Leigh asked
I take Benefiber in the morning, but I would also like to start taking Metamucil at night. If I take these two different brands of fiber supplements in a day, would there be any interactions between the two?
At a glance
- Metamucil (psyllium) and Benefiber (wheat dextrin) are both forms of soluble fiber that help encourage regular bowel movements.
- While there are no known interactions between these two fiber supplements, too much fiber in your diet can cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Dietary sources of fiber sources such as beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables contain a greater variety of fiber and provide essential nutrients that are not found in fiber supplements.
Answer
Metamucil and Benefiber are both forms of soluble fiber that help encourage regular bowel movements.
Metamucil contains psyllium husk, which is a natural form of fiber that is made from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds.
Benefiber contains wheat dextrin and partially hydrolyzed guar gum. Both wheat dextrin and partially hydrolyzed guar gum are natural forms of fiber and are also considered “prebiotics” which just means they help encourage healthy intestinal flora (the bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract).
It is generally best to get your fiber from dietary sources such as beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables because these foods contain a greater variety of fiber and also provide you with other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
That being said, sometimes it is not always possible to get your recommended daily amount of fiber through your diet. In these circumstances, fiber supplements such as Metamucil or Benefiber can be a great choice! You could certainly use them together to help you take in the recommended amount of fiber per day.
The recommended daily amount of fiber differs based on your age and sex. According to the Institute of Medicine, 38 grams of fiber per day are recommended for males and 25 grams for females for those under the age of 50. For individuals greater than age 51, they recommend 30 grams per day for males and 21 grams for females.
Consuming too much fiber can result in problems such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal issues. For this reason, it is not recommended to exceed more than 40 grams per day and to increase your fiber intake gradually to allow your intestinal flora to adjust to the change in fiber intake.
Additionally, it is important to drink plenty of water when taking a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or Benefiber. This will help the fiber work better and will help you avoid constipation and other side effects.
References
- Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2005., Google Scholar
