 Confused about which fiber to use? consider acacia fiber.
I am hoping the following will provide necessary details about various brands and perhaps a thought to considering one that is effective and gentle.
The recommended intake of fiber for an average person is 25 to 35 grams per day (source: the American Dietetic Association.The leading brands use a range of different fibers in their products. The most common type of fiber is psyllium, a soluble plant fiber found in Metamucil and Konsyl. This is a popular fiber for helping to relieve constipation, and it may also help general IBS symptoms. It is worth noting though that some people do experience problems with psyllium fiber and may find another type less harsh on their stomachs.
Other brands use methylcellulose (a plant fiber found in Citrucel), calcium polycarbophil (a synthetic fiber found in Fibercon and Equalactin)this can be a problem for lactose intolerant people, and guar gum (the plant fiber in Benefiber, although some Benefiber products now use wheat dextrin as well). A final type of fiber, acacia fiber, is also available.
Because they are made from different ingredients, fiber supplements also contain differing amounts of actual fiber per dose. Here is a rough guide to the fiber quantities in each product.
Acacia fiber 4.5 grams
Metamucil 3.4 grams
Benefiber 3 grams
Citrucel 2 grams
Fibercon 1 grams
If you've never tried a fiber supplement before I would recommend trying Acacia Fiber. I would recommend this one because it is not a psyllium product which can cause irritation to sensitive tracts. It contains a high level of fiber per dose (4.5 grams), and Acacia Fiber is also designed to have prebiotic properties, meaning that it helps to nourish the friendly bacteria in the gut which can help digestion. It may be the answer for many who can't seem to find something effective. Having a wider range of information regarding fiber is important in that for many it takes awhile to find what works for them. Best wishes, Donegal27
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