The Bottom Line Does Benefiber Work
Ahhh, now its time for the final take on this one ready? We like the companys long run in the supplement industry and all-natural source of fiber, but we dont feel comfortable suggesting it because of the higher price and poor customer service support. Based on some Benefiber reviews, were also a bit concerned with the C- BBB rating.
If youre ready to make those extra pounds disappear, we recommend a product with strong customer service support and an affordable price.
Among the best products weve seen this year is one called Noom. This program is the perfect combination of personalized support and the ease of use of an app dieters comment on seeing excellent results. Human coaching, customized meal plans and expert advice is just the start of a long list of benefits.
The makers of Noom are currently offering a free trial offer, which is a sign that theyre confident in their program.
Benefiber can be purchased using their Official Site.
The BBB rating is B-.
You should take two teaspoons of Benefiber with soft food or four to eight ounces of water, up to three times a day. If you are six to 12 years old, you should only take one teaspoon. The website recommends not using the powder with carbonated beverages. One bottle lasts about 20 days, if you follow the instructions on the label.
Benefiber contains 15 calories per serving.
Benefiber is not a medication and doesnt require a doctors prescription.
You should store Benefiber at room temperature.
Effect Of Other Variables
After dose of soluble fiber and initial lipid concentrations were controlled for, none of the following factors was a significant predictor of changes in blood lipids: type of study design, type of control, treatment length, background diet, type of subject, weight change, or changes in dietary intake of fat and cholesterol.
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Fiber Supplements That May Not Lower Ldl
There are other soluble fiber supplements that do not have studies in place to support their use in lowering cholesterol levels. These can still be used for digestive health.
- Polycarbophil : Polycarbophil is a form of soluble fiber. Studies have not been able to show that it can lower LDL cholesterol in comparison to psyllium and methylcellulose.
- Wheat Dextrin : Wheat dextrin is a nonviscous form of soluble fiber. It is not able to form a gel-like material within the small intestine and therefore cannot bind cholesterol.
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How Much Fiber Should I Eat
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends consuming about 25-35 grams of total fiber per day, with 10-15 grams from soluble fiber or 14g of fiber per 1,000 calories. This can be accomplished by choosing 6 ounces of grains , 2½ cups of vegetables, and 2 cups of fruit per day . However, as we age, fiber requirements decrease. For those over the age of 70, the recommendation for women is 21 grams and for men 30 grams of total fiber per day.
Note: Eating a high-fiber diet may interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of some medications. Speak to your doctor about which medications to take with caution and when to take them. Fiber also binds with certain nutrients and carries them out of the body. To avoid this, aim for the recommended 20-35 grams of fiber per day. When eating a high-fiber diet, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day.
How To Take Metamucil To Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels*
Metamucil powders and capsules can both help maintain healthy blood sugar levels* when taken as directed. Check with your health care professional if you are currently using any medications to control your blood sugar levels.
- Metamucil Powders: Take 1 serving before each meal to help support healthy blood sugar levels.* Check the package for appropriate serving size.
- Metamucil Capsules: Take 5 capsules up to 4 times per day before each meal to help support healthy blood sugar levels.
^^ Metamucil is a licensed participant in the American Diabetes Association Better Choices for Life Program. This product is not intended to treat diabetes.More information is available at www.diabetes.org/resources/better-choices-life
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Is Benefiber Or Metamucil More Effective
A clinical review published in 2015 sought to evaluate the health outcomes of regular fiber therapy by comparing commercially available fiber products. Researchers describe that a key difference between dextrin and psyllium is that dextrin is readily fermented in the intestinal tract. Once fermented, dextrin loses its water-holding capability and therefore is not an effective laxative. Psyllium is not fermented, and thus becomes a viscous, gel-like consistency and can hold water in the stool throughout the large bowel. This provides a hydrated, bulky stool that can be excreted more easily. Furthermore, the American College of Gastroenterology Chronic Constipation Task Force that psyllium was the only fiber supplement that showed enough clinical evidence to support an indication for chronic constipation.
The American Diabetes Association published a meta-analysis in 2019 evaluating fiber supplements effects on glycemic control. Their findings suggested that viscous fibers, like psyllium, showed the greatest effect on glycemic control. Psylliums viscous gel formation slows digestion, likely slowing sugar absorption. This effect of slowing digestion also leaves you feeling fuller for a longer period of time, seeming to aid in weight loss.
Your healthcare provider will provide recommendations on which type of fiber is best for your gut health.
