Metamucil For Weight Loss

In the year 2001 Tufts University medical researchers discovered that a link was present between the intake of all kinds of foods containing dietary fiber, and successful loss of weight. For those people who were on a diet, an increase in the amount of fiber in the diet provides a full sensation after eating a meal. The simple addition of only 14 gm (about 1/2 ounce) per day to the food consumed daily causes a 10% lowering of calories consumed on average. The net result of this reduction is lost weight.

The American Heart Association suggestions recommend the consumption of 25 to 30 grams every day for good health. The Tufts University study indicates that a minimum of 25 gm daily would likely result in less overweight problems in the United States. The Metamucil brand will supply from at least 12% of the RDA (recommended daily allowance) for the ready to mix powder, ranging up to 20% of the recommended daily allowance for wafers.

Happily this is just right for people on weight loss diets. The active ingredient is pysillium which is made from the husk of a seed. One capsule has just 2 calories, and one suggested serving of the powder has just 25. The wafers are considerably higher in count, with around 120 per two pieces (suggested serving). These are a good tasting snack meal which will help to cut down on any hunger or craving for food.

Some other lesser known name brands of pysillium based products have very much the same content, but in many cases cost a lot less than Metamucil does. These other brands are quite similar in their effects, but it should be noted that those types which are of clear color should not be used, due to the fact that they usually do not bulk up while in the stomach, and do not assuage feelings of hunger.

The FDA rules are that foods containing anything less than 40 calories per serving are low calorie items, and those foods which have between 100 and 399 per serving are considered to be moderate foods. Nearly all products made from pysillium are in these two categories, and this makes them effective as aids for losing weight, and will also provide a satisfactory quantity of fiber for daily requirements.

Metamucil is a safe and effective product, and it also provides constipation relief which was it's original purpose. People frequently report feeling full, and it has been noted that a relatively few cases report abdominal distress or bloating. In some cases people could be allergic to pysillium, just as this problem is found with some other grains or seeds, but this is in actuality rather rare. In the overall picture these medications are safe to use, and can certainly give help in losing weight.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7404701