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Crude fibre, dietary fibre and atherosclerosis
138
letter
to the Editors
CRUDE
FIBRE,
DIETARY
FIBRE
AND
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Sk, Most of the calories eaten by man are derived from starch,
the latter is formed
always within the walls of plant cells. Man has enzymes which digest starch but the cellular wall is resistant that are resistant distinguish
to hydrolysis
by enzymes.
The skeletal
remains of plant cells
to digestion by enzymes of man may be called dietary fibre (DF) to
it from crude fibre (CF). Dietary
tibre, the group of substances
in the ileum and colon of man, is not merely cellulose, and one variety not physically
the same as another. has employed
SOUTHGATE~
dietary
that remain of cellulose is
the term
‘unavailable
tibre, and he has set forth modern methods
uent substances
-
cellulose,
lignin, pentosans
yet no food tables have been published
carbohydrates’
of analysis
to describe
by which the constit-
and so forth -
can be estimated.
which record the unavailable
As
carbohydrates
present in the diet of man. Crude fibre is determined tion of Official Agricultural portion of carbohydrate subsequently cellulose,
methods
resistant
of the Associa-
Crude fibre is the
by boiling first with sulphuric acid and
hydroxide 2. Crude
extremely
accepted
and is shown in food tables.
that resists extraction
with sodium
but lignin,
by internationally
Chemists
fibre is often
to sulphuric
stated
to be merely
acid, is also present].
Crude
fibre is not the same as dietary fibre but at the present time the former must serve as an approximate,
even if inaccurate,
fibre, that may protect
measure of the latter.
against diverticular
diseases,
It is dietary fibre, not crude
appendicitis4
and cancer of the
colons. Both Africans
coronary
heart disease and diverticular
south of the Sahara6,
(CF), 20 g/day, in natural
disease are extremely
many of whom still consume
carbohydrates
(plantains,
rare in all
large amounts
cassava,
of fibrc
yams, sweet potatoes,
millet) and lightly milled maize flour7. A hypothesis rich in dietary
has been proposed
fibre, might protect
cholesterolaemia*.
Your Journal
that natural
against
atherosclerosis
has not discussed natural
man. Would it be possible in future
to encourage
content
employed
of all starchy
One illustration,
carbohydrates among
carbohydrates,
many,
taken
authors
especially
and might reduce hyperfibre, the dietary to state
in experiments
from your Journal,
fibre of
the crude fibre
on animals
or man?
demonstrates
This enquiry was carried out with the aid of a grant from the British Heart Foundation. Atherosclerosis,
1972, 16: 138-140
those
the
CRUDE
FIBRE,
necessity
DIETARY
FIBRE
AND
to record crude fibre content
fibre (CF) content
derived
among data presented
139
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
of starchy
from a table
carbohydrates.
of tropical
The figures for crude
foodstuffs9
have been inserted
from a four months’ trial in cholesterol-fed
rat+.
CHOLESTEROL
CARBOHYDRATE
Rice bran
Staple
%
% Rice starch Rice starch Tapioca starch Tapioca starch
56 40 56 40
16 16
Other communications leguminous
Fibre (CF)g g/l00 g food
Serum
Liver
A orta
T/100 g
mslg
v%ls
0.1 2.1 1.0 3.0
371 255 205 130
48 28 24 16
17 11 8 4
which referred to ground cereals (CF 4.5 g/100 g)ir and
seeds such as Cajunas
carbohydrates,
especially
(CF 7.0 g/100
cajan
g)12 suggest
those rich in fibre, are hypocholesterolaemic
that
natural
in animals and
man13. In an earlier paper in your Journal, ground cereals protected not protectia.
butter-fed
Much research
Other diets reported
in your Journal chemical
thrombosis
only
cellulose did
their identityIs.
were said to contain all “essential ingredient+,
cellulose 17; they
that it may prove desirable
diets free of all natural
(Received
chemical
has not disclosed produced
both
atherosclerosis
and
in rats.
It is suggested
Woodgreen, Hamfishire
against atheroma;
into chow factors
but
contained
Purina chow (CF 4.5 g/100 g) derived from
rabbits
to re-examine
the role of synthetic
fibre in animal experiments.
Fordingbvidge, (Great Britain) March
21st,
HUGH TROWELL*
1972)
1 SOUTHGATE, D. A. T., Determination of carbohydrates in foods, Part 2, unavailable carbohydrates, J. Sci. Food Agr., 1969, 20: 331. 2 KENT-JONES, D. W. AND A. J, Aixos, Modern Cereal Chemistry, 6th ed., Food Trade Press, London, 1967, p. 564. disease of the colon: a deficiency disease of 3 PAIXTER, N. S. AND D. P. BURXITT, Diverticular Western civilization, Brit. Med. J., 1971, i: 450. 4 BURKITT, D. P., The aetiology of appendicitis, Brit. J. Surg., 1971, 58: 695. 5 BURKITT, D. P., Epidemiology of cancer of the colon and rectum, Cancer, 1971, 28: 1. 6 TROWELL, H. C., h’on-infective Disease in Africa, Arnold, London, 1960, p. 119-129 and 218. 7 LUBBE, A. M., A comparative study of rural and urban Venda males, dietary evaluation, S. African Med. J., 1971, 45: 1289. s TROWELL, H. C., Dietary fibre and coronary heart disease, Rev. Europ. d’lj‘tudes Clin. Biol., 1972, 17: 345; Ischaemic heart disease and dietary fiber, Amer. J. clin. Nutr., in press. 9 PLATT, B. S., Tables of representative values of foods commonly used in tropical countries, Stationery Office, London, 1971. Med. Res. Council Sfiec. Refit. Ser., 302, Her Majesty’s
* Formerly, (Uganda).
