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/1.732) 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.

No abstract

BackgroundFiber 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.FindingsAdults 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).ConclusionConsuming foods with added fiber may be an effective means of increasing fiber intakes, improving stool frequency, and lipid profile in individuals with CKD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, # NCT01842087

Data on fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption and barriers to their intake by Kuwait college students are needed for health promotional activities to curtail obesity and related comorbidities prevalent in Kuwait. This study employed a cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the median F/V intake in a sample of Kuwait University students to determine its relationship with gender, body weight, college affiliation, and family monthly income and to explore perceived barriers to eating F/V. The median total F/V intake was 2.06, and the median intake of F/V without fries was even lower. Significant gender differences were found in intakes of fruit juice and the percentage of juice from fruit intake, with males consuming more servings per day compared to females. Male students were found to consume proportionately more fried potatoes of total vegetable intake when compared to females, whereas female students were found to consume more vegetables without fries than males. Taste, inconvenience, and lack of knowledge on F/V intake recommendations and preparation methods were among the main barriers to consuming more F/V. College students require encouragement to consume more F/V through targeted campaigns to increase awareness of recommendations, health benefits, and ways to incorporate F/V in their daily diet.

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.