General Description
Dietary fiber is a term used to describe a group of complex carbohydrates present in our daily foods. Glycemic index measures how your blood sugar increases after a meal. One of the benefits of fiber include the inability for them to be digested by enzymes secreted in our digestive tract and as such do not add carbohydrate calories and provide a lower glycemic index to our blood stream, but by no means are they physiologically inert. It is estimated that up to 60% of our daily intake of dietary fiber is of the Z-Trim-like insoluble fiber type. Corn bran is a good source of bland insoluble fiber. Unlike other cellulosic thickeners and stabilizers that are used as fat replacers with only little success, Z-Trim can be utilized to reduce fat up to 50% depending on the nature of the food products it is used in. This is because of amorphous Z-Trim�s high water holding capacity, 10 gram of water per gram of Z-Trim powder. Z-Trim can be used either as a powder or gels of varying consistency, depending on the food product. Its exceptional performance against competitive products resides in the high surface area of its amorphous particles. Z-Trim is corn fiber because the raw material from which it is made is refined dry milled corn or other cereal bran. We recommend that the descriptor �corn fiber� be used on the nutrition labels.
Z-Trim is a complex carbohydrate - a non-lignin, insoluble dietary fiber containing cellulose and hemicellulose. It is a weight watcher�s dream because it takes up space in the stomach making them feel fuller, one of the benefits of fiber, and can be used to reduce fat, even when their total food intake is less (3)
Regulatory Status
Z-Trim- like products, largely amorphous cellulose and guar gum, are GRAS substances( 21 CFR 184.1339). Z-Trim is produced from non-GMO corn bran under Kosher certification and strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines.
Formulation of Low Fat Foods
Z-Trim�s fat replacement values come from (1) its gelling behavior under a wide range of concentrations accounting for an equally wide range of food product consistencies from thin salad dressing to products like sauce, mayonnaise, dips, marinades, cheeses, ice cream, and various meat products, and (2) its high water holding capacity of 10 grams of water per gram of Z-Trim. The fat mimetic gels of varying consistency are possible because of high water holding capacity. As such, Z-Trim at various use levels can help manage the shelf life and water activity of foods. Z-Trim can help create fillings for sandwich cookies, filled pastries, snacks on the go, filled pasta products, and other similar foods. Also Z-Trim gel has significant emulsion capacity necessary for its replacement function.
Formulation of Low Carbohydrate (Atkins) Foods
High protein foods containing Z-Trim are, in effect, physiologically low carbohydrate foods for two distinct reasons. 1. Z-Trim incorporation in the formulations of breads, cookies, biscuits and similar products eliminates part of the high starch wheat flour, 2. Ingestion of foods containing Z-Trim increases transit time through the digestive tract and thus reduces the absorption of sugars from digestible carbohydrates from other ingested foods during the same period, and 3. Z-Trim keeps substantial amounts of carbohydrates in water that it binds as it passes through our digestive tract and physically prevents their absorption. Good quality Low Carbohydrate healthy Foods can be designed with Z-Trim.
Water Retention and Fecal Bulking
Z-Trim can be metabolized by bacteria in the large intestine. The resulting substances of this process (mainly short-chained fatty acids such as acetic, propionic and butyric acids) acidify the colonic contents resulting in water retention and fecal bulking as indicated under reason 3 above.
Effects on Digestive Functions and Physiology
- Hydrated Z-Trim can increase segmental contractions and thus increase transit time. Z-Trim acts as a colonic broom.
- As dietary fiber, Z-Trim may increase enzyme secretion.
- Z-Trim may alter the pH of intestinal contents.
- Z-Trim increases the viscosity of intestinal contents.
- Z-Trim may slow the absorption rate of glucose and other nutrients.
- Z-Trim increases colonic fermentation, fecal bulk, and fat excretion.
- As a cellulosic (no lignin), Z-Trim has little or no effect on mineral absorption.
- Z-Trim as dietary fiber may reduce incidence of colonic carcinoma.
- Z-Trim can
- Enhance healthy bowel function and helps form norm stool.
- Delay glucose absorption
- Fight overweight and obesity problems.
- Increase satiety and reduce fat absorption
- Help prevent cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases (3)
- Lower insulin resistance (7).
References
- British Nutrition Foundation(1988) Task Force on of dietary fiber.
- New England Journal of Medicine calls Z-Trim like Insoluble Dietary Fiber as Colonic Broom.
- Bayview Medical Center, John Hopkins
- New England Journal of Medicine, January, 1999
- Harvard Medical School, 1992
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003;77:622-629.
- Tufts University, Media Update, May 2002
- FDA/CFSAN, 1991. Why is fiber important.
