Expanding health halo: Fiber consumption linked to reduced risk of lung disease

10 Apr 2019 --- Dietary fiber may shield against lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as it boosts the production of anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). This is according to a new mouse study from the Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs at the University of Newcastle, Australia and the Centre for Inflammation, which is a partnership between the University of Technology, Sydney and the Centenary Institute, Australia. The findings could prove useful for people at risk of COPD and help develop new therapeutic treatments. However, the researchers note that fiber doesn’t protect against every COPD symptom so it should be consumed as a supplement alongside currently approved interventions and not as a replacement. 

“Diet can be an important addition to current treatments to help sustain the quality of life in patients and potentially influence the development of COPD in those at risk. Public health bodies should consider targeting diet and fiber as an additional safe and inexpensive treatment for lung disease,” says Professor Phil Hansbro, lead researcher and Director of the Centre for Inflammation.

“This research adds to the evidence on the importance of a healthy diet in managing chronic lung conditions, but the importance of exercise should not be underestimated,” Professor Antonio Spanevello, Head of the European Respiratory Society tells NutritionInsigtht.

“A healthy diet in conjunction with regular exercise, and potentially pulmonary rehabilitation programs for suitable patients are both important lifestyle interventions that promote better lung health,” he notes.

“Our previous research has established how fiber supplements can be used to treat asthma. Now, our findings suggest fiber could be used to not just treat but also help prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” says Professor Hansbro.

COPD is an umbrella term for progressive lung conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma, affecting one in seven Australians over the age of 40. COPD is characterized by difficulty breathing and causes include smoking, long-term exposure to air pollutants and a rare genetic disorder.

People may suffer from mild COPD without being aware of it while for others that show severe symptoms, quality of life may be significantly influenced. COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, according to the researchers, and existing treatments are only partially effective, while some may not be effective at all.

The new study exposed mice to cigarette smoke – one of the leading causes of COPD – to trigger the onset of the disease. Simultaneously, the diet of some mice was supplemented with fermentable fiber.

The findings showed that cigarette smoke reduced the production of anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids but that the resulting inflammation could be offset by a high fiber diet.

“We found that dietary fiber is able to reduce lung inflammation and damage, resulting in improved lung function,” explains Professor Hansbro. “For the first time, we have also connected these changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome and its production of protective metabolites.”

Spanevello also notes that industry could contribute toin reducing the burden of lung disease by supporting studies and randomized control trials that will demonstrate the efficacy of healthy diet and exercise, particularly in patients with COPD.

The study was presented at the Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science 2019. 

According to a 2018 consumer survey by Innova Market Insights, 44 percent of US consumers are increasing their consumption of fiber, with 33 percent of UK consumers doing so as well. At the same time, 21 percent average annual growth has been reported in new product launches carrying a fiber claim.

Earlier this year, a Lancet study found that a higher intake level of dietary fiber and whole grains is being linked with a lower risk of non-communicable diseases, body weight and cholesterol levels. 

As fiber keeps gaining traction, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its “approved fibers” list. Resistant Starch 4 (RS4) is the latest ingredient to be added to the list under the new Nutrition Facts labeling regulations, which are set to begin in January 2020. The initial list was released last year, MGP Ingredients submitted a citizen’s request for RS4 to be included in the definition and, this request has now been fulfilled as the agency has confirmed that RS4 sources will be added to the definition of dietary fiber. 

Nexira, TIC Gums and other industry players are also moving forward with a plan to submit a citizen’s petition to the FDA to classify gum acacia as a dietary fiber. The group is hoping for approval with the agency this spring.

By Kristiana Lalou