SUGAR-BEET FIBER INCREASES CHOLESTEROL AND REDUCES BILE-ACID EXCRETION FROM THE SMALL-BOWEL

The effect of addition of sugar-beet fibre to the diet on sterol excre tion from the small intestine was studied in nine ileostomy subjects. A constant low-fibre diet was given in two 3 d periods with and withou t 32 g sugar-beet fibre/d in random order. Care was taken to minimize bacterial alteration of the ileostomy contents. The addition of sugar- beet fibre increased net cholesterol excretion by 52 (SE 9) % (P < 0.0 1), from 294 (SE 99) to 451 (SE 124) mg/d, and decreased bile acid exc retion by 26 (SE 15) % (P < 0.01), from 764 (SE 118) to 567 (SE 96) mg /d. The increased cholesterol and decreased bile acid excretion found with sugar-beet fibre addition is different from the pattern associate d with fibre sources such as pectin and oat fibre. The interaction bet ween dietary fibre and sterol metabolism may be mediated, therefore, b y different mechanisms depending on the fibre source.