Metamucil Fiber FAQ

We've got the answers to commonly asked questions about the benefits of fiber and how Metamucil® can fit into your daily diet.

What does 100 percent natural fiber mean?

If psyllium husk is a carbohydrate, why do Metamucil Capsules contain zero net carbs?

What is the dosage/serving size for Metamucil?

Why is the dosage/serving size different for Sugar and Sugar Free Powdered Drink Mixes?

Is it OK to take Metamucil with food? Should I take it before or after meals?

Is it OK to use Metamucil every day?

Can Metamucil be used past the expiration date?

What is the difference between Smooth Texture and Coarse Milled Original Texture?

How does Metamucil work for laxation?

Why did the Metamucil label change to include both laxative and dietary fiber supplement information?

Is there any scientific or medical evidence for the heart health claim?

How soon should I expect to lower my cholesterol with soluble fiber from psyllium husk when combined with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol?

How much do diets containing soluble fiber from psyllium husk lower cholesterol if taken as directed?

Why should I talk to my doctor before I take Metamucil to lower cholesterol?

Do Metamucil capsules have zero net carbs?

What does 100 percent natural fiber mean?
Metamucil capsules contain psyllium husk, a natural dietary fiber originating from the psyllium plant, which relieves constipation and can lower blood cholesterol levels.*

* Clinical studies have shown that 7 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium husk, as found in Metamucil, taken daily as part of a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol.

If psyllium husk is a carbohydrate, why do Metamucil Capsules contain zero net carbs?
In strict scientific terms, natural psyllium fiber is a polysaccharide that is a subclass of carbohydrates. Although dietary supplement regulations require that we list psyllium fiber as part of the carbohydrate total, it is, in fact, very different from carbohydrates such as sugar, glucose, fruit sugar, corn syrups, and starches. This is because our gastrointestinal enzymes cannot digest psyllium; therefore, our bodies do not absorb it and do not convert it into glucose.

What is the dosage/serving size for Metamucil?
When using as a fiber laxative:
Adults: Take/mix one dose with/in 8 ounces of liquid at the first sign of irregularity. Can be taken up to three times daily if needed. Generally produces results in 12 to 72 hours.
Children: 6 to 11 years: Mix 1/2 adult dose Powder or Wafers in/with 8 ounces of liquid.
Children under 6 years: Consult a doctor.

When using as a fiber supplement:
Adults: Mix one serving with 8 ounces of liquid three times daily for Powdered Drink Mixes, Wafers, and Capsules; or 4 times daily for Capsules Plus Calcium.
Children under 12 years: Consult a doctor.

Product Serving Size (Adults):

Capsules	2 to 6 Capsules
Capsules Plus Calcium	2 to 5 Capsules
Orange Smooth Texture Flavor	1 Tablespoon
Orange Coarse Milled Original Texture	1 Tablespoon
Orange Smooth Texture Sugar Free Flavor	1 Teaspoon
Unflavored Smooth Texture Sugar Free	1 Teaspoon
Unflavored Coarse Milled Original Texture	1 Teaspoon
Apple Wafers	2 Wafers
Cinnamon Wafers	2 Wafers

Why is the dosage/serving size different for Sugar and Sugar Free Powdered Drink Mixes?
All Metamucil Powder products contain the same amount of psyllium husk per dose—3.4 grams. However, dosage/serving size amounts differ by version because the sweeteners and flavorings used in each Metamucil product vary in volume.

Is it OK to take Metamucil with food? Should I take it before or after meals?
Any time of day is appropriate to take Metamucil as long as an adequate intake of fluids (at least 8 ounces of water or liquid per serving) is consumed. We recommend taking Metamucil three times per day at mealtimes as a convenient way to remember to take Metamucil. Our powdered product must be mixed with liquids, not taken in its dry form. Capsules should be taken one at a time; we do not recommend dissolving them in water. Please take Metamucil with at least 8 ounces of liquid, as indicated. For Metamucil Capsules Plus Calcium, we recommend taking them four times per day with at least 8 ounces of liquid, as indicated.

