The influence of viscosity of intestinal content on nutrient absorption
1995
Fidler, N. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Biotechnical Fac., Zootechnical Dept.)
Viscous polysaccharides have as dietary fibres important physiological functions. Their influence increases with viscosity. Viscosity of gastro-intestinal digesta impairs efficiency of peristaltic mixing and inhibits diffusion of nutritients across intestinal border. Circumstances in organism are very complex and at current stage of knowledge cannot be sufficiently simulated in vitro. Such fibres are chiefly: guar gum, pectins, carboxymetylcellulose and konjac mannan. Soluble polysaccharide from oats ((1 - 3) (1 - 4) - beta - D - glucan) has similar properties. Some basic steps of discovering the mechanism through which nonstarch polysaccharides affect carbohydrate (glucose) and lipid (cholesterol) mechanism in humans are presented. Because of their influence on delayed increase in blood glucose and decreasing LDL cholesterol, they can be used in diabetes hyperlipidaemia control. We also summarize influence of viscous substances on delayed gastric emptying, reduced effectiveness of intestinal mixing, increase of intestinal unstirred layer and prolonged mouth to caecum transit time.
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