The therapeutic effect of fiber in treating obesity. A Natural Fiber Complex Reduces Body Weight in the Overweight and Obese: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Experiences with three different fiber supplements in weight reduction. Effect of wheat fiber and vitamins C and E on rectal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. Fiber (glucomannan) is beneficial in the treatment of childhood constipation. Overweight treated with energy restriction and a dietary fibre supplement: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [The use of highly purified glucomannan-based fibers in childhood obesity]. Soy fiber improves weight loss and lipid profile in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial. Cereal fiber improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese women. Dietary fiber and subsequent changes in body weight and waist circumference in European men and women. The effectiveness of long-term fibre supplementation on weight maintenance in weight-reduced women A simple dietary message to improve dietary quality: Results from a pilot investigation. Dietary fiber supplementation for fecal incontinence: a randomized clinical trial. Soluble fibers from psyllium improve glycemic response and body weight among diabetes type 2 patients (randomized control trial) Design and methods for testing a simple dietary message to improve weight loss and dietary quality A randomized, prospective, comparison study of a mixture of acacia fiber, psyllium fiber, and fructose vs polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes for the treatment of chronic functional constipation in childhood. Dietary fibre added to very low calorie diet reduces hunger and alleviates constipation.
This study provides preliminary data on the influence of ingestion of 15 g of dietary fiber daily for 4 weeks on weight change and serum iron concentrations in obese children . During two consecutive 4-week periods , subjects received either fiber/placebo supplements or placebo/fiber supplements . Initially , and after the fourth and eighth weeks , height , weight , and serum iron concentration were obtained . Diet records were maintained throughout the study . No significant differences ( p less than or equal to 0.05 ) were found in weight change , energy , iron , and crude fiber intakes and serum iron concentrations of the subjects between periods of fiber and placebo supplementation . However , mean weight loss of subjects ( 336 g ) was greater during fiber ingestion than during placebo ingestion ( 33 g ) . Due to the small sample size and the subjects ' poor compliance , further studies are needed , with a larger sample size , to determine the effectiveness of different fibers in the treatment of obesity Objective A proprietary natural fiber complex ( Litramine IQP G-002AS ) derived from Opuntia ficus-indica , and st and ardized on lipophilic activity , was previously shown in pre clinical and human studies to reduce dietary fat absorption through gastrointestinal ( GI ) fat binding . Here , we investigated the efficacy and safety of IQP G-002AS in body weight reduction . Design and Methods One hundred twenty-five overweight and obese adults participated in the study . Subjects were advised on physical activity , and received nutritional counseling , including hypocaloric diet plans ( 30 % energy from fat and 500 kcal deficit/day ) . After a 2-week placebo run-in phase , subjects were r and omized to receive either 3 g/day of IQP G-002AS ( IQ ) or a placebo . The primary endpoint was change in body weight from baseline ; secondary endpoints included additional obesity measures and safety parameters . Results One hundred twenty-three subjects completed the 12-week treatment phase ( intention-to-treat ( ITT ) population : 30 male and 93 female ; mean BMI : 29.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2 and age : 45.4 ± 11.3 years ) . The mean body weight change from baseline was 3.8 ± 1.8 kg in IQ vs. 1.4 ± 2.6 kg in placebo ( P < 0.001 ) . More IQ subjects lost at least 5 % of their initial body weight compared to placebo ( P = 0.027 ) . Compared with placebo , IQ also showed significantly greater reduction in BMI , body fat composition , and waist circumference . IQ was well tolerated with no adverse reactions reported . Conclusions These results suggest that the natural fiber complex Litramine IQP G-002AS is effective in promoting weight loss BACKGROUND Fiber supplements added to a caloric diet have additional effects on weight reduction in overweight subjects . The aim of this study was to compare the effect of various commercial fiber supplements ( glucomannan , guar gum and alginate ) on weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects . MATERIAL / METHODS One hundred and seventy six men and women were included to receive either active fiber substance or placebo in r and omized placebo-controlled studies . The fiber supplements consisted of the viscous fibers glucomannan ( Chrombalance ) , glucomannan and guar gum ( Appe-Trim ) and glucomannan , guar gum and alginat ( Glucosahl ) . RESULTS All