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SPORTS NUTRITION & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
Dietary Fibre Inulin has well documented physiological effects, which aids the body's functions relating to carbohydrate and fat metabolism, improving weight management and sports nutrition. Due to it's physiological effects on the body, inulin is characterized as a soluble of dietary fibre, but does not diminish intestinal absorption of certain minerals or trace elements, a recognized concern with other dietary fibres. Research indicates that SCFA's, produced from regular consumption of inulin, enhance the absorption of water, divalent ions (particularly Ca2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+) and electrolytes – important considerations in sports nutrition. Effect of Inulin diet on the absorption of Cat ions:
Previously mentioned, dietary fibre inulin only makes a modest indirect caloric contribution through the calorie value of it's fermentation products in the colon. When metabolized in this manner the efficiency is much lower than when carbohydrates are digested by enzymes, absorbed from the small intestine and directly metabolized by the liver. However, research suggests that, like some other physiological dietary fibres, inulin may also affect the small intestinal transit of other nutrients into the colon thus reducing their caloric value DIABETIC: Upon ingestion, inulin is not hydrolysed into monosaccharide in the upper intestinal tract and enters the large intestine unchanged. As a result inulin has a index of zero, neither increasing the glycaemia nor the insulin levels in the blood, making it an ideal food ingredient for diabetics. The use of inulin as food for diabetics is documented since early this century. MECHANISM OF ACTION: DuBurg Dietary Fiber Inulin suppresses appetite and mediates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism for relatively long periods of time. Dietary Fibre Inulin, a complex non-digestible carbohydrate, is slowly metabolized (being fermented by colon micro flora to produce SCFA's and lactic acid that the body uses) for long-term energy, rather than the normal metabolic pathway for digestible carbohydrates involving breakdown by digestive enzymes and relatively rapid absorption in the small intestine. This slow method of metabolism has the advantage of providing a glycemic index of zero, preventing hunger based on the fact that an individual does not enter a hypoglycaemic state. Diets high in dietary fibre can also help with weight control in that fibre absorbs water, by doing this is not only creates a feeling of fullness but it also slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach which makes an individual feel longer and helps to stave off the urge to snack. Research suggest that in addition to appetite suppression the SCFA's (particularly prop ionic acid) increase glycolysis and decrease gluconeogenesis, normalizing blood glucose levels over extended periods of time and helping to reduce lipogenesis, reducing blood lipid levels particularly low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides. (Because LDL carries most of the cholesterol, it helps in lowering the cholesterol levels in the blood, this leads to less plaque formation which would block blood vessels (atherosclerosis*); thereby reducing the risk of hypertension, strokes and Coronary Heart Disease!) Research further suggests that short chain fatty acids inhibit fat production by regulating the key enzyme carnitine acyltransferase that converts calories into fat. Normally after a meal carbohydrates are stores as glycogen in the liver and muscles to be used by the body for energy. When glycogen stores become fu;;, the brain receives a message signaling the body to convert excess carbohydrates to fat. Studies indicate that inulin temporarily regulates this process, resulting in over time a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride, phospholipid and cholesterol levels, primarily the low density lipoprotein fraction (LDL), while not affecting the high density (HDL) fraction, as a consequence the HDL/LDL ratio is improved. (HDL is inversely related to Coronary Heart Disease, suggesting that HDL may in some way protect against the development of atherosclerosis* and heart disease) Soluble fibres appear to have greater potential to alter serum lipid levels that do insoluble fibers. Significant reduction in the level of serum total cholesterol by soluble fiber was found in 88% of the human studies reviewed. Of the studies measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 84% reported significant reductions. No significant changes were reported in 75% of the studies that reported high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. page 1/ page 2/ page 3/ page 4/ |
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