Fiber and Digestive Health
There's a Metamucil® Product for Every Patient
There have been many confirmed reports on the efficacy of psyllium fiber in regard to laxation. Here are some select reports:
Bulk laxatives and fiber increased bowel movement frequency by an overall weighted average of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.8) bowel movements per week. Fiber and bulk laxatives decreased abdominal pain and improved stool consistency compared with placebo. Most nonbulk laxative data concerning abdominal pain and stool consistency were inconclusive, though cisapride, lactulose, and lactitol improved consistency. Data concerning superiority of various treatments were inconclusive.
Tramonte, Sharon M., Brand, Michael B., Mulrow, Cynthia D., et al. "The treatment of chronic constipation in adults, a systematic review." J Gen Intern Med. 12:15-24. 1997.
Suares, NC, Ford, AC. "Systematic review: the effects of fibre in the management of chronic idiopathic constipation." Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 33: 895-901. 2011.
*Psyllium fiber is recognized by the FDA to treat occasional constipation and help lower cholesterol. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. One adult dose of Metamucil has at least 2.1 grams of this soluble fiber. Use as directed. May contain trace amounts of gluten. If you have specific dietary needs, you should consult your doctor before consuming this product. This Metamucil product has a low glycemic index, a measure of the effect of dietary carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.
1 Based on Pharmacy Times 2011 survey (laxative: bulk/fiber category)2 Among recommendations in a Wolters Kluwer survey 2010 (therapeutic fiber category)
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