fiber supplements plus a balanced 1200 kcal diet induced significantly weight reduction more than placebo and diet alone , during a five week observation period . However , there were no significant differences between the different fibers in their ability to induce weight reduction , which was approximately 0.8 kg/week ( 3.8 + /- 0.9 , 4.4 + /- 2.0 , 4.1 + /- 0.6 in the Chrombalance , Appe-Trim and Glucosahl group , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS Glucomannan induced body weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects , whereas the addition of guar gum and alginate did not seem to cause additional loss of weight Over a 4-year period in a chemoprevention trial on large bowel neoplasia , 58 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis were treated with 4 g of ascorbic acid ( vitamin C)/day plus 400 mg of alpha-tocopherol ( vitamin E)/day alone or with a grain fiber supplement ( 22.5 g/day ) . In this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study , we determined the effects of these supplements on rectal polyps in these patients . Analysis by intent to treat suggested that the high-fiber supplement had a limited effect . Analysis adjusted for patient compliance showed a stronger benefit from the high-fiber supplement during the middle 2 years of the trial . The results provide evidence for inhibition of benign large bowel neoplasia by grain fiber supplements in excess of 11 g/day in this study population . The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that dietary grain fiber and total dietary fat act as competing variables in the genesis of large bowel neoplasia OBJECTIVE Constipation and encopresis are common problems in children . Still today , the role of fiber in the treatment of chronic constipation in childhood is controversial . The aim of our study was to evaluate whether fiber supplementation is beneficial in the treatment of children with functional constipation with or without encopresis . We used glucomannan as the fiber supplement . METHODS We evaluated the effect of fiber ( glucomannan , a fiber gel polysaccharide from the tubers of the Japanese Konjac plant ) and placebo in children with chronic functional constipation with and without encopresis in a double-blind , r and omized , crossover study . After the initial evaluation , the patients were disimpacted with 1 or 2 phosphate enemas if a rectal impaction was felt during rectal examination . Patients continued with their preevaluation laxative . No enemas were given during each treatment period . Fiber and placebo were given as 100 mg/kg body weight daily ( maximal 5 g/day ) with 50 mL fluid/500 mg for 4 weeks each . Parents were asked to have children sit on the toilet 4 times daily after meals and to keep a stool diary . Age , frequency of bowel movements into the toilet and into the undergarment , presence of abdominal pain , dietary fiber intake , medications , and the presence of an abdominal and /or a rectal fecal mass were recorded on a structured form at the time of recruitment and 4 weeks and 8 weeks later . Children were rated by the physician as successfully treated when they had > or =3 bowel movements/wk and < or = 1 soiling/3 weeks with no abdominal pain in the last 3 weeks of each 4-week treatment period . Parents made a global assessment s to whether they believed that the child was better during the first or second treatment period . RESULTS Forty-six chronically constipated children were recruited into the study , but only 31 children completed the study . These 31 children ( 16 boys and 15 girls ) were 4.5 to 11.7 years of age ( mean : 7 + /- 2 years ) . All children had functional constipation ; in addition , 18 had encopresis when recruited for the study . No significant side effects were reported during each 4-week treatment period . Significantly fewer children complained of abdominal pain and more children were successfully treated while on fiber ( 45 % ) as compared with placebo treatment ( 13 % ) . Parents rated significantly more children ( 68 % ) as being better on  fiber versus 13 % as being better on placebo . The initial fiber intake was low in 22 ( 71 % ) children . There was no difference in the percentage of children with low fiber intake living in the United States ( 70 % ) and Italy ( 71 % ) . Successful treatment ( physician rating ) and improvement ( parent rating ) were independent of low or acceptable initial fiber intake . The duration of chronic constipation ranged from 0.6 to 10 years ( mean : 4.0 + /- 2.5 years ) . Duration of constipation did not predict response to fiber treatment . Children with constipation only were significantly more likely to be treated successfully with fiber ( 69 % ) than those with constipation and encopresis ( 28 % ) . CONCLUSION We found glucomannan to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation with and without encopresis in children . Symptomatic children who were already on laxatives still benefited from the addition of fiber . Therefore , we suggest that we continue with the recommendation to increase the fiber in the