Metamucil Can Cause Heartburn

I have been using Metamucil, about every other day or so, for months. Hubby and I started taking one glass of powder in water in the evening after he received some blood work indicating his lipid count was slightly high. Metamucil can help reduce cholesterol. (See my post Metamucil For Lowering Cholesterol)

For about a week, I have been getting heart burn nightly. I have had a few dietary changes over the last few weeks (see my posts on the Anti-Candida Diet) including a giant increase in my consumption of nuts and seeds, and lemon juice. I also take fish oil capsules, and have been told by one person that fish oil caused them to get heart burn. So basically, my thoughts were everywhere but on the Metamusil. By process of elimination, I got there. So this morning I decided to do a little internet searching just to eliminate the possibility. Bingo, I've found my source.

Here are a couple of places where others have indicated having the same issue:

Here

And here

Neither of these gives any explanation as to why this occurs in some people, but shows that others have experienced the same effects I am. I'll try to find something a little more scientific...

I have to add that after doing a bunch of reading, there are other side effects as well. Before taking Metamucil, do a little research. If you have a pre-existing condition for which you are taking Metamucil, or other fiber supplement, read what others with a similar condition have experienced. Some with ulcerative colitis or other conditions have had difficulty tolerating Metamucil. For some, it is a wonderful, side-effect-free experience with many bonuses. For others, not so much.

UPDATE: Since writing this, I have decided to try experimenting with flavorless Metamucil to see if made a difference in how well my belly tolerated it. I bought this:

I wanted to give it a few days to see if that made a difference. I have now taken this kind (description below) three times, in the evening.

Metamucil, Clear and Natural, Clear-Mixing Powder. Flavor-free and taste-free, this one is made from 100% inulin, natural vegetable fiber. This kind calls for one TEAspoon per 8+ ounces of water. (The orange flavor kind calls for one TABLEspoon per 8+ ounces of water.

I have had no heartburn at all with this product. It is quite different from the orange flavored kind. It stirs clear in the water, and you cannot tell it's in there when you drink it. Very different from the orange kind, which is very obvious in the water (despite the flavor) as it is very thick. The longer it sits in the water, the thicker it becomes. If you don't stir as you drink, you can end up with a sludge at the bottom of the glass. It's a very different experience, and so far, a better one for me. For those with physical reactions to the other kind, it's definitely worth a try. And who needs the flavor, really. And who needs the sugar?? I'm glad to have found an alternative. 

Metamucil For Lowering Cholesterol

Recently my husband had a physical, which included blood work. He was informed that his lipids are "slightly elevated." He wasn't given medication. He was thrown a bit by this news because he is careful about what he eats and has started exercising pretty regularly. I read about it online, and discovered that a tendency toward high blood cholesterol/lipids is inherited. Though this probably brought hubby some relief, it didn't change the fact, and so he/we are on a mission to change it. The first thing I did, of course, was to look into natural remedies. I turned to the Holistic Moms Network. (for more info. on HMN, see the button/link on my blog) I immediately started to receive responses from people around the country. The one that stuck out to me was a woman who said that taking Metamucil reduced her cholesterol by around 40 points in about 3 months. Wow! I went online and did a little research on this. The information was there and very available. The National Fiber Council has a neat section called "What Fiber Does For You." which includes the statement, Fiber can help lower cholesterol by absorbing fat and cholesterol from food. (Pat Baird, registered dietitian and NFC Vice-chair)" 


I told hubby about this, and bought some right away. Right on the front of the can it reads, "Helps Lower Cholesterol!" Metamucil is known for its other popular use, which is to assist with bowel functioning. But it obviously has a pretty great secondary (or is is primary?) use. So we're using it. We took some last night. The can I got is orange flavor, and I liken it to drinking apricot nectar. It wasn't bad. 


*Note: Although the information on the can recommends taking one heaping tablespoon in at least 8 oz of water THREE times a day, it also recommends starting off using it ONCE per day, and building up to three times a day. It stresses that it is important to add the powder to at LEAST 8 oz of water. The stuff is kinda thick, and can be hard to swallow if not diluted well. 


**Another note: It is (hopefully obviously) most important to eat a diet that is high in vegetables and fruits, low in meats and dairy, and low in fried foods and junk. Exercise is key too. And know your history. If your folks have or had high lipids/cholesterol, you are more likely to develop this issue also. 


Update: Please read my 1/21/11 post on Metamucil and Heartburn