DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF A HIGH DIETARY FIBER, MIXED GRAIN CEREAL IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA

A high dietary fiber breakfast cereal (Disivit(TM)), prepared from oat s, corn, wheat and soybean, was tested for its therapeutic efficacy in patients. suffering from constipation and hyperlipidemia. In a double -blind cross-over trial, a daily dose of 50 grams Disivit(TM) cereal, containing 12.5 grams dietary fiber, was administered to 20 constipate d patients for 2 weeks, and to 20 hyperlipidemic patients for 4 weeks, and cereal was alternated with a low fiber placebo given for a simila r time period; fiber and placebo were given in random order. In the co nstipated patients taking fiber cereal, bowel movement frequency and s tool consistency improved significantly and laxative intake was reduce d. ln the hyperlipidemic patients taking fiber, the serum cholesterol dropped significantly (but also during placebo treatment), the serum t riglycerides dropped (but without attaining statistical significance) and the HDL and LDL levels were not altered. In summary, the fiber cer eal appears to be a suitable short-term treatment for constipation, al though its long-term efficacy requires further study. Regarding hyperl ipidemia, the trend of the cereal to lower the serum cholesterol and t riglycerides warrants further study, by adding more soluble fiber to t he cereal formula or using a longer treatment period.