Is it OK to use Metamucil every day?
As a dietary fiber supplement:
Metamucil can be taken every day as a dietary fiber supplement. If you are considering use of Metamucil as part of a cholesterol-lowering program, please consult a doctor before using.

As a fiber laxative:
Metamucil is indicated for treating occasional constipation. Constipation persisting beyond seven days may be a sign of a more serious condition. We recommend you discuss with your doctor the use of Metamucil as a fiber laxative on a long-term basis.

Can Metamucil be used past the expiration date?
If your Metamucil has expired, please don't use it. The expiration date is on Metamucil because we have research to show that the ingredients are stable until the expiration date, if stored according to label instructions. Please discard any expired product in your trash can. Do not pour Metamucil down your drain.

Depending on the version you purchased, Metamucil has a two- to three-year shelf life. The expiration date is stamped on the bottom or side of each canister or bottle or on the back of each packet. If you purchased a box of wafers, the expiration date is stamped in ink on the side of each foil packet. The expiration dates are expressed by month and year, which means that the product can be used through the month noted.

What is the difference between Smooth Texture and Coarse Milled Original Texture?
Smooth Texture Metamucil is ground into finer particles than Coarse Milled Original Texture Metamucil. Both have the same amount of psyllium and the same efficacy. Because of individual taste differences, you may prefer either the Smooth or the Coarse Milled Original Texture Metamucil.

What is maltodextrin?
The maltodextrin in Metamucil is a carbohydrate derived from cornstarch. It is used to improve texture and aid in mixing. Maltodextrin contains approximately 25 percent digestible sugars, as compared to sucrose, or table sugar, which consists of 100 percent digestible sugars. Maltodextrin, like other carbohydrates, provides 4 kcal/g. On a per-dose basis of Metamucil, this amounts to about 6 to 8 calories coming from the maltodextrin.

How does Metamucil work for laxation?
Metamucil contains a bulk-forming fiber without any chemical stimulants. The active ingredient, psyllium, is a harvested grain that absorbs and holds moisture. This causes the psyllium to swell, supplying the necessary bulk to help form an easily eliminated stool. Metamucil will not cause immediate evacuation but generally produces an effect in 12 to 72 hours.

Why did the Metamucil label change to include both laxative and dietary fiber supplement information?
The product itself has not changed. The label has changed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a health claim for foods and dietary supplements that recognizes that diets containing soluble fiber from psyllium husk, as in Metamucil, may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol when included as part of a low-fat diet. The label now provides this information on how Metamucil can be used as a dietary fiber supplement and as a fiber laxative for regularity.

Is there any scientific or medical evidence for the heart health claim?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed extensive scientific data including numerous clinical studies to determine that psyllium husk, as in Metamucil, may reduce the risk of heart disease when part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

How soon should I expect to lower my cholesterol with soluble fiber from psyllium husk when combined with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol?
Clinical studies have shown that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, plus the recommended 7 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium husk per day, may result in a modest change in your blood total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol within several weeks (approximately one month). We recommend that you talk to your doctor about your current blood cholesterol levels and determine when you should be checked again.

How much do diets containing soluble fiber from psyllium husk lower cholesterol if taken as directed?
In clinical studies submitted to the FDA, the cholesterol-lowering benefit of soluble fiber from psyllium, when taken as directed and combined with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, was 4 to 6 percent for blood total cholesterol and about 4 to 8 percent for LDL (bad) cholesterol versus a low-fat diet alone. No change is expected in HDL (good) cholesterol based on available data.

Why should I talk to my doctor before I take Metamucil to lower cholesterol?
We recommend that you contact your doctor before using Metamucil as part of a diet to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering cholesterol. There are many factors that your doctor will need to consider, including your health, medical and family history, lifestyle, and other risk factors. Your doctor is the best one to advise you.

What are net carbs?
Net carbs are digestible carbohydrates that affect blood sugar. To find out how many net carbs something has, you simply subtract the amount of dietary fiber from the total number of carbohydrates. (Also subtract the amount of sugar alcohol and glycerine if they are included in the total carbohydrates count.)

Do Metamucil Capsules have zero net carbs?
Yes, because they are made up of 100 percent natural fiber. Dietary fiber is not absorbed by the human body and is not converted into blood sugar.