Consultant
Physician,
Uganda
Government,
Makerere
University,
Kampala
1972,
16: 138-140
Atherosclerosis,
II.
140
1‘KOWELL
VIJA~AGOPA~A~, I’. ANO I’. A. KARUP, Effect of dietary starches on the serum, aorta, and hepatic lipid levels in cholesterol-fed rats, Atherosclerosis, 1970, 11: 257. GOSLING, K. G., J. A. HAYES AND W. SEGRE-MACKAY, Induction of atheroma in cockcrels as a model for studying alterations in blood flow, J. .4 theroscler. Res., 1969, 9: 47. 11~~1, K. S. AND P. A. KARUP, Effects of certain Indian pulses on the serum, liver and aortic lipid levels in rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet, .4therosclevo.s~s, 1970, 11: 479. MATHLJR, K. S., XI. A. KHAX ANI) R. D. SHAR~IA, Hypocholesterolaemic a long-term study in man, Brit. d&fed., J. 1968, i: 30. KRITCHEVSKY,
D., AND
free diets, J.
S. A.
Experimental
TEPPER,
atherosclerosis
effect of Bengal
gram:
in rabbits fed cholesterol-
A4tkeroscler. Res., 1968, 8: 357.
KRITCHEVSKY,
D., I'. SALLATA
cholesterol-free
diets, I’art
AND
S. h.
2 (Influence
TEPPER,
of various
JCxperimental carbohydrates),
atherosclerosis J. Atheroscler.
in rabbits
Res.,
fed
1968, 8:
697. HOWARD, A. X., G. A. GRESHAM AND F. T. LINIXREEN, Lipoprotein studies on rats fed thrombogenie and atherogenic diets, J. Atheroscler. Hes.. 19C8, 8: 739. GREwAn%, G. .4. AND ,4. N. HOWARD, The independent production of atherosclerosis and thrombosis in the rat, Brit. J. Exp. Pathol., 1960, 41: 395.
Atherosclevosis,
1972, 16: 138-140
letter
to the Editors
CRUDE
FIBRE,
DIETARY
FIBRE
AND
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Sk, Most of the calories eaten by man are derived from starch,
the latter is formed
always within the walls of plant cells. Man has enzymes which digest starch but the cellular wall is resistant that are resistant distinguish
to hydrolysis
by enzymes.
The skeletal
remains of plant cells
to digestion by enzymes of man may be called dietary fibre (DF) to
it from crude fibre (CF). Dietary
tibre, the group of substances
in the ileum and colon of man, is not merely cellulose, and one variety not physically
the same as another. has employed
SOUTHGATE~
dietary
that remain of cellulose is
the term
‘unavailable
tibre, and he has set forth modern methods
uent substances
-
cellulose,
lignin, pentosans
yet no food tables have been published
carbohydrates’
of analysis
to describe
by which the constit-
and so forth -
can be estimated.
which record the unavailable
As
carbohydrates
present in the diet of man. Crude fibre is determined tion of Official Agricultural portion of carbohydrate subsequently cellulose,
methods
resistant
of the Associa-
Crude fibre is the
by boiling first with sulphuric acid and
hydroxide 2. Crude
extremely
accepted
and is shown in food tables.
that resists extraction
with sodium
but lignin,
by internationally
Chemists
fibre is often
to sulphuric
stated
to be merely
acid, is also present].
Crude
fibre is not the same as dietary fibre but at the present time the former must serve as an approximate,
even if inaccurate,
fibre, that may protect
measure of the latter.
against diverticular
diseases,
It is dietary fibre, not crude
appendicitis4
and cancer of the
colons. Both Africans
coronary
heart disease and diverticular
south of the Sahara6,
(CF), 20 g/day, in natural
disease are extremely
many of whom still consume
carbohydrates
(plantains,
rare in all
large amounts
cassava,
of fibrc
yams, sweet potatoes,
millet) and lightly milled maize flour7. A hypothesis rich in dietary
has been proposed
fibre, might protect
cholesterolaemia*.
Your Journal
that natural
against
atherosclerosis
has not discussed natural
man. Would it be possible in future
to encourage
content
employed
of all starchy
One illustration,
carbohydrates among
carbohydrates,
many,
taken
authors
especially
and might reduce hyperfibre, the dietary to state
in experiments
from your Journal,
fibre of
the crude fibre
on animals
or man?
demonstrates
This enquiry was carried out with the aid of a grant from the British Heart Foundation. Atherosclerosis,
1972, 16: 138-140
those
the
CRUDE
FIBRE,
necessity
DIETARY
FIBRE
AND
to record crude fibre content
fibre (CF) content
derived
among data presented
139
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
of starchy
from a table
carbohydrates.
of tropical
The figures for crude
foodstuffs9
have been inserted
from a four months’ trial in cholesterol-fed
rat+.