diet of constipated children with and without encopresis Fifty-two ( 41 females , 11 males ) overweight patients , mean body mass index ( BMI ) = 29.3 , were treated for 6 months in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel group design . The treatment consisted of an energy restricted diet and a dietary fibre supplement amounting to 7 g/day . After treatment the weight reduction in the fibre-treated group , 5.5 + /- 0.7 kg , was significantly higher than that of the placebo group , 3.0 + /- 0.5 kg ( P = 0.005 ) . Both groups were  normotensive  and comparable commencing treatment , 126.5/75.6 + /- 2.0/1.3 mm Hg versus 126.7/78.7 + /- 2.5/1.6 mm Hg . The treatment changed blood pressure non-significantly . Hunger feelings using visual analogue scales ( VAS ) were significantly reduced from 139.8 + /- 8.2 cm to 118.3 + /- 7.0 cm in the fibre-treated group , whereas a significant increase from 129.5 + /- 6.9 cm to 146.9 + /- 8.8 cm ( P less than 0.02 ) was seen in the placebo group . Side-effects were predominantly gastrointestinal and equally distributed in the two groups . It is concluded that a dietary fibre supplement is of value in the management of overweight , enhancing weight loss and decreasing hunger feelings To evaluate the effectiveness of highly purified glucomannan in childhood obesity a study has been carried out in 23 obese children ( 12 boys and 11 girls , aged 5.2 - 15.8 years ) , with excess weight of 51 + /- 16 % , treated with 2 - 3 caps twice a day of glucomannan fibres ( DICOMAN 5:2 - 3 gr/die ) , and in 30 obese children ( aged 5 - 18 years ) with excess weight of 51 + /- 10 % , studied as controls . After a three-days food recall , a balanced diet with adequate caloric intake was provided to all obese children . In all patients before and 2 - 4 months after the auxological data ( weight , height , weight excess ) and laboratory data ( serum levels of cholesterol , HDL , triglycerides , glucose , fructosamine , glycosylated hemoglobin , RBC , WBC , hemoglobin , iron , calcium , Cu and Zn ) have been determined . Excess weight and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in treated obese patients than in obese controls 4 months after the beginning of the study . A decrease of cholesterol levels was also observed in treated obese patients , but not in controls , whereas serum iron , calcium , copper and zinc persisted unchanged . No important side-effects were observed in treated patients . On the basis of our results highly purified glucomannan fibres may be employed with effectiveness in obese and dyslipidemic children together with diet SCOPE Studies have suggested that food rich in dietary fiber may facilitate body weight loss , lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels , and reduce body fat . This study examined the effects of soy fiber ( SF ) on body weight , body composition , and blood lipids in overweight and obese participants . METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-nine overweight and obese college adults ( 19 - 39 years of age ) were r and omly assigned to consume control biscuits or biscuits supplemented with SF for their breakfast for 12 wk ( approximately 100 g/day ) . There were significant differences in changes on body weight , BMI , and LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) between the two groups after 12-wk intervention ( p < 0.05 ) . The changes of body weight , BMI , waist circumference , diastolic blood pressure , serum levels of total cholesterol , LDL-C , and glucose , body fat , and trunk fat of participants in SF group were observed significantly after 12 wk . CONCLUSION SF had favorable effects on body weight , BMI , and fasting LDL-C levels in overweight and obese adults . These effects may be beneficial in antiobesity and the improvement of hyperlipidemia and hypertension ( Clinical Trials.gov registration number-NCT01802840 ) OBJECTIVE Cereal fiber intake is linked to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes  in epidemiological observations . The pathogenic background of this phenomenon is unknown . Based on recent findings , we hypothesized that intake of purified insoluble oat fiber may improve whole-body insulin sensitivity . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A r and omized , controlled , single-blind , cross-over study was performed , and 17 overweight or obese subjects with normal glucose metabolism were analyzed . After consumption of nine macronutrient-matched portions of fiber-enriched bread ( white bread enriched with 31.2 g insoluble fiber/day ) or control ( white bread ) over a time period of 72 h , whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp . Energy intake was individually adjusted by providing st and ardized liquid meals . Hydrogen breath tests were performed to control for dietary adherence . RESULTS When analyzing the entire cohort , whole-body glucose disposal was improved after fiber consumption ( M value 6.56 + /- 0.32 vs. 6.07 + /- 0.27 mg . min(-1 ) . kg(-1 ) ; P = 0.043 ) . Thirteen subjects had increased hydrogen breath test concentrations after fiber