Effects of cellulose added to diets of low and high fiber content upon the metabolism of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by man
Ismail-Beigi, F.; Reinhold, J.G.; Faraji, B.; Abadi, P.
Journal of Nutrition 107(4): 510-518
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 845688 Document Number: 119567
Addition of 10 g cellulose dispersed in 150 g apple compote to the daily diet with a low fibre content for 20 days increased faecal Ca and Zn of 3 men significantly. Balances of both metals became negative and their concentrations in plasma decreased. Mg balances became negative in 2 subjects while P balance changed to negative in one. In a similar experiment in which the cellulose was added to a fibre-rich diet, faecal Ca and Zn increased significantly in each of 2 men and excretion of Mg in one. Previously negative balances became more negative and Ca and Zn concentrations decreased in plasma. The dependence of faecal dry weight on faecal fibre content measured by the acid-detergent method was confirmed. Increments of DM per g fibre were less when faecal fibre concentrations were high. Faecal Ca content was correlated significantly with faecal fibre in 2 subjects and faecal fibre and Zn in one. No correlation was shown in the subject who apparently digested fibre most effectively. The findings indicate that high intakes of fibre can explain to some extent the impaired utilization of Zn, Ca and Mg among villagers in rural Iran.