Dietary fibre, lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease

This paper aims to review available information linking dietary fibre intake, lipid handling and metabolism, and risk for cardiovascular disease. Data obtained in vitro, in animal models, from clinical studies or epidemiological surveys have been combined. From available literature, it appears that dietary fibre can help to reduce fat and energy intake, alter the process of dietary fat digestion and absorption, increase ileal cholesterol and bile acids losses, blunt postprandial rise in insulinemia and triglycerides, lower plasma and LDL cholesterol and improve insulin sensitivity. Because dietary fibre can weaken several key cardiovascular risk factors, diets rich in dietary fibre are generally associated to a reduced cardiovascular risk. Given habitual fibre intakes have fallen well below recommended intakes, important efforts have to be done to ensure appropriate dietary fibre intakes in most people.