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Metamucil Vs Miralax For Constipation
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Metamucil Multi Health Psyllium Fiber Supplement, Sugar Free Powder Orange
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Metamucil is a commonly used fiber supplement that contains an evidence-based ingredient, psyllium husk, that can help meet your daily fiber intake goals, resulting in digestive and other health benefits.
Natalie is a Registered Dietitian, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and Certified Exercise Physiologist with over 15 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and the Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Fellowship Program at Western States University and the Functional Medicine Institute. He has a master's degree. Medical degree. Functional medicine.
Yasmin S. Ali, MD, MSCI, is a board-certified cardiologist, clinical lipidologist, and internist with nearly 30 years of experience in direct patient care and 25 years of experience in medical writing, editing, and peer review.
The 5 Metamucil Side Effects To Consider
Many studies point to the importance of a high-fiber diet in promoting positive short- and long-term health outcomes.(1)
Metamucil is a commonly used fiber supplement that can help you reach your daily fiber intake goals and improve important health factors.
This review article provides information on the potential benefits of Metamucil, its side effects, how it compares to other fiber supplements, and other ideas for increasing fiber in food and supplements.
Metamuc is a fiber supplement that contains a sticky fiber called psyllium husk that is designed to help your digestion. Psyllium husk comes from the Plantago ovata plant.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The psyllium husk used in Metamucil is primarily a soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water and other body fluids, forming a gel-like substance.
It helps increase the good bacteria in the colon and helps eliminate bad bacteria, toxins, and bad cholesterol, or LDL. (2)
Metamucil comes in different forms and the price depends on where you buy the product.
The Metamucil website offers purchase options from a variety of stores. The prices listed are the lowest found on their website, Walmart and CVS are usually the cheapest:
Treatment For Children's Constipation Without Miralax
According to many customer reviews, the powder mixes very well with water, and the taste of gummies, powders, and fiber thinners is mostly positive.
Gummies and powders are orange-flavored, and Fiber Thins have three flavors to choose from, including Apple Crisp, Cinnamon Spice, or Chocolate.
One study found that supplementing with psyllium for four weeks can significantly improve constipation. This is due to improved water retention and bowel motility, both of which relieve symptoms of constipation. (3)
In addition, two separate clinical trials showed that the psyllium in Metamucil significantly increased the amount of good bacteria in constipated patients, improving overall gut health.
Metamucil Psyllium Fiber Supplement Sugar Free Orange Smooth Powder
Many studies have shown that psyllium can improve constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of these in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (5)
The psyllium fiber in Metamucil can effectively reduce cardiovascular risk and improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol, or LDL. (6)
Although your body needs a minimal amount of cholesterol to build healthy cells, high levels of LDL have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.(7)
An analysis of 28 studies involving more than 1,900 people found that adding about 10 grams of psyllium significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels.(6)
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However, to get the amount of psyllium husk from Metamucil that has been studied for lowering LDL cholesterol, you would need to take 25 capsules or 4 teaspoons of the powder per day.
Psyllium may also increase the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins. In people already taking statins, adding psyllium before a meal can lower LDL cholesterol more effectively than taking a statin alone.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, that increase the risk of heart disease.
Psyllium from Metamucil can help lower bad cholesterol and improve factors associated with metabolic syndrome, such as obesity and blood pressure. However, a higher dosage of the supplement may be needed to see the benefits that have been discovered.
Miralax Unflavored Sugar Free Powder Grit Free
It reduces overeating by improving satiety, reduces blood sugar spikes and improves gut health, which directly affects blood sugar levels. (11)
In people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, taking a psyllium supplement such as Metamucil before a meal significantly improved fasting blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). A 3-month blood glucose measurement is average. (12)
A moderate intake of about 13 grams of soluble fiber per day can reduce fasting blood sugar levels, 3-month average blood sugar levels, and insulin resistance.(13)
Therefore, the American Diabetes Association has confirmed that viscous fiber supplements (such as Metamucil) improve blood sugar control and should be considered in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.(13)
Miralax® Osmotic Laxative Powder
However, to achieve Metamucil's 13 grams of soluble fiber, you would need to take 30 capsules or 5 teaspoons of powder.
