Arabinoxylan
OTHER NAME(S): Pentosan, Arabinoxylan, Arabinoxilano, Arabinoxylane
Overview
Arabinoxylan is a dietary fiber found in cereal grains such as wheat, corn, rice, rye, oat, and barley. It is used as a medicine.
Arabinoxylan is taken by mouth for heart disease, constipation, diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, and weight loss, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Arabinoxylan might work by reducing the amount of sugar and cholesterol that is absorbed in the stomach and intestines. It might also change the makeup of the bacteria in the gut.
Arabinoxylan might work by reducing the amount of sugar and cholesterol that is absorbed in the stomach and intestines. It might also change the makeup of the bacteria in the gut.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Diabetes. Early research shows that eating food fortified with arabinoxylan for 5 weeks lowers blood sugar levels and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also seems to improve blood sugar control.
- Prediabetes. Early research shows that eating food fortified with arabinoxylan for 6 weeks lowers blood sugar levels and levels of a blood fat called triglycerides.
- A grouping of symptoms that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (metabolic syndrome). Early research shows that eating a diet containing arabinoxylan does not seem to improve blood sugar or cholesterol levels in most people with metabolic syndrome.
- Heart disease.
- Constipation.
- Weight loss.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of arabinoxylan for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Arabinoxylan is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. It might cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, or stomach pain.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Arabinoxylan is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. It might cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, or stomach pain.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if arabinoxylan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes: Arabinoxylan might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Monitor blood sugar levels closely. Doses of conventional antidiabetes medications may need adjustment.
Surgery: Arabinoxylan might affect blood sugar levels. There is concern that arabinoxylan might affect blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking arabinoxylan at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ArabinoxylanArabinoxylan might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking arabinoxylan along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of arabinoxylan depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for arabinoxylan. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Péroval C, Debeaufort F, Despré D, Voilley A. Edible arabinoxylan-based films. 1. Effects of lipid type on water vapor permeability, film structure, and other physical characteristics. J Agric Food Chem 2002;50(14):3977-83.
- Grasten S, Liukkonen K-H, Chrevatidis A, et al. Effects of wheat pentosan and inulin on the metabolic activity of fecal microbiota and on bowel function in healthy humans. Nutrition Res 2003;23:1503-14.
- Lu ZX, Walker KZ, Muir JG, Mascara T, O'Dea K. Arabinoxylan fiber, a byproduct of wheat flour processing, reduces the postprandial glucose response in normoglycemic subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71(5):1123-1128.
- Lu ZX, Walker KZ, Muir JG, O'Dea K. Arabinoxylan fibre improves metabolic control in people with Type II diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58(4):621-8.
- Garcia AL, Otto B, Reich SC, et al. Arabinoxylan consumption decreases postprandial serum glucose, serum insulin and plasma total ghrelin response in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Eur J Clin Nutr 2007;61(3):334-41.
- Garcia AL, Steiniger J, Reich SC, et al. Arabinoxylan fibre consumption improved glucose metabolism, but did not affect serum adipokines in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Horm Metab Res 2006;38(11):761-766.
- Hald S, Schioldan AG, Moore ME, et al. Effects of Arabinoxylan and Resistant Starch on Intestinal Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomised Crossover Study. PLoS One. 2016 Jul 19;11(7):e0159223.
- Giulia Falchi A, Grecchi I, Muggia C, Palladini G, Perlini S. Effects of a Bioavailable Arabinoxylan-enriched White Bread Flour on Postprandial Glucose Response in Normoglycemic Subjects. J Diet Suppl. 2016 Nov;13(6):626-33.
- Boll EV, Ekström LM, Courtin CM, et al. Effects of wheat bran extract rich in arabinoxylan oligosaccharides and resistant starch on overnight glucose tolerance and markers of gut fermentation in healthy young adults. Eur J Nutr. 2016 Jun;55(4):1661-70.
- Hartvigsen ML, Lærke HN, Overgaard A, Holst JJ, Bach Knudsen KE, Hermansen K. Postprandial effects of test meals including concentrated arabinoxylan and whole grain rye in subjects with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014 May;68(5):567-74.
- François IE, Lescroart O, Veraverbeke WS, et al. Effects of wheat bran extract containing arabinoxylan oligosaccharides on gastrointestinal parameters in healthy preadolescent children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014 May;58(5):647-53.
- François IE, Lescroart O, Veraverbeke WS, et al. Effects of a wheat bran extract containing arabinoxylan oligosaccharides on gastrointestinal health parameters in healthy adult human volunteers: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Br J Nutr. 2012 Dec 28;108(12):2229-42.
- Sarma SM, Singh DP, Singh P, et al. Finger millet arabinoxylan protects mice from high-fat diet induced lipid derangements, inflammation, endotoxemia and gut bacterial dysbiosis. Int J Biol Macromol. 2018 Jan;106:994-1003.
- Schioldan AG, Gregersen S, Hald S, et al. Effects of a diet rich in arabinoxylan and resistant starch compared with a diet rich in refined carbohydrates on postprandial metabolism and features of the metabolic syndrome. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Mar;57(2):795-807.
- Scarpellini E, Deloose E, Vos R, et al, The effect of arabinoxylooligosaccharides on gastric sensory-motor function and nutrient tolerance in man. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016 Aug;28(8):1194-203.
- Müller M, Hermes GDA, Emanuel CE, et al. Effect of wheat bran derived prebiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal transit, gut microbiota, and metabolic health: a randomized controlled trial in healthy adults with a slow gut transit. Gut Microbes 2020;12(1):1704141.
- Ganda Mall JP, Fart F, Sabet JA, et al. Effects of Dietary Fibres on Acute Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Hyperpermeability in the Elderly: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2020;12(7):1954.