Effect of cellulose incorporation in a low fiber diet on fecal excretion and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iron in adolescent girls

Abstract

The investigation was conducted on nine healthy, nonanemic adolescent girls of 16 to 18 yr of age. Balance studies were carried out for 21 days each on low and high fiber diets. The high fiber diet contained 21 g pure cellulose added to the low fiber diet. Food, fecal, and serum samples of the subjects were analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Except for fiber and cellulose the mean diet and nutrient intakes of the subjects were approximately the same during both trials. Addition of cellulose to low fiber diet significantly increased the fecal excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and iron and the serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and iron levels decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01). These studies show that cellulose lowered the serum calcium, phosphorus, and iron levels. Therefore, high cellulose intakes may not be advisable.