Pectin dietary intake

Impairment of bile acid absorption and consequent loss of these acids via excretion presumably causes an increase in hepatic conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. This conversion lowers serum cholesterol, particularly when serum contains high levels of cholesterol derived from dietary intake. However, when fed with a cholesterol-free diet, 10% pectin supplementation stimulated a 3-fold increase in cholesterol biosynthesis (77). Biosynthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides also increased significantly hence, it was suggested that these increases occurred in response to diminished fat absorption occasioned by pectin intake. This compensatory biosynthesis of cholesterol and lipids may account for pectin s inability (in most cases) to lower serum cholesterol levels in animals fed cholesterol-free diets. 

The table shows dietary fibre (non-starch polysaccharides only, since there was no detectable lignin in the diet), intakes and faecal fibre excretion measured by the method of Southgate. Data are for third week of control diet period and third week of pectin period. Dietary intakes were controlled. 

Increased intake of soluble fiber in the form of oat bran, pectins, certain gums, and psyllium products can result in useful adjunctive reductions in total and LDL cholesterol (5% to 20%), but these dietary alterations or supplements should not be substituted for more active forms of treatment. They have little or no effect on HDL-C or triglyceride concentrations. These products may also be useful in managing constipation associated with the bile acid resins (BARs). 

Pelkman, C., Navia, J., Miller, A., and Pohle, R. (2007). Novel caldum-geUed, alginate-pectin beverage reduced energy intake in nondieting overweight and obese women Interactions with dietary restraint status. Am.. Clin. Nutr. 86,1595-1692. 

Zhu, C.L., M. Rademacher and C.F.M. de Lange, 2005. Increasing dietary pectin level reduces utilization of digestible threonine intake, but not lysine intake, for body protein deposition in growing pigs. J. Anim. Sci., 83, 1044-1053. 

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