Does Metamucil Cause Gas And Bloating?
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Metamucil can improve digestion and bowel movement, as well as have some other benefits such as controlling your appetite. This is because Metamucil’s main ingredient is psyllium husk. Metamucil has few side effects and one is it can cause excess flatulence and bloating, adding metamucil to foods that cause gas list. Let’s see why.
Metamucil Ingredients
Metamucil’s ingredients can vary by product and country. You will need to double-check each product’s ingredients you use. However, the psyllium husk is the main ingredient that can lead to gas problems. Many powders also contain a lot of sugar. The other ingredients are just flavoring and coloring that won’t cause any gas problems.
It is important to note that the psyllium shell is almost the most soluble fiber. This will be discussed in detail shortly.
Can Metamucil cause excessive gas?
Some carbohydrates are not well-absorbed in the small intestine or stomach. They are carried into the large intestine where bacteria ferment them, producing gas as a byproduct. Gas is usually a good thing as it “feeds” good bacteria, which is important for good health in many ways.
But, soluble fiber expands in the presence of water and forms a gel-like substance that moves slower than insoluble fiber.
This is why, even though both types can produce gas, soluble fiber usually produces more gas because it has been fermented for longer periods.
Why Metamucil Can Cause Bloating and Gas?
These two pieces can now be combined:
- Metamucil is mainly psyllium-husk, which has a high level of soluble fiber.
- Soluble fiber creates gas in the stomach
Bloating can occur when someone consumes too much fiber or too little.
Is Metamucil likely to cause a problem?
It varies from product to product. Usually, you can find 3g of fiber in a teaspoon of Metamucil powder. The packaging suggests consuming up to 6 teaspoons daily, which would give you 18 grams of fiber (mostly soluble).
This is why adults should consume at least 20-40g of fiber daily from all sources. It’s easy for someone to get too excited about Metamucil if they don’t eat enough fiber. This is why it is recommended to start with a small amount per day and gradually increase.
Psyllium Husk can cause allergic reactions in some people
Although it’s very rare, some people are allergic to psyllium husk. This can lead to stomach pain, bloating, or other symptoms such as hives and swelling around the throat.
For further treatment, consult a doctor if you suspect that this may be an issue.
Is the Sugar in Metamucil a Contributor to Gas Problems
- The high sugar content in certain Metamucil products is another potential problem.
- Some products contain maltodextrin, a simple sugar. This is easy to digest and shouldn’t cause any gas problems.
- However, sucrose is often listed as an ingredient, this is a 1:1 mixture of glucose and fructose. Glucose can be easily digested, but fructose cannot and can cause gas in certain people (particularly those with IBS).
A small percentage of people do not have sucrase which is the enzyme that breaks down sucrose. This leads to sucrose fermenting in the gut and forming gas.
Does bloating from Metamucil go away?
Metamucil side effects include abdominal cramping and bloating. They can sometimes be accompanied by feeling gassy. Bloating is often caused by people not drinking enough water after taking their Metamucil dose. Bloating is usually temporary and disappears once your body adjusts.
Begin with one Metamucil daily, and then increase gradually to the desired amount. As your body adjusts to the additional fiber, you may feel gas or bloating for the first few days. This is normal and should disappear as your body adjusts to the additional fiber.
Key takeaways: Can Metamucil Cause Gas?
Gas and bloating can be attributed to the excess fermentation of carbohydrates within the gut.
Side effects of psyllium fiber in Metamucil, particularly when it is consumed in large quantities by people not used to it, cause gas and bloating.
Moreover, certain Metamucil products may contain sugar, which could cause gas problems. However, it is unlikely that this will be the main concern.
If all other possible causes of gas are ruled out, it is possible to have allergies to psyllium Husk or sugar intolerance in rare cases.
