Fiber Supplement Chart



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I. Comparison of Powder Fiber Brands

Metamucil® Citrucel® Benefiber® Fibersure®
Active Ingredient Psyllium husk Methylcellulose Wheat dextrim Inulin
Is Active Natural? Natural Semi Synthetic   Natural
FDA Approval for Laxation? Yes Yes No No
Grams of Active /Day for Laxation 2.5 – 30 grams 4 – 6 grams Not approved for laxative Not approved for laxative
Amount of Active/Dose 3.4 grams 2 grams 3 grams 5 grams
Required # of Doses/Day for Laxation 1 2 Not approved for laxative Not approved for laxative
Lower Blood Cholesterol? Yes No May No data
Soluble Fiber/Insoluble Fiber? 70% soluble 100% soluble 100% soluble 100% soluble
Active holds water? Yes Yes No No
Active forms a gel? Yes No No No
Active Bulks Stools? Yes Partially No No
Active Traps Bile Acids? Yes No No No data
Active is Fermentable? Partially fermentable No No No date
Helps lower blood pressure? Yes No data No data No data
Helps control obesity? No No No data No data
Helps lower blood sugar? Yes No data No data No data
Helps lower the risk of heart disease? Yes No data No data No data

II. Comparison of Solid Dose Fiber Brands

Metamucil® Capsules Fibercon® Swallowable
Caplets		 Citrucel® Swallowable Caplets Fiberchoice®
Active Ingredient Psyllium husk Calcium Polycarbophil Methylcellulose Inulin
Is Active Natural? Natural Synthetic Semi Synthetic Natural
FDA Approval for Laxation? Yes Yes Yes No
Grams of Active/Day for Laxation 2.5 – 30 grams 4 – 6 grams 4 – 6 grams 5 grams
Amount of Active/Dose 0.525 grams/capsule 5 capsules/dose 0.625 g
(eq. 0.5 g
polycarbophile)
/caplet 2 caplet/dose		 0.5 grams/caplet 2 caplets/dose 2grams/tablet 2 tablets/dose
Required # of Doses/Day for Laxation 1 4 4  
Required # of Caplets/Day for Laxation 5 8 8  
Lower Blood Cholesterol? Yes No No No
Soluble Fiber/Insoluble Fiber? 70% soluble 100% insoluble 100% soluble 100% insoluble
Active holds water? Yes Yes Yes No
Active forms a gel? Yes Yes No No
Active Bulks Stools? Yes Yes Partially No
Active Traps Bile Acids? Yes No data No No data
Active is Fermentable? Partially fermentable No No No



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