What Other Things Does Fiber Do
Research has shown that a diet rich in fiber is associated with many health benefits, including the following:
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Why Psyllium Husk Works
Among recommendations in a Symphony Health Solutions survey 2017 . Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil and Meta Daily Heart Health, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One serving of Metamucil has 2.4 grams of this soluble fiber. One serving of Meta Daily Heart Health has 3.6 grams of this soluble fiber. One serving of Metamucil capsules has at least 1.8 grams of this soluble fiber. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Continue reading > >
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Why Are Healthy Blood Sugar Levels Important
All the cells of our body are fueled by sugar in our blood stream. Simple sugars are absorbed into your bloodstream very quickly, while more complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and absorb. Over time regularly eating large amounts of simple processed sugars can impact your bodyâs ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are consistently elevated, you could be diagnosed with prediabetes.6
According to the American Diabetes Association, 88 million people in the U.S, have prediabetes,7 which is a concerning statistic given how life-changing this diagnosis can be. If you are concerned about maintaining your blood sugar levels, increasing fiber intake by adding Metamucil to your daily routine can help.*
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What Are Some Guidelines To Increasing Dietary Fiber
This guide provides basic information to help you increase fiber in your diet. Fiber is an important dietary substance to your health. Most fiber-containing foods are also good sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which offer many health benefits. A registered dietitian can provide in-depth nutrition education to help you develop a personal action plan.
What Does Benefiber Do
Benefiber is marketed to fight irregular bowels or constipation and claims to support digestive health.
Wheat dextrin can do this in two ways. Its a soluble fiber that dissolves in water in the intestine adding bulk to the stool, pushing digestion along.
It is also a fermentable fiber, which means it works as a prebiotic to feed the friendly bacteria in our gut biome, improving digestive health.
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Fiber Content Of Common Foods
Breads
- Serving Size: 3 1/2 inches
- Total Fiber : 3
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked
- Total Fiber : 4
Do All Fiber Supplements Lower Cholesterol Levels
Fiber is an important part of any healthy diet. Although fiber is mostly known for improving digestive health, studies have also shown that certain types of fiber can also help lower your cholesterol levels. This can include common brand name fiber supplements like Metamucil and Citrucel.
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How Does Fiber Help Lower Cholesterol
To answer this, we first have to understand something about the natural cholesterol circulation system we all have in our bodies.
Every time you eat, bile is squeezed into the digestive system to help digest the food you just consumed. Bile is very cholesterol-rich. Its one of the things we use circulating cholesterol to make. And we need a certain amount of bile always at the ready so we can digest food at any time.
To keep that store of bile at adequate levels, we either need to pull cholesterol from the bloodstream to make bile for the next meal or reabsorb any bile not used up in the digestive process. The more bile we fail to reabsorb, the more circulating cholesterol we need to bring back to the liver to make bile for the next meal which means circulating cholesterol levels drop. With me so far?
This is how the original cholesterol-lowering drugs worked. They were called bile acid resins or bile acid sequestrants and they literally bound bile inside the digestive system so that you eliminated it through the stool. And these medications worked! LDL levels dropped!
The problem was that bile sequestrants came as messy powders, you had to remember to take them with food, and they often caused stomach upset. So when statins came along, these medications were pushed to the sidelines. But that doesnt mean the underlying biochemical pathways went away!
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How To Read A Food Label
Food labels are standardized by the U.S. government’s National Labeling and Education Act . Nutrition labels and an ingredient list are required on most foods, so that you can make the best selection for a healthy lifestyle. Review the food label below. Determine the total amount of fiber in this product or ask your registered dietitian or healthcare provider to show you how to read food labels and apply the information to your personal needs. In order for a product to be labeled high fiber, it must contain 5 grams or more of dietary fiber per serving.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/15/2019.
References
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Prebiotic Fiber Found In Benefiber
Prebiotics is an ingredient that promotes the development and performance of naturally-occurring bacteria and fungi in a specific environment such as the gastrointestinal tract.
Prebiotic compounds are in various foods, including dandelion greens, jicama, onions, garlic, and artichokes. They can be defined as oligosaccharides, a type of fiber found in whole foods.
Prebiotics work in collaboration with probiotics to affect changes in the activity and composition of the gastrointestinal tract. They are essential when it comes to the regulation and maintenance of intestinal bacteria.
More Evidence That The Higher The Dietary Fiber Intake The Greater The Health
With Vladimir Vuksan, PhD, Frank Hu, MD, PhD, and Joanne Slavin, PhD, RD
The health benefits of dietary fiber continue to inform clinical recommendations. In a report by a team of Canadian researchers,1 individuals who regularly consumed soluble fiber were found to have lower hemoglobin A1c levels, an important benchmark for people with diabetes.
