i recently picked up some metamucil at the grocery store, inspired by the few commercials i had seen for fiber supplement products. i figure it can only be good.

do any of you use it?

at first i was excited, thinking that adding a little fiber to my diet would aid in weight loss, or at the very least be good for my cholesterol (for which i have no idea what its at). but, after reading some stuff on the web about how laxatives can make you retain water and gain after time scares me. but its not really listed as a laxative per se on the front of the bottle..


toss it and chalk it up to a silly uneducated impulse buy?

Metemucil is traditionally used to "bulk up" your stools in order to help push digested food through your system. Its not a laxative..and in fact, if you use it too often, you will end up with constipation. If you are looking for something to help you go..then your best bet would be to try a stool softener such as lactulose or you could also try Sodium Dulcocate. Metemucil is a great option if you dont get enough fibre in your diet and it may help you feel a little fuller if you take it before eating...however..as i said..a stool softener or a laxative will give you the "Emptying " effect...but be warned: Laxatives are dangerous if used on a consisten basis and can cause major problems down the road if abused..so please only use if constipated for more than three days.

I don't think you have to worry about any water retention from Metamucil. The fiber in it is all natural and there are no other ingredients found in laxatives. And as you pointed out, it can help reduce your cholesterol. Adding fiber supplements might not be helpful with weight loss but choosing high fiber foods will probably help.