Dietary fibre in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms

Abstract

Dietary fibre is associated with a wide range of health benefits including: reduction of hypertension, coronary heart diseases and hyperlipidaemia; improvement in glucose tolerance levels; reduced risk of cancer; and enhanced weight reduction (British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), 2009). It has been suggested that high levels of dietary fibre intake, can lead to a decreased prevalence of the following gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer, diverticular disease (DD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation and haemorrhoids (Anderson et al, 2009). Despite positive health claims, there is limited evidence to support the use of dietary fibre and fibre supplements in clinical gastroenterology. Indeed, there may be conditions where types of fibre may be harmful or exacerbate bowel symptoms.