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Effects of high-fiber diet on fecal blood content (HemoQuant assay) in healthy subjects

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Abstract

Consumption of high-fiber diets has been recommended prior to fecal blood testing to increase bleeding from polyps, cancer, and other lesions associated with mucosal erosion in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of a high-fiber diet on fecal hemoglobin loss was examined in 17 healthy subjects during two dietary periods: (1) self-selected diet, (2) same diet plus 24 g/day dietary fiber (Fiber One Cereal). Five-day fecal composites were weighed and homogenized, and hemoglobin concentration was determined by the HemoQuant test. Average daily fecal weight increased from 145±90 g to 281±91 g (P=0.0001), fecal hemoglobin concentrations decreased from 0.98±0.48 to 0.48±0.28 mg/g (P=0.0001), while daily fecal hemoglobin contents were similar (P=0.39) for self-selected and added-fiber diets, respectively. In these healthy individuals a high-fiber diet had no effect on mucosal bleeding, but the increased fecal weight significantly lowered fecal hemoglobin concentration. Clinical implications are considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, 55404, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Joanne L. Slavin PhD, Elizabeth A. Melcher MS, Mary Sundeen BS & Samuel Schwartz MD

  2. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, 1334 Eckles Avenue, University of Minnesota, 55108, St. Paul, Minnesota

    Joanne L. Slavin PhD, Elizabeth A. Melcher MS, Mary Sundeen BS & Samuel Schwartz MD

Authors
  1. Joanne L. Slavin PhD
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  2. Elizabeth A. Melcher MS
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  3. Mary Sundeen BS
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  4. Samuel Schwartz MD
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Additional information

This work was supported by NCI grant RO3 CA 43989-01 and by the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation.

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Slavin, J.L., Melcher, E.A., Sundeen, M. et al. Effects of high-fiber diet on fecal blood content (HemoQuant assay) in healthy subjects. Digest Dis Sci 36, 929–932 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297143

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297143

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