An epidemiological study on relationship between intake of dietary fiber and colonic diseases

Abstract

Effects of dietary fibers against the development of colonic diseases such as colonic polyps andcolonic diverticula were studied. Fifty cases of colonic polyps (Group 1) and 33 cases of colonic diverticula (Group 2) were subjected to the study and compared with normal controls (Group 3) who hadreceived the National Nutrition Survey. Meals were weighed for three consecutive days according to theNational Nutrition Survey, and weight of dietary fibers was estimated by dietary fiber analysis using Southgate's method. Daily intake of dietary fibers was 18.2±5.44g, 17.4±5.07g, 21.1±6.57g, in Group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The values of Group 1 and 2 were significantly lower than that of Group 3, and there wasno difference between Group 1 and 2. As to conponents of dietary fibers, there was a significantdifference in the intake of hemicellulose and cellulose and no difference in the intake of lignin betweenpatient groups and controls. In conclusion, it was thought that increase of dietary fiber intake might inhibit the development ofcolonic polyps and colonic diverticula. © 1985, The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. All rights reserved.