Researchers have discovered that FibrOmega has a positive effect on fecal bulking in healthy humans and also results in satiety. The ingredient can substantially increase total fiber intake, bringing dietary levels closer to current daily recommendations.
The FibrOmega study was carried out with 27 healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 60. Fifteen subjects were given supplements of the finely ground flax powder up to an average of 9g per day. The other 12 patients consumed a popular brand of psyllium fibre. The results showed that the FibrOmega diet produced satiety and an increase in the subject's fecal outputs suggested the product could be used as laxative.
On average FibrOmega has a fiber content of 42.8 percent, hence 60 percent soluble and 40 percent insoluble, and an omega-3 content of 4.2 percent.
"This fiber is great as a functional food for the low-carbohydrate market as it contains 35 percent protein and virtually no fiber-related carbohydrates," said Cameron Kupper, sales manager of functional foods at Bioriginal.
"Lots of consumers have been won over to low-carb diets, but they are starting to realize that a balanced diet is the best way to lose weight and flax fiber is a key ingredient in this."
Research has frequently shown that regular and sufficient consumption of dietary fiber has several health benefits for digestion, blood cholesterol levels and the regulation of appetite. Soluble fiber was the first whole food for which the Food and Drug Administration allowed a health claim on product labels, stating: "Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include soluble fiber from oatmeal may reduce the risk of heart disease."
However, the majority of Canadians are deficient in dietary fiber, consuming far less than the Institute of Medicine's recommended levels of 38 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women under the age of 50, and 30 grams and 21 grams respectively for those over 50.
The North American markets are seen as being ripe for expansion for fiber rich products as until now they have got most of the their dietary fiber from oat bran or wheat bran rather than as a supplement or a food ingredient.