Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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Constipation in institutionalized elderly is a common and difficult problem. Thirty-three institutionalized demented patients with severe constipation were given a high-bran bread instead of their accustomed laxatives. ⋯ The total laxative consumption (doses given per day) decreased by 93 per cent. Nutritional data and metabolic status were unchanged during the high-bran bread period except for a reduction of the postprandial blood glucose response after the glucose tolerance test.