Glucose Responses to Z-Trim
researchers have found excessive glucagon secretion and lack
of suppression of glucagon after a glucose challenge in subjects
who are obese [24], have impaired glucose tolerance [25] or are
type 2 diabetics [26]. Previous studies reported declines in
glucagon responses after soluble fibers, including Oatrim [17]
and guar [23], but with the high amount of fiber, glucagon
response was somewhat higher than after the glucose solution.
While the women in our study had higher glucagon levels, their
glucose response levels were lower and insulin levels were not
different from those of the men, nor were they any more obese
or older than the men. All values are within normal ranges, and
these small dietary differences in response may not be of
physiological significance.
the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Ann Intern Med 101:
527–537, 1984.
3. Bloomgarten ZT: New and traditional treatment of glycemia in
NIDDM. Diabetes Care 19:295–299, 1996.
4. Leclere CJ, Champ M, Boillot J, Guille G, Lecannu G, Molis C,
Bornet F, Krempf M, Delort-Laval J, Galmiche JP: Role of viscous
guar gums in lowering the glycemic response after a solid meal.
Am J Clin Nutr 59:914–921, 1994.
5. Osilesi O, Trout DL, Glover EE, Harper SM, Koh ET, Behall KM,
O’Dorisio TM, Tartt J: Use of xanthan gum in dietary management
of diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr 42:597–603, 1985.
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glucose and insulin responses in adults. Am J Clin Nutr 47:428–
432, 1988.
Obesity is an international epidemic [27] and is particularly
prevalent in the United States. International comparisons of
intake demonstrate that carbohydrate consumption (in g/day) in
the United States is among the lowest in the world [28]. The
most important use of this new zero-energy fiber may be in its
use as a fiber supplement and fat replacer, thus increasing
carbohydrate and fiber intake and reducing both total energy
and fat intake. These dietary changes would promote weight
loss and reduction in coronary and diabetic risk factors.
7. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Lee KH, Moser PB: Blood glucose and
hormone levels in adult males fed four refined fibers. Nutr Rep Int
30:537–543, 1984.
8. Behall KM, Howe JC: Effect of long-term consumption of amylose
vs amylopectin starch on metabolic variables in human subjects.
Am J Clin Nutr 61:334–340, 1995.
9. Wolever TMS, Katzman-Relle L, Jenkins AL, Vuksan V, Josse
RG, Jenkins DJA: Glycemic index of 102 complex carbohydrate
foods in patients with diabetes. Nutr Res 14:651–669, 1994.
10. Pastors JG, Blaisdell PW, Balm TK, Asplin CM, Pohl SL: Psyl-
lium fiber reduces rise in postprandial glucose and insulin concen-
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Nutr 53:1431–1435, 1991.
CONCLUSION
11. USDA, USDHHS: “Nutrition and Your Health. Year 2000 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans,” 5th ed. Washington, DC: US Govern-
ment Printing Office, 2000.
In summary, higher levels of this insoluble fiber extract
(Z-trim) elicited small but significant declines in glucose and
insulin responses. Peak responses were delayed and moderated
to result in a slower decline. The highest amount (0.33 g/kg
body weight) was tolerated well by subjects with minimal
adverse effects. This initial dose-response test opens the way
for research to determine effects of chronic consumption on
these responses and on risk factors for cardiovascular disease
and diabetes mellitus.
12. Gorman MA, Bowman C, American Dietetic Association: Position
of the American Dietetic Association. Health implications of di-
etary fiber. J Am Diet Assoc 93:1446–1447, 1993.
13. US Department of Health and Human Services: “Healthy People
2010: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objec-
tives.” Washington, DC: US Public Health Service, 2000.
14. McIvor ME, Cummings CC, van Duyn MA, Leo TA, Margolis S,
Behall KM, Michnowski JE, Mendeloff AI: Long-term effects of
guar gum on blood lipids. Atherosclerosis 60:7–13, 1986.
15. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Yuhaniak I, Canary J: Diets containing
high amylose vs amylopectin starch: effects on metabolic variables
in human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 49:337–344, 1989.
16. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J: The effect of particle size
of whole-grain flour on plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon and
thyroid-stimulating hormone in humans. J Am Coll Nutr 18:591–
597, 1999.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank all the volunteer subjects; Willa
Mae Clark, Demetria Fletcher, and Razia Hussain for technical
assistance in conducting the study and analysis of samples;
gentle and unfailingly accurate phlebotomist Elisa Armero; and
Human Study Facility Director Evelyn Lashley and research
cooks Sue Burns, Linda Lynch and Joe Hall, whose excellent
meal preparation, cheerful interaction with subjects and deliv-
ery of the test menus made these studies possible.
17. Hallfrisch J, Scholfield D, Behall KM: Diets containing Oatrim
improve glucose and insulin responses of moderately hypercholes-
terolemic men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 61:379–384, 1995.
18. van der Sluijs AMC, Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J: The
effect of cooking Oatrim containing beneficial soluble beta-
glucans on glucose, insulin, and glucagon in human subjects.
Cereal Foods World 40:662–663, 1995.
19. Inglett GE: Method for making a soluble dietary fiber composition
from oats. US Patent number 4,996,063, February, 1991.
20. Inglett GE: New grain products and their beneficial components.
Nutr Today 36:66–68, 2001.
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