[Why, when and how dietary fiber will be used in gastrointestinal disorders (author's transl)]

This paper reviews the current status of knowledge with relation to the effects of dietary fiber on intestinal physiology and pathology. Vegetable dietary fiber is a physical complex acting principally in the colon. Fibers have water-holding, cation exchange and absorptive properties and important effects on bacterial activity. Data on transit times, colonic intraluminal pressure and colonic motor activity, favour the view that fibers are interesting in the therapy of constipation, irrtable colon and diverticular disease. High residue diet must be recommended in this colonic disease. Indications are given for the choice, dosage and administration of dietary fibers.