Overview

Dietary Fiber

Definitions Fiber

sources used in pet uses of dietary

foods
Therapeutic

David L. Hammond, DVM, DACVIM

fiber

Definitions

Definitions

Carbohydrates Simple Sugars (monosaccharides, disaccharides) Complex Carbohydrates (polysaccharides, oligosaccharides)

Dietary

fiber
carbohydrate

Complex Resistant Plant

Starch ( bonds) Fiber ( bonds)

to mammalian digestive enzymes origin

Definitions
Crude

Dietary Fiber
Physiologic Properties Soluble Fiber Dietary Fiber Insoluble Fiber Fiber Components Pectin Gums Mucilages Hemicelluloses Hemicelluloses Cellulose Modified cellulose Lignin Fiber Source Fruits & vegetables Oats & oat bran Legumes (beans & lentils) Psyllium husks Vegetables Cereal grains Seed coats Wheat bran

fiber

Assay developed for wood pulp industry Also applied to feeds and forages Required on pet food labels Inaccurate
Total

dietary fiber (TDF)

Chemical method More complete detection of fiber

Dietary Fiber Bovine: Equine: Canine:

Dietary Fiber
Bacterial

70-80% E from SCFA ~ 30% E from SCFA < 10% E from SCFA

fiber fermentation short chain fatty acids (SCFA) & gas

butyrate, propionate & acetate energy source for cells lining the large intestine produce an acidic environment promote water & electrolyte absorption influences the numbers and types of bacteria found in large intestine (tends to favor beneficial bacteria & inhibit pathogens)

Rapidly Fermented Fibers

Water

Slowly Fermented Fibers

Insoluble

soluble form viscous gels Readily fermented in large intestine Tend to bind minerals (cations) Tend to bind digestive enzymes

in water

do not form gels

Resistant Tend

trapped within the gel

Slow

nutrient absorption

to bacterial fermentation not to bind digestive enzymes Tend not to bind minerals Tend to slow nutrient absorption

dose dependent

dose dependent

Large Bowel Fiber Fermentation

Pet Food Fiber Sources

pectin guar gum soy fiber bran beet pulp soybean hulls peanut hulls cellulose

Rapidly Fermented

Dietary fiber (% DM) Rice 1 Corn 14 Soybean meal 18 Soy mill run 69 Peanut hulls 85

Slowly Fermented

Pet Food Fiber Sources

Fiber Enhanced Dog Foods

Dietary fiber (% DM) Cellulose 99 Guar Gum 89 Pectin 74 Pysllium husks 74 Beet pulp 66

27%

% Fiber (DM)
Reg. Comm. 4% 1%

15%

<1.5% Low Fiber Moderate Fiber High Fiber

Definitions Prebiotic
functional

Therapeutic Uses of Fiber Obesity Diabetes

food non-digestible food ingredients that benefit the hosts health by selectively stimulating growth &/or activity of a limited number of bacteria dietary sources: soybeans, inulin, raw oats, unrefined wheat & barley, FOS, MOS, XOS & GOS

mellitus Hyperlipidemia Normalize intestinal motility Trichobezoars Colitis Constipation

Constipation
Maintain

Summary
Crude Fiber

adequate hydration Appropriate pharmacologic &/or surgical management Fiber-enhanced food (insoluble fibers)
multiple small meals decreases stool density normalizes transit time ( fecal bulk)

fiber = total dietary fiber enhanced diets may be useful in the management of several disorders: weight control, diabetes mellitus, trichobezoars hyperlipidemia, colitis & constipation Select the most appropriate fiber type/amount for the disease No single fiber source does it all