consumption , indicating probable dietary adherence . Restricting analysis to these subjects , improvements in M value ( 6.85 + /- 0.34 vs. 6.06 + /- 0.32 mg . min(-1 ) . kg(-1 ) ; P = 0.003 ) and insulin sensitivity , expressed as M/I ratio ( M value divided by mean serum insulin at steady state : 3.73 + /- 0.23 vs. 3.21 + /- 0.27 ; P = 0.02 ) , after fiber consumption were more pronounced . Plasma lipids , serum magnesium , ghrelin , and adiponectin concentrations , as well as substrate utilization and body weight , were not significantly changed by fiber intake ( P > 0.15 ) . CONCLUSIONS Increased insoluble dietary fiber intake for 3 days significantly improved whole-body insulin sensitivity . These data suggest a potential mechanism linking cereal fiber intake and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes BACKGROUND Dietary fiber may play a role in obesity prevention . Until now , the role that fiber from different sources plays in weight change had rarely been studied . OBJECTIVE Our aim was to investigate the association of total dietary fiber , cereal fiber , and fruit and vegetable fiber with changes in weight and waist circumference . DESIGN We conducted a prospect i ve cohort study with 89,432 European participants , aged 20 - 78 y , who were free of cancer , cardiovascular disease , and diabetes at baseline and who were followed for an average of 6.5 y. Dietary information was collected by using vali date d country-specific food-frequency question naires . Multiple linear regression analysis was performed in each center studied , and estimates were combined by using r and om-effects meta-analyses . Adjustments were made for follow-up duration , other dietary variables , and baseline anthropometric , demographic , and lifestyle factors . RESULTS  Total fiber  was inversely associated with subsequent weight and waist circumference change . For a 10-g/d higher total fiber intake , the pooled estimate was -39 g/y ( 95 % CI : -71 , -7 g/y ) for weight change and -0.08 cm/y ( 95 % CI : -0.11 , -0.05 cm/y ) for waist circumference change . A 10-g/d higher fiber intake from cereals was associated with -77 g/y ( 95 % CI : -127 , -26 g/y ) weight change and -0.10 cm/y ( 95 % CI : -0.18 , -0.02 cm/y ) waist circumference change . Fruit and vegetable fiber was not associated with weight change but had a similar association with waist circumference change when compared with intake of total dietary fiber and cereal fiber . CONCLUSION Our finding may support a beneficial role of higher intake of dietary fiber , especially cereal fiber , in prevention of body-weight and waist circumference gain OBJECTIVE : To investigate whether fibre supplementation is effective in weight-reduced subjects for maintenance of weight-loss in the long-term . DESIGN : Longitudinal , r and omly assigned intervention study with supplementation of 20 g of water soluble fibre ( guar gum ) daily for 14 months after an energy-restricted period of two months ( VLCD ) . SUBJECTS : Thirty-one female , obese subjects ( age : 41.4±7.4 y : BMI 33.2±3.7 kg/m−2 ) ; 20 subjects were supplemented with fibre and 11 subjects served as the control group .  MEASUREMENTS : Body weight ( BW ) , blood lipids and blood pressure , anthropometry , and eating behaviour were measured before the VLCD ( 0 ) , after VLCD ( 2 ) , and at 4 , 10 and 16 months . RESULTS : The fibre group with at least 80 % compliance ( group A ) and the control group showed the same weight regain response after VLCD . The fibre consuming group with 50–80 % compliance ( group B ) differed with respect to relapse . The rate and amount of BW regain was significantly higher for group B. After 14 months group B had returned to baseline levels , whereas group A and the control group showed a tendency to a lower BW than at baseline ( P=0.09 ) . No effect of fibre supplementation was found on blood lipids , blood pressure and energy intake . Eating behaviour characteristics changed during the intervention and might explain differences in weight maintenance . CONCLUSIONS : No effect of 14 months fibre supplementation was found on weight maintenance in weight‐reduced subjects . Guar gum intake did not result in reduction of blood pressure or cholesterol , or in suppression of energy intake OBJECTIVE The present study compared the feasibility of two simple messages ( a high-fiber diet or a low saturated fat diet ) to a combination message ( high fiber/low saturated fat ) on their potential to affect dietary quality and metabolic health . METHODS Thirty-six subjects were r and omized to one of three intervention conditions and received individual dietary counseling sessions . Study assessment s occurred at baseline , 3 mo , and 6 mo . RESULTS The sample was 84 % female and 94 % Caucasian . Mean body mass index was 31kg/m(2 ) . At the 6-mo assessment phase , we retained all 12 patients in the high-fiber diet condition  , 10 of 12 in the low saturated fat condition , and 9 of 12 in the combination condition .  