CHOLESTEROL
CARBOHYDRATE
Rice bran
Staple
%
% Rice starch Rice starch Tapioca starch Tapioca starch
56 40 56 40
16 16
Other communications leguminous
Fibre (CF)g g/l00 g food
Serum
Liver
A orta
T/100 g
mslg
v%ls
0.1 2.1 1.0 3.0
371 255 205 130
48 28 24 16
17 11 8 4
which referred to ground cereals (CF 4.5 g/100 g)ir and
seeds such as Cajunas
carbohydrates,
especially
(CF 7.0 g/100
cajan
g)12 suggest
those rich in fibre, are hypocholesterolaemic
that
natural
in animals and
man13. In an earlier paper in your Journal, ground cereals protected not protectia.
butter-fed
Much research
Other diets reported
in your Journal chemical
thrombosis
only
cellulose did
their identityIs.
were said to contain all “essential ingredient+,
cellulose 17; they
that it may prove desirable
diets free of all natural
(Received
chemical
has not disclosed produced
both
atherosclerosis
and
in rats.
It is suggested
Woodgreen, Hamfishire
against atheroma;
into chow factors
but
contained
Purina chow (CF 4.5 g/100 g) derived from
rabbits
to re-examine
the role of synthetic
fibre in animal experiments.
Fordingbvidge, (Great Britain) March
21st,
HUGH TROWELL*
1972)
1 SOUTHGATE, D. A. T., Determination of carbohydrates in foods, Part 2, unavailable carbohydrates, J. Sci. Food Agr., 1969, 20: 331. 2 KENT-JONES, D. W. AND A. J, Aixos, Modern Cereal Chemistry, 6th ed., Food Trade Press, London, 1967, p. 564. disease of the colon: a deficiency disease of 3 PAIXTER, N. S. AND D. P. BURXITT, Diverticular Western civilization, Brit. Med. J., 1971, i: 450. 4 BURKITT, D. P., The aetiology of appendicitis, Brit. J. Surg., 1971, 58: 695. 5 BURKITT, D. P., Epidemiology of cancer of the colon and rectum, Cancer, 1971, 28: 1. 6 TROWELL, H. C., h’on-infective Disease in Africa, Arnold, London, 1960, p. 119-129 and 218. 7 LUBBE, A. M., A comparative study of rural and urban Venda males, dietary evaluation, S. African Med. J., 1971, 45: 1289. s TROWELL, H. C., Dietary fibre and coronary heart disease, Rev. Europ. d’lj‘tudes Clin. Biol., 1972, 17: 345; Ischaemic heart disease and dietary fiber, Amer. J. clin. Nutr., in press. 9 PLATT, B. S., Tables of representative values of foods commonly used in tropical countries, Stationery Office, London, 1971. Med. Res. Council Sfiec. Refit. Ser., 302, Her Majesty’s
* Formerly, (Uganda).
Consultant
Physician,
Uganda
Government,
Makerere
University,
Kampala
1972,
16: 138-140
Atherosclerosis,
II.
140
1‘KOWELL
VIJA~AGOPA~A~, I’. ANO I’. A. KARUP, Effect of dietary starches on the serum, aorta, and hepatic lipid levels in cholesterol-fed rats, Atherosclerosis, 1970, 11: 257. GOSLING, K. G., J. A. HAYES AND W. SEGRE-MACKAY, Induction of atheroma in cockcrels as a model for studying alterations in blood flow, J. .4 theroscler. Res., 1969, 9: 47. 11~~1, K. S. AND P. A. KARUP, Effects of certain Indian pulses on the serum, liver and aortic lipid levels in rats fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet, .4therosclevo.s~s, 1970, 11: 479. MATHLJR, K. S., XI. A. KHAX ANI) R. D. SHAR~IA, Hypocholesterolaemic a long-term study in man, Brit. d&fed., J. 1968, i: 30. KRITCHEVSKY,
D., AND
free diets, J.
S. A.
Experimental
TEPPER,
atherosclerosis
effect of Bengal
gram:
in rabbits fed cholesterol-
A4tkeroscler. Res., 1968, 8: 357.
KRITCHEVSKY,
D., I'. SALLATA
cholesterol-free
diets, I’art
AND
S. h.
2 (Influence
TEPPER,
of various
JCxperimental carbohydrates),
atherosclerosis J. Atheroscler.
in rabbits
Res.,
fed
1968, 8:
697. HOWARD, A. X., G. A. GRESHAM AND F. T. LINIXREEN, Lipoprotein studies on rats fed thrombogenie and atherogenic diets, J. Atheroscler. Hes.. 19C8, 8: 739. GREwAn%, G. .4. AND ,4. N. HOWARD, The independent production of atherosclerosis and thrombosis in the rat, Brit. J. Exp. Pathol., 1960, 41: 395.
Atherosclevosis,
1972, 16: 138-140