The psyllium fiber in Metamucil helps lower cholesterol to promote heart health† by trapping some cholesterol in the digestive system to be removed with waste. When you take psyllium fiber, it forms a gel-like substance that moves through your digestive system.
When should I take Metamucil? To get the cholesterol-lowering benefit, take 1 teaspoon of Sugar-Free Metamucil with a full glass of water no more than 15 to 30 minutes before a meal.
When you are looking for a fiber supplement for the purpose of lowering your cholesterol, start with psyllium or methylcellulose. Both have that have research supporting their use to slightly reduce LDL.
Picco, M.D. There's no evidence that daily use of fiber supplements — such as psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) — is harmful. Fiber has a number of health benefits, including normalizing bowel function and preventing constipation.
For example, a diet rich in soluble fiber, plant sterols, and vegetable protein sources, such as soy and nuts, reduced LDL cholesterol by an average of 28.6% in just 4 weeks. These effects continue over the long term.
Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Soluble fiber is found in such foods as oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Add whey protein. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy.
A: Any time of day is appropriate to take Metamucil fiber as long as an adequate intake of fluids (at least 8 ounces of water or liquid per serving) is consumed. We recommend taking Metamucil between one and three times per day at mealtimes as a convenient way to get the benefits of Metamucil.
Can this be harmful to kidney? Metamucil is safe for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
For digestive health:Metamucil can be used for occasional constipation and to promote and maintain regularity. If your constipation persists beyond seven days, consult a doctor because it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
While both are important for your health, soluble fiber is the one that helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. It dissolves in water to form a gel, which moves slowly through the intestines “grabbing” up fat, dietary cholesterol, bile salts, and sugar to be excreted.
In addition to treating constipation, Metamucil may also help lower your cholesterol levels, and may improve your blood sugar control if you have type 2 diabetes. Benefiber, on the other hand, is not approved for these uses. Fiber can also decrease your appetite by making you feel fuller for a longer time.
It can also slow or stop atherosclerosis. 4) Take Metamucil or Konsyl (Psyllium Husk): Psyllium husk, the active ingredient in Metamucil, is one of the most powerful LDL-lowering viscous soluble fibers in existence. A high fiber diet has been shown to reduce risk of heart disease.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
Is it OK to take Metamucil every day? As a dietary fiber supplement: Metamucil can be taken up to three times daily as a dietary fiber supplement.
Studies suggest that taking Metamucil may help reduce hunger, enhance feelings of fullness, and increase weight loss. Still, Metamucil and similar fiber supplements should not be used as a weight loss product.
As with any dietary change, your body needs time to adjust. While you'll likely notice the regularity* benefits of Metamucil sooner, we're confident that after two weeks you'll be feeling lighter and more energetic** and well on your way to making it a part of your daily health routine.
There is no “correct” dose of Metamucil to take. Everyone may need a different amount per day for desired effect. The trick is to start with a low dose, like 1 scoop per day (or 6 pills per day). Try this for 3 or 4 days in a row and see how things go.
Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One serving of Metamucil has 2.4 grams of this soluble fiber.
The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system.
When people have high cholesterol their LDL (bad) is high and their HDL (good) is low. Eating healthy, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water will help to bring down cholesterol levels within 2-3 weeks.
Benefiber contains fewer additional ingredients than Metamucil. Benefiber contains only wheat germ, which may make it a more natural choice.