Participants reported that the dietary fiber intervention was easier to maintain compared with the other two intervention conditions ( 83 % for high dietary fiber versus 60 % for low saturated fat versus 33 % for the combination , P=0.008 ) . Overall dietary quality improved in all three conditions during the study ( P=0.01 ) . In addition to increasing fiber , the high-fiber condition decreased their saturated fat intake , even though a reduction in saturated fat was not a part of that intervention condition . Participants in all three conditions lost an average of 9 lb from baseline weight ( P<0.001 ) . CONCLUSION A simple dietary message is feasible and can improve overall dietary quality . Results support the need for a larger r and omized controlled trial that is powered to detect the efficacy of a simplified dietary recommendation for dietary quality and metabolic health Dietary fiber supplements are used to manage  fecal incontinence ( FI ) , but little is known about the fiber type to recommend or the level of effectiveness of such supplements , which appears related to the fermentability of the fiber . The aim of this single-blind , r and omized controlled trial was to compare the effects of three dietary fiber supplements ( carboxymethylcellulose [ CMC ] , gum arabic [ GA ] , or psyllium ) with differing levels of fermentability to a placebo in community-living individuals incontinent of loose/liquid feces . The primary outcome was FI frequency ; secondary outcomes included FI amount and consistency , supplement intolerance , and quality of life ( QoL ) . Possible mechanisms underlying supplement effects were also examined . After a 14-day baseline , 189 subjects consumed a placebo or 16 g total fiber/day of one of the fiber supplements for 32 days . FI frequency significantly decreased after psyllium supplementation versus placebo , in both intent-to-treat and per- protocol mixed model analyses . CMC increased FI frequency . In intent-to-treat analysis , the number of FI episodes/week after supplementation was estimated to be 5.5 for Placebo , 2.5 for Psyllium , 4.3 for GA , and 6.2 for CMC . Only psyllium consumption result ed in a gel in feces . Supplement intolerance was low . QoL scores did not differ among groups . Patients with FI may experience a reduction in FI frequency after psyllium supplementation , and decreased FI frequency has been shown to be an important personal goal of treatment for patients with FI . Formation of a gel in feces appears to be a mechanism by which residual psyllium improved FI Background Water-soluble dietary fibers intake may help control blood glucose and body weight . Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether soluble fiber supplementation from psyllium improves glycemic control indicators and body weight in type 2 diabetic patients . Method Forty type 2 diabetes patients , non-smoker , aged > 35 years were stratified to different strata according to sex , age , body mass index ( BMI ) and fasting blood sugar level ( FBS ) and r and omly assigned into two groups ; The intervention group which consists of 20 participants was on soluble fiber ( 10.5 g daily ) , and the control group which consist of 20 participants continued on their regular diet for eight weeks duration . Results After 8 weeks of intervention , soluble fiber supplementation showed significant reduction in the intervention group in BMI ( p < 0.001 ) when compared with the control group . Moreover , water soluble fiber supplementation proven to improve FBS ( 163 to 119 mg/dl ) , HbA1c ( 8.5 to 7.5 % ) , insulin level ( 27.9 to 19.7 μIU/mL ) , C-peptide ( 5.8 to 3.8 ng/ml ) , HOMA.IR ( 11.3 to 5.8 ) and HOMA-β % ( 103 to 141 % ) . Conclusion The reduction in glycemic response was enhanced by combining soluble fiber to the normal diet . Consumption of foods containing moderate amounts of these fibers may improve glucose metabolism and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients .Trial registration Current Controlled Trials PHRC/HC/28/15 Background The current food pyramid guidelines have been criticized because of their complexity and the knowledge required for users to underst and the recommendations . Simplification of a dietary message to focus on a single key aspect of dietary quality , e.g. , fiber intake , may make the message much easier to comprehend and adhere , such that respondents can achieve greater weight loss , better dietary quality and overall metabolic health . Methods and design This is a r and omized controlled clinical trial with two equal sized arms . In total , 240 obese adults who meet diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome will be r and omized to one of the two conditions : 1 ) a high fiber diet and 2 ) the American Heart Association ( AHA ) diet .  