PSYLLIUM HUSK FIBER SUPPLEMENTATION TO SOYBEAN AND COCONUT OIL DIETS OF HUMANS - EFFECT ON FAT DIGESTIBILITY AND FECAL FATTY-ACID EXCRETION

The effects of psyllium fibre supplementation to polyunsaturated fatty acid rich soybean oil and saturated fatty acid rich coconut oil diets on fat digestibility and faecal fatty acid excretion were investigate d in healthy humans. The study consisted of four 7-day experimental pe riods. Participants consumed soybean oil (SO), soybean oil plus psylli um fibre (20 g/day) (SO + PF), coconut oil (CO) and coconut oil plus p syllium fibre (20g/day) (CO + PF) diets. Laboratory diet provided 30% calories from fat (20% from test oils and 10% from basal diet), 15% ca lories from protein and 55% calories from carbohydrate. Fat digestibil ity was significantly lower and faecal fat excretion was significantly higher with SO + PF diet than SO diet and with CO + PF diet than CO d iet. Faecal excretion of myristic and lauric acids was not affected by test diets. Percent faecal palmitic acid excretion was significantly higher during psyllium supplementation periods. Higher faecal linoleic acid excretion was observed with soybean oil diets compared with coco nut oil diets. Increased faecal fat loss, decreased fat digestibility and increased faecal palmitic acid excretion with psyllium supplementa tion may partly explain the hypocholesterolaemic action of psyllium fi bre.