| Summary: | 碩士 === 靜宜大學 === 食品營養研究所 === 92 === Gastrointestinal function is usually reduced in the elderly population. Several animal studies had indicated that the Xylooigosaccharides (XOS) could promote the growth of bifidobacteria and inhibit the precancerous lesions of colon. However, the physiological effects of XOS on the elderly population are still not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of XOS on the intestinal function and blood parameters of elderly. Subjects age sixty-five and above and did not have recent history of gastrointestinal disease were included, and randomly divided into either control (n=9) or experimental group (n=13). The experimental group was supplemented with 4g XOS per day for three weeks, while the control group was replaced with the placebo. Anthropometric values, dietary questionnaires (including dietary habits, food frequency and dietary intakes), questionnaire of gastrointestinal function, blood parameters, fecal pH value, fecal moisture and fecal bacteria of subjects were evaluated. The results showed the anthropometric values, dietary intakes, gastrointestinal function, serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride of XOS and control groups were not significantly different before the experiment. During the three weeks of experimental period, the dietary intakes, gastrointestinal function and serum lipids were no significant changes in both control and XOS groups. The XOS could significantly increase the fecal moisture, bifidobacteria /Clostridium perfringens ratio, bifidobacteria population and decrease the fecal pH value after three weeks administration. In summary, we conclude that the supplementation of XOS could significantly increase the growth of beneficial bacteria and improve the distribution of flora in the intestine. Therefore, the XOS was effective on promoting the intestinal health of elderly.
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