Fiber Improves Metabolic & Cardiovascular Markers

While a diet rich in fiber seems to protect against the Metabolic Syndrome, there is scarce information about the role of fiber intake in patients who have these conditions.  Valesca Dall’Alba, from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), and colleagues enrolled 44 type-2 diabetics, average age 62 years, and randomly assigned each subject to one of two groups: an intervention group – who consumed a usual diet supplemented with an additional 10 grams per day of guar gum; or a control group who consumed a usual diet only.  After  six weeks, the fiber-supplemented group decreased glycated hemoglobin (HbA4c) by 0.31% and lowered trans fatty acid levels from 71 to 57 mg/L; their waist circumference dropped from 103.5 cm to 102.3 cm. The only change in the control group was a 0.9 cm reduction in waist circumference.  The study authors conclude that: “the addition of [soluble fiber] to the usual diet improved cardiovascular and metabolic profiles by reducing [waist circumference], [glycated hemoglobin], [urinary albumin excretion], and [serum trans-fatty acids].”