In this meta-analysis, the researchers noticed that soluble fiber at a median dose of at least 13 grams a day the equivalent of one tablespoon of soluble fiberreduced HbA1c levels by about .60%.1 That reduction was similar to that achieved by some antidiabetes medications, said Vladimir Vuksan, PhD, professor of clinical nutrition at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Canada.
For instance, a patient with a typical HbA1c of 8% may see the HbA1c 7.5% simply by increasing the amount of soluble fiber to their daily diet, if these results held true for them. This has the potential to offer a simple treatment strategy for any patient with diabetes who would benefit from a reduced HbA1c target for anyone with diabetes.
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How Dietary Fiber Lowers Cholesterol
Dietary fiber is found exclusively in plant foods. It serves as the structural framework in plants and is one of the most abundant compounds in nature. Fiber is the part of the plant that is not broken down in the intestines by human digestive enzymes. Because it is not digested, fiber is not absorbed in the body.
Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, nuts, and legumes are all sources of fiber in the diet. Fiber is beneficial for a number of reasons. It helps improve intestinal health, prevents heart disease and some cancers, reduces blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, and aids in weight control.
Fiber can be either insoluble or soluble, although most fiber-containing foods have both. Insoluble fiber speeds up the movement of food through the intestines and promotes regularity. It is excreted largely intact. Insoluble fiber can be found in whole-grain foods, wheat bran, many vegetables, and fruit with skin. Soluble fiber also called viscous fiber dissolves when mixed with water and becomes a gel-like substance, slowing down the movement of food through the small intestine. Sources of soluble fiber include oats, peas, beans, apples, and citrus fruits one serving of any of these foods provides about one to three grams of soluble fiber.
Another food that has natural cholesterol-lowering properties is fish. Read on to learn why fish and fish oils can be a healthy addition to any diet.
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Is Benefiber Worth A Try
Worth a Try. Benefiber has demonstrated no lasting side effects other than some gastric distress from taking too much too quickly. It is both affordable and widely available. Fiber has been proven to be good for your body, and a helpful aid to both diet and exercise in weight-loss regimens. As with any supplement, always check with your doctor, especially if you are gluten-intolerant, or if youve had chronic problems with gas and bloating.
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More Things You Can Do To Help Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Psyllium fiber supplements are not the only way to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.* Here are 5 more tips to achieving your blood sugar goals to support a healthy life.
1. Exercise.
Research has shown that exercising, especially after meals, can help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.12 Though it is often considered important to wait to exercise following meals, exercise beginning approximately 30 minutes after the start of a meal can be beneficial.12
Another advantage of exercise is that when done regularly, it can improve insulin sensitivity.12 Maintaining insulin sensitivity is critical for the bodyâs ability to regulate its blood sugar levels.
2. Eat a low carb diet and choose low glycemic foods
3. Consume foods with fiber.
Just as psyllium fiber supplements can help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, fiber rich foods can also be beneficial. Foods rich in fiber have more complex carbohydrates and fewer simple sugars so it takes the body longer to digest them. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and as a bonus, tend to be rich in nutrients
4. Stay hydrated
5. Get enough sleep
The Benefits Of Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber can help your body in many ways:
- It slows down the rate of digestion which can help you better extract nutrients from the food you eat
- It can lessen the spike in your blood sugar after eating
- It helps move food through your entire digestive system more efficiently
- And of course: it helps prevent constipation!
The most obvious symptom youll experience if you arent getting enough fiber is constipation.
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What About Supplements
Fiber supplements, such as Metamucil, may play a role in helping certain people with diabetes get enough fiber, especially if they are constipated, Koltun says.
“Metamucil is made from psyllium husk, which slows down the absorption of glucose and can cause less of a spike in blood sugar,” she says. But “this does not mean someone with diabetes who eats a high-carbohydrate/high-sugar diet can expect normal blood sugars after taking Metamucil.”
Dana Greene, RD, a dietitian in Brookline, Massachusetts, says she suggests fiber supplements like Metamucil to patients with diabetes when they can’t get what they need through diet, describing supplements as “a good backup plan.”
Supplements are also lower in calories and carbs than foods, which are important aspects of meal planning for people with diabetes, she adds. There may be some additional benefits to fiber supplements, too. A review of 28 clinical trials that included 1,394 people with diabetes found that those who took soluble fiber supplements had slightly lower blood sugar levels than their counterparts who didn’t take fiber supplements.
The research, published in the May 2019 issue of Diabetes Care, also found that people who took about 13 grams of fiber daily for up to a year had lower levels of hemoglobin A1c, a snapshot of blood sugar over time, and they also had lower blood sugar levels on an empty stomach .