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[Relationship between dietary fibers and constipation (author's transl)]
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale
|July 11, 1981
Summary
Constipated women exhibit significantly longer mouth-to-anus transit times compared to controls, despite similar dietary fiber intake. This indicates transit time, not just fiber consumption, is crucial for constipation management.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting many individuals worldwide.
- Dietary fiber intake is often recommended for managing constipation.
- However, the relationship between fiber intake, transit time, and constipation requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dietary fiber intake, mouth-to-anus transit time, and constipation in women.
- To compare these parameters between women with constipation and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving twenty-two women diagnosed with constipation and twenty-two age-matched healthy controls.
- Assessment of mean daily total dietary fiber and cereal fiber intake.
- Measurement of mean mouth-to-anus transit time using established methods.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in mean daily total dietary fiber intake (12.4g vs 12.7g) or mean daily cereal fiber intake (3.3g vs 3.6g) between constipated women and controls.
- Mean mouth-to-anus transit time was significantly longer in constipated women (66.8 hours) compared to controls (48.5 hours) (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Dietary fiber intake alone may not be the sole determinant of constipation.
- Delayed mouth-to-anus transit time is a significant physiological factor associated with constipation in women, irrespective of similar fiber consumption levels.