In the high fiber diet condition , patients will be given instruction only on achieving daily dietary fiber intake of 30 g or more . In the AHA diet condition , patients will be instructed to make the several dietary changes recommended by the AHA 2006 guidelines . The trial examines participant weight loss and dietary quality as well as changes in components of the metabolic syndrome , inflammatory biomarkers , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels , insulin levels , and glycosolated hemoglobin . Potential mediators , i.e. , diet adherence and perceived ease of the diet , and the intervention effect on weight change will also be examined . Discussion sThe purpose of this paper is to outline the study design and methods for testing the simple message of increasing dietary fiber . If the simple dietary approach is found efficacious for weight loss ; and , improves dietary quality , metabolic health , and adherence , it might then be used to develop a simple public health message . Trial registration OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of a mixture of acacia fiber , psyllium fiber , and fructose ( AFPFF ) with polyethylene glycol 3350 combined with electrolytes ( PEG+E ) in the treatment of children with chronic functional constipation ( CFC ) ; and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of AFPFF in the treatment of children with CFC . STUDY DESIGN This was a r and omized , open label , prospect i ve , controlled , parallel-group study involving 100 children ( M/F : 38/62 ; mean age ± SD : 6.5 ± 2.7 years ) who were diagnosed with CFC according to the Rome III Criteria . Children were r and omly divided into 2 groups : 50 children received AFPFF ( 16.8 g daily ) and 50 children received PEG+E ( 0.5 g/kg daily ) for 8 weeks . Primary outcome measures were frequency of bowel movements , stool consistency , fecal incontinence , and improvement of other associated gastrointestinal symptoms . Safety was assessed with evaluation of clinical adverse effects and growth measurements . RESULTS Compliance rates were 72 % for AFPFF and 96 % for PEG+E. A significant improvement of constipation was seen in both groups . After 8 weeks , 77.8 % of children treated with AFPFF and 83 % of children treated with PEG+E had improved ( P = .788 ) . Neither PEG+E nor AFPFF caused any clinical ly significant side effects during the entire course of the study period . CONCLUSIONS In this r and omized study , we did not find any significant difference between the efficacy  of AFPFF and PEG+E in the treatment of children with CFC . Both medications were proved to be safe for CFC treatment , but PEG+E was better accepted by children To examine whether supplement of dietary fibre may improve compliance to a very low calorie diet ( VLCD ) a nutrition powder providing 388 kcal/day ( men : 466 kcal/day ) was compared with a similar version containing plant fibre 30 g/day . Twenty-two obese patients entered the study . After a baseline habitual diet , they were r and omized to two weeks of treatment in a single blind design to either VLCD with or without dietary fibre . Subsequently , they were crossed over for further 2 weeks of treatment . All patients completed the study . The two groups had similar weight losses ( about 10 kg/4 weeks ) , and dietary fibre did not improve this result . During VLCD with fibre  hunger ratings were significantly lower than during VLCD without fibre ( fibre effect , ANOVA ; P less than 0.01 ) . Bowel movements decreased from 1.9/day on habitual diet to 0.7/day on VLCD without fibre , but increased to 1.0/day by fibre supplement ( fibre effect , P less than 0.01 ) . No effect of fibre supplementation to VLCD was found on satiety , consistency of faeces and flatulence . The supplement of dietary fibre did not influence plasma concentrations of divalent cations as calcium , iron or magnesium , nor did it add any lowering effect on plasma glucose , cholesterol or triglyceride to that of VLCD . In conclusion , the supplement of dietary fibre to VLCD may improve compliance by reducing hunger and increasing the number of bowel movements , without impairment of absorption of divalent cations
RESULTS The present study indicated that the efficacy of various fiber supplements on losing weight is variable .
Several mechanisms related to physicochemical properties of fibers such as solubility , fermentability and viscosity rates can be involved in their anti-obesity effects .
Dextrin , Mannan ( gum Arabic ) and pectin-rich fiber ( lupin kernel ) with no dietary interventions indicated a reduction in body weight and energy intake , while from clinical point of view , their effects were not considerable .
Overall , findings indicated that the efficacy of fiber supplements on obesity management is dependent on their contents and physicochemical properties .
It seems that fiber supplements with no weight-loss interventions did not have considerable antiobesity effects .
BACKGROUND Previous trials have reported beneficial effects of isolated and complex fiber supplements in obesity treatment .
However , recommending fiber supplements in obese subjects remains controversial .
To the best of our knowledge , no systematic review has up date d the data on the effects of fiber supplements on obesity since 2010 and the need exists for a systematic review on this topic .
Accordingly , a systematic review was undertaken to summarize the efficacy of different types of fiber supplements as a complementary treatment for weight management .