Mineral balance of women fed oat bran or karaya gum

Includes bibliographical references (pages [101]-115).This study examined the effects of two sources of soluble fiber on the apparent balance of iron, magnesium, manganese, and chromium among 12 adult free-living women who served as their own control for 4 weeks. Five of the subjects consumed products made with 10 g karaya gum, while 7 of the subjects consumed 80.5 g oat bran in the form of three muffins and one serving of hot cereal. Each subject consumed her usual diet for 1 week (control period). During week 2, fiber products were gradually introduced into their normal diets replacing appropriate equivalent food exchanges to prevent changes in caloric intake. During weeks 3 and 4, each subject consumed the entire amount of fiber products. Diet diaries and 24-hr urinary and fecal collections were obtained for the three last days of weeks 1 and 4. Nutrient intakes were calculated using Nutritionist III, a microcomputer nutrient analysis program. All urine and fecal samples were analyzed for iron, magnesium, manganese, and chromium using a DCP-Spectraspan V emission spectrophotometer . After eating oat bran products, a significant decrease (p<.05) in mean chromium and manganese intake and a significant (pc.Ol) increase in mean magnesium intake was observed. Mean iron intake also increased but not significantly. Fecal manganese excretion increased significantly in the oat bran group (p<.005) significantly lowering the apparent manganese balance. Iron balance was not significantly affected but became more negative from week 1 to week 4. Apparent chromium balance also decreased significantly (p<.025) and magnesium balance improved significantly (p<.05) after oat bran consumption. In the karaya gum group, only manganese was significantly affected. Its intake and fecal excretion increased and apparent balance became significantly (p<.05) more negative. Iron, chromium, and magnesium intake or excretion were not significantly altered by the incorporation of karaya gum in the diet. These results suggest that the addition of oat bran and karaya gum to a basal diet may adversely affect manganese and chromium balances. Iron balance is also adversely affected by both types of fiber. Magnesium balance may also be affected by karaya gum but not oat bran.M.S. (Master of Science