks. Animal Feed Science and Technology 62, 91-96. 

---