Acute fiber supplementation with inulin-type fructans curbs appetite sensations: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Research points to a benefit of inulin fiber on appetite and weight regulation but results remain mixed. Objectives: To test the impact of 16 g/d of Inulin-type fructans (ITFs) on appetite and food intake in acute settings. Design: Forty college age females received either a fiber drink with 16 g of ITFs in 330 ml water or placebo. On the 8th day of the study, appetite sensations were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) along with food intake. Repeated-measures ANOVA were performed comparing VAS ratings during test day. Energy consumption was compared using paired t-tests. Significance was determined at p<0.05. Results: On the 8th day, the fiber group reported lower ratings for hunger, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption with significantly higher ratings for satisfaction and fullness. Subsequently, the fiber group consumed 21% less kcal from food at lunch (453 ± 47 kcal) compared to controls (571 ± 39 kcal) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Consuming 16 g/d of ITFs in the morning for 7 days, and after an overnight fast, curbed appetite sensations and helped reduce food intake during lunch meal. These findings highlight the potential of using ITFs in weight management. Future studies should explore ITFs long term benefits.

Fiber supplementation lowers plasma p-cresol in chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of supplemental fiber on plasma p-cresol, stool frequency, and quality of life (QoL) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: In a 12-week single-blind study, participants were provided with control muffins and supplements (5.5 g sucrose/day) for 2 weeks, muffins containing 10 g/day pea hull fiber and control supplements for 4 weeks, and muffins with 10 g/day pea hull fiber and 15 g/day inulin as a supplement for 6 weeks. SUBJECTS: Individuals with CKD (n = 13; 6 males, 7 females; aged 65 ± 3 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate <50 mL/minute/1.73(2)) completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma p-cresol was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, stool frequency by 5-day journals, and QoL by the KDQOL-36™. RESULTS: Plasma p-cresol decreased from 7.25 ± 1.74 mg/L during week 1 to 5.82 ± 1.72 mg/L during week 12 (P < .05), and in participants with high compliance (>70% inulin intake), from 6.71 ± 1.98 mg/L to 4.22 ± 1.16 mg/L (P < .05). Total fiber intake increased from 16.6 ± 1.7 g/day during control to 26.5 ± 2.4 g/day (P < .0001) with the added pea hull and to 34.5 ± 2.2 g/day with pea hull and inulin (P < .0001). Stool frequency increased from 1.4 ± 0.2 stools/day during control to 1.9 ± 0.3 stools/day during both fiber periods (P < .05). No change in overall QoL was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing the diet of CKD patients with fiber may be a dietary therapy to reduce p-cresol and improve stool frequency.

Foods with added fiber improve stool frequency in individuals with chronic kidney disease with no impact on appetite or overall quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Fiber intake may be low in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to diet restriction and/or poor appetite associated with uremic symptoms, contributing to constipation and reduced quality of life. This report describes the effects of foods with added fiber on gastrointestinal function and symptoms, clinical markers, and quality of life in CKD patients. FINDINGS: Adults with CKD (n = 15; 9 F, 6 M; 66 ± 15 y) were provided with cereal, cookies and snack bars without added fiber for 2 weeks, followed by similar foods providing 23 g/d of added fiber for 4 weeks, to incorporate into their usual diets. Participants completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) questionnaire, the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) bi-weekly, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) weekly, and daily stool frequency and compliance. Control and intervention serum cholesterol and glucose were assessed. Providing 23 g/d of added fiber increased stool frequency (1.3 ± 0.2 to 1.6 ± 0.2 stools/d; P = 0.02), decreased total cholesterol (175 ± 12 to 167 ± 11 mg/dL; P = 0.02) and improved TC:HDL ratio (4.0 ± 0.3 to 3.7 ± 0.2; P = 0.02). GSRS and SNAQ scores did not change, but SNAQ scores suggested poor appetite in 7 participants with or without added fiber. KDQOL Mental Health Composite decreased from 53 ± 2 to 48 ± 2 (P = 0.01) while Physical Health Composite increased from 31 ± 2 to 35 ± 3 (P = 0.02), with no change in overall QOL. The ESS score decreased from 10 ± 1 to 8 ± 1 (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Consuming foods with added fiber may be an effective means of increasing fiber intakes, improving stool frequency, and lipid profile in individuals with CKD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, # NCT01842087.

Foods with added fiber lower serum creatinine levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of foods with added fiber on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN: Participants were enrolled in a 6-week single-blind crossover study. SETTING: Free living with partial dietary intervention. PATIENTS: Thirteen CKD patients with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤50 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) at the time of screening (5 men, 8 women; mean age, 67.0 ± 14.8 years) completed the study. INTERVENTION: Patients consumed control foods (cereal, cookies, and bars) providing 1.6 g/day fiber daily for 2 weeks, followed by similar foods providing 23 g/day fiber daily for 4 weeks, incorporated into their usual diets. MAIN OUTCOME: The main outcome of the study was the determination of the impact of foods with added fiber on BUN and serum creatinine levels. RESULTS: Consuming foods with added fiber resulted in a 10.6% decrease in mean BUN concentration (13.8 ± 2.0 to 12.1 ± 1.8 mmol/L or 38.5 ± 5.6 to 34.0 ± 5.1 mg/dL; P < .05). Serum creatinine level decreased from a baseline value of 216 ± 26 to 201 ± 23 mmol/L (2.44 ± 0.30 to 2.27 ± 0.26 mg/dL; P < .05) after 2 weeks of fiber-containing food consumption, and remained significantly lower at 195 ± 23 mmol/L (2.21 ± 0.26 mg/dL) after 4 weeks of the intervention (P < .05). Calculated eGFR increased from a baseline value of 29.6 ± 3.5 to 31.4 ± 3.8 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) at the end of 2 weeks, and remained higher at 32.5 ± 3.6 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) after 4 weeks of fiber intervention (P < .05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that increasing fiber intake in CKD patients through the consumption of foods with added fiber may reduce serum creatinine levels and improve eGFR. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to determine whether the changes are due to direct effects on kidney function.