Bowel Function of Long‐Term Tube‐Fed Patients Consuming Formulae with and without Dietary Fiber

Abstract

Diarrhea, constipation and subsequent laxative use are chronic problems in long-term enterally fed patients. We have conducted a double-blind randomized crossover study to evaluate the effects of two enteral formulae (Enrich, 12.8 g of dietary fiber per 1000 kcal and Ensure, fiber-free) on stool frequency, fecal weight, laxative use, gastrointestinal tolerance and bowel function in chronic care tube-fed patients. Twenty-eight subjects (24 male, 4 female) completed the study. Mean daily number of stools and mean daily fecal wet weight in Enrich-fed patients were not significantly different from those of patients receiving Ensure. Ensure-fed patients required significantly more laxatives (p = 0.02) than those receiving Enrich. There were 26 reports of diarrhea in the Ensure-fed group as compared to 6 in the Enrich-fed group, and this difference was significant (p = 0.006). Reporting rates for constipation were not significantly different in the two groups. At the end of the study, the bowel function of 57.1% of patients receiving Enrich was improved when compared with that of 14.3% of Ensure-fed patients, and this difference was significant (p = 0.005). These results suggest that the addition of dietary fiber to enteral formulae improves gastrointestinal tolerance and bowel function, and reduces laxative use in long-term enterally fed patients.

Effects of the insoluble fiber derived fromPassiflora edulis seed on plasma and hepatic lipids and fecal output

“…The results indicate that the consumption of insoluble FRF relative to the cellulose could significantly (P a 0.05) increase the fecal moisture content, fecal wet weight, and fecal dry weight up to 112, 162, and 152%, respectively. From the findings of Shankardass et al [27], the fecal weight varied widely with the type and quantity of dietary fiber being consumed. Table 4 shows that the fecal bulking effect with insoluble FRF diet (4.60) was significantly (P a 0.05) higher than that with cellulose diet (1.88).…”

Modulation of the Intestinal Ca2+Uptake by a Cheese Whey Protein Digest

“…25) Although ED does not contain dietary fiber that could stimulate intestinal mucosa and progress an ulcer, it could cause damage to the intestinal environment, such as withering of the intestinal mucosa, decreased digestive enzyme activity, and changed intestinal bacterial flora. [26][27][28][29] In the present study, the Ca within 60 minutes after ED feeding, whereas CWP-D mitigated this decrease (Table 1). It would be possible that CWP-D activated CaT1, thereby reducing the decrease in the intestinal calcium absorption in vivo.…”

Physiological Functions of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum

“…Therefore, the observed increase in fecal moisture at a low pH may be due to the growth of Lactobacillus spp. In another study, fecal output was also increased in human volunteers ingesting PHGG both at a dose of 36 g/day for 4 weeks [44] and 12 g/100 ml beverage/day for 12 weeks [33]. A clinical study has also showed that PHGG was effective in preventing constipation by increasing bulking capacity in the institutionalized elderly women and men who took laxatives on a regular basis.…”