SOLUBLE FIBER - EFFECT ON CARBOHYDRATE AND LIPID-METABOLISM

Dietary fiber consumption has been associated with a decrease in diabe tes and atherosclerotic diseases in population surveys. The contributi on of soluble fiber (compared to insoluble fiber) to each of these pro blems has been investigated in several ways. This paper reviews the ro le which soluble fiber consumption plays in carbohydrate and lipid met abolism. The effects of specific fibers on glucose and insulin respons es are examined; possible mechanisms responsible for the described eff ects are discussed. Epidemiologic evidence that consumption of foods c ontaining soluble fiber contributes to decreased atherosclerotic disea se is reviewed. Studies of administration of soluble fiber to hyperlip idemic males and females and normolipidemic subjects are examined with respect to changes in plasma lipids. Soluble fiber appears to play an important role in preventing and possibly treating diabetes and hyper lipidemia, diseases common to Westernized countries.