News Releases

Saving $143 million in healthcare system costs starts in Canada’s kitchens
New research finds that a small increase in daily fibre intake can lead to millions in healthcare system cost savings

Tweetable Highlights:

  • CDNs only get half the fibre they need and it costs the healthcare system. Visit www.startwithfibre.ca for more info #eatmorefibre
  • New study finds untapped healthcare savings of $143M if CDNs eat 1 more gram of fibre/day. Visit www.startwithfibre.ca #eatmorefibre
  • Fibre: It’s good for you and Canada’s healthcare system. Check out www.allbran.ca for high-fibre recipes #eatmorefibre
  • Canadians must up their fibre intakes to benefit their health. Find high-fibre recipes at www.startwithfibre.ca #eatmorefibre

TORONTO – March 23, 2016 — A new study reveals that if Canadian adults increase their intake of cereal fibre by just one gram per day, annual healthcare system costs related to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes could be reduced by up to $143.2 million.1 This cost-of-illness analysis was conducted at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“These new findings on the potential savings to the healthcare system, coupled with the known benefits of fibre to the health of Canadians, demand a fresh look at the role fibre has to play,” said Dr. Peter Jones, Canada Research Chair in Functional Foods and Nutrition at the University of Manitoba, Director of the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, and lead researcher. “While the health benefits of fibre are nothing new, the impact daily fibre consumption can have on reducing overall strain on our healthcare system is absolutely staggering.”

Treating the five million Canadians living with cardiovascular disease2 or diabetes3 cost an estimated $15.5 billion in 2014.1 The good news is that a high-fibre diet can significantly reduce the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,4,5,6 and has also been shown to reduce the risk of digestive disorders7 and obesity.8 Dietary fibre has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, promote regularity and increase feelings of fullness to assist with weight management.9

Despite these benefits, Canadians only consume about half the fibre they need.10 Canadians must take action to increase their dietary fibre, and can do so by making simple, realistic changes to their meals throughout the day, Canadians should remember that:

  • Fruits and vegetables, legumes and beans are all sources of dietary fibre
  • Whole grain and bran-based cereals and breads are high-fibre options
  • Cereals, like Kellogg’s* All-Bran Buds* cereal which contains psyllium and wheat bran, can be added to everyday foods and recipes as an easy way to get more fibre

When compared to fibre from vegetables or fruit, diets with higher levels of cereal fibre, found in cereal grains such as wheat and oats, are associated with the lowest risk for type 2 diabetes11,12 and cardiovascular disease.13,14

Canadians should consult with their healthcare provider to learn more about dietary fibre and increasing their fibre intakes. For more resources related to the study, visit www.startwithfibre.ca. For more information about high-fibre foods and recipes, visit allbran.ca.

Learn more about how fibre keeps Canadians and the healthcare system healthy. Check out and share the Fibre: A Healthy Investment infographic.


ABOUT THE STUDY
The study, entitled “Cost-of-illness analysis reveals potential healthcare savings with reductions in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease following recommended intakes of dietary fiber in Canada” was published in Frontiers in Pharmacology in August 2015. Research was conducted at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The study was funded by Kellogg Canada Inc. and the funding organization had no role in defining the study design; in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.1


ABOUT KELLOGG CANADA INC.
Driven to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter, Kellogg Canada is the leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal in Canada. Every day, our beloved brands nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. These include All-Bran*, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes*, Corn Pops*, Eggo*, Froot Loops*, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes*, Kashi*, Kellogg's* Two Scoops* Raisin Bran, Mini-Wheats*, Nutri-Grain*, Pop-Tarts*, Pringles*, Rice Krispies*, Special K* and Vector*. Through our Breakfasts for Better Days™ global hunger initiative, we’ve provided more than 1.4 billion servings of cereal and snacks to children and families in need around the world. To learn more about our responsible business leadership, foods that delight and how we strive to make a difference in our communities around the world, visit www.kelloggcompany.com. To learn more about Kellogg Canada’s efforts in these areas, please visit www.kelloggs.ca.

* © 2016, Trademark of Kellogg Company used under licence by Kellogg Canada Inc.

References

1. Abdullah MMH, et al. Cost-of-illness analysis reveals potential healthcare savings with reductions in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease following recommended intakes of dietary fiber in Canada. Front. Pharmacol. 2015;6:167. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00167.

2. The Heart and Stroke Foundation. Getting to the Heart of the Matter. February 2015. Available http://www.heartandstroke.com/atf/cf/%7B99452d8b-e7f1-4bd6-a57d-b136ce6c95bf%7D/HSF-2015-HEART-MONTH-REPORT-V2.PDF?utm_campaign=15-HEART&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=photo_hm_1_hmrc_en. Accessed October 23, 2015.

3. Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Charter of Canada Backgrounder. May 2015. Available: https://www.diabetes.ca/getmedia/513a0f6c-b1c9-4e56-a77c-6a492bf7350f/diabetes-charter-backgrounder-national-english.pdf.aspx. Accessed October 19, 2015.

4. Merchant AT, et al. Dietary fiber reduces peripheral arterial disease risk in men. J Nutr 2003;133:3658-3663.

5. Kendall C, et al. The Iink between dietary fibre and human health. Food Hydrocoll. 2010;24:42- 48. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2009.08.002.

6. Chen GC, et al. Dietary fiber intake and stroke risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Eur J Clin Nutr 2013;67:96-100. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.158.

7. Petruzziello L, et al. Review article: uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon. Alimen Pharmacol Ther 2006;23:1379-1391. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02896.

8. Liu S, et al. Relation between changes in intakes of dietary fiber and grain products and changes in weight and development of obesity among middle-aged women. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:920-927.

9. Howlett JF, et al. The definition of dietary fiber—discussions at the Ninth Vahouny Fiber Symposium: building scientific agreement. Food Nutr Res 2010;54:5750.

10. Health Canada, Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, Nutrition (2004).

11. Cho SS, et al. Consumption of cereal fiber, mixtures of whole grains and bran, and whole grains and risk reduction in type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2013;98:594-619. doi: 103945/ajcn.113.067629.

12. InterAct Consortium. Dietary fibre and incidence of type 2 diabetes in eight European countries: the EPIC-InterAct Study and a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Diabetologia 2015; 58:1394-1408. doi: 10.1007/s00125-015-3585-9.

13. Mozaffarian D, et al. Cereal, fruit, and vegetable fiber intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals. JAMA 2003;289:1659-1666. doi:10.1001/jama.289.13.1659.

14. Threapleton DE, et al. Dietary fibre and risk of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2013;347:f6879. doi:10.1136/bmj.f6879.