Metamucil can help regulate blood sugar, but higher doses are needed to achieve the levels found in the supplement.
Although metamucil has not been shown to have a significant effect on weight loss, psyllium husk has been shown to improve satiety (14).
One study found that doses of 3.4 grams, 6.4 grams, and 10.2 grams of psyllium husk significantly reduced hunger and appetite while improving feelings of fullness between meals.(15)
Miralax Laxative Powder, Polyethylene Glycol 3350, 7 Dose, 4.1 Oz
To achieve this amount, you should use about 15-25 capsules or about 2-4 teaspoons of powder for appetite control. In this case, powder consumption may seem more appropriate.
Metamucil can help control appetite, although it has no significant effect on weight loss. It may be easier to consume powders rather than tablets to achieve the studied dose that shows benefit.
This is our score, based on scientific evidence, of how likely Metamuc is to be effective for its claimed benefits:
Not all fiber supplements are created equal. When choosing dietary fiber supplements, it is important to note what other ingredients they may contain.
Metamucil Psyllium Fiber Supplement Orange Smooth Powder
Metamucil contains the following ingredients in some of their products that have been linked to health problems:
While these ingredients are FDA approved, it is best to choose one that contains only psyllium and no additional ingredients if you are sensitive to any of them or want a purer fiber supplement.
They offer a completely unflavored Metamucil product with no added sweeteners called Metamucil Sugar-Free Unflavored Smooth Powder. But it still contains maltodextrin and citric acid.
Metamucil is generally safe to take. The most common possible side effects are digestive problems such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain, especially when you first start taking the supplement.
Difference Between Metamucil And Psyllium
Because of the blood sugar-lowering effects of fiber, be careful with fiber supplements if you are taking diabetes medications to prevent hypoglycemia or low blood sugar (18).
Metamucil contains maltodextrin, which is often derived from corn starch. If you have a corn allergy, you should avoid this product.
Additionally, Metamucil Thins is not gluten-free and should be avoided if you have a gluten allergy or intolerance.
Psyllium can reduce the absorption of some medications and should therefore be taken 1 hour before or 2-4 hours after taking the medication.(18)
Benefiber Vs. Metamucil: Differences, Similarities, And Which Is Better For You
Some popular alternative fiber supplements on the market include Benefiber and Citrucel. Although they claim similar benefits, they contain a different type of fiber than Metamucil.
BeneFiber is a brand that contains different types of fiber, including wheat dextrin, partially hydrolyzed guar gum, or inulin, depending on which product you choose.
Powder: $19.49 per 72 scoops (14 oz), Capsules: $18.48 per 100 capsules, Fiber Thin: $8.48 per 12 capsules, Gummies: $15.48 per 72 capsules
Metamucil contains the well-researched soluble fiber psyllium husk, which plays a role in improving digestion, heart health, blood sugar and appetite control.
Difference Between Miralax And Metamucil
However, some Metamucil products contain other ingredients, including artificial sweeteners, additives such as maltodextrin, and food coloring such as Yellow 6.
Metamuc is not the best choice if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients they add or want a cleaner product. You may consider the NOW brand, which contains no ingredients other than psyllium husk.
In general, my recommendation as a dietitian is to aim for a fiber supplement that does not contain sweeteners, food colors, or additives.
It is important to note that Metamucil supplementation should not replace a well-balanced, high-fiber diet. As a dietician, I always advocate food over supplements.
Metamucil Sugar Free, 4 In 1 Fiber For Digestive Health, Sachets Orange
Research shows that 95% of Americans get less than half of the recommended amount of fiber, or only 12 to 15 grams, in a typical day. (19, 20)
Consider that a 3/4 cup (175 ml) serving of cooked black beans contains 5.4 grams of soluble fiber and can cost as little as 11 cents per serving.
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