Fiber and Pectin in the Diet and Serum Cholesterol Concentration in Man. ∗

Summary

Rigidly controlled experiments on middle-aged men subsisting on diets of natural foods with and without supplements of 15 g daily of either cellulose(fiber) or pectin failed to show any significant effect on serum cholesterol concentration from the cellulose but they did consistently show an effect from the pectin. The pectin effect was apparent in 3 weeks and amounted to an average fall of about 5% below the level on the same diet without pectin supplement. It is suggested that the amounts of cellulose and pectin used correspond to the upper levels of these substances provided in natural human diets.