SingleCareBenefiber vs. Metamucil: Differences, Similarities, and Which is Better for You

The differences between fiber supplements Benefiber and Metamucil are slight, but which one is the better choice for your patients?

Fiber plays a significant role in health and nutrition by aiding digestion, controlling blood sugar, and maintaining weight. This helpful piece delves into the role of fiber in our diet, the different sources of fiber, and the differences and efficacy of two commonly used fiber supplements, Benefiber and Metamucil.

Key Points:

• Fiber aids bowel regularity, colon health, and healthy weight maintenance; can reduce the risk of heart disease; and aids blood sugar control.
• There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber slows digestion and absorption of sugar, binds fatty acids, and reduces LDL cholesterol.
• Benefiber and Metamucil are both over-the-counter soluble fiber supplements, but they contain different active ingredients.
• Benefiber, with wheat dextrin, absorbs water in the intestinal tract, stimulating peristalsis and slowing intestinal transit.
• Metamucil, made from psyllium husks, also stimulates peristalsis and slows intestinal transit, but additionally helps reduce risk of coronary heart disease and control blood sugar.

Additional Points:

• Metamucil has been found to be more effective as a laxative because it can hold water throughout the intestinal tract due to its non-fermentable nature.
• The American Diabetes Association suggests that viscous fibers like psyllium show the greatest effect on glycemic control.
• A 2012 study found that psyllium therapy can significantly lower LDL cholesterol in adolescent males at risk of heart disease.
• The use of fiber therapy without adequate fluid intake can lead to esophageal blockage and choking.

Conclusion:

• Though both Benefiber and Metamucil serve as dietary fiber supplements, Metamucil’s additional benefits, including acting as a bulk-forming laxative, aiding in LDL cholesterol reduction, and having an impact on glycemic control, make it the more effective choice for a broader range of health benefits.

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Did You Know?
According to the World Health Organization, increasing dietary fiber intake can reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.