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Difference Between Metamucil and Probiotics
Metamucil and probiotics are both beneficial to digestive health. The fibre supplement Metamucil is also sold under the brand name Metamucil Laxative, which is used to relieve constipation. In contrast, probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are alive and present in the digestive tract. Their dissimilarities are explored further in this article.
What is Metamucil?
Metamucil is a psyllium-based fiber supplement (a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata and sometimes called ispaghula).
Uses − When used in conjunction with a healthy diet, it can be effective in alleviating excessive cholesterol and occasional constipation. Advocacy for its ability to aid in the regulation of blood sugar, cardiovascular health, and electrolyte balance. In addition, the soluble fibre in Metamucil may aid in weight reduction by decreasing appetite and easing digestion.
Dosage − Adults should usually take a single dosage with 8 ounces of fluids. Half the adult dose should be given in 8 ounces of fluids to kids aged 6-11.
Ingredients − 70% of Metamucil is soluble fibre, whereas 30% is insoluble. Some of the ingredients in "Smooth Texture Sugar-Free Unflavored Metamucil Powder" are: sodium, calcium, citric acid, potassium, and maltodextrin. Ingredients including fake orange flavour, sucrose, Yellow 6, and natural citric acid are found in Metamucil's different flavours and forms (such orange flavour, course milled, capsules, etc.).
Side Effects − Stomachache, difficulty in swallowing, rash, vomiting, itching, nausea, and trouble breathing are all possible adverse reactions.
What are Probiotics?
The term "probiotics" comes from the combination of the Latin preposition "pro," meaning "for," and the Greek word "biotic," meaning "life".
Benefits − The range of health-promoting probiotics includes the following −
Beneficial for those who suffer from lactose intolerance.
Consuming yoghurt with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus has been demonstrated to alleviate lactose intolerance symptoms.
Effective in treating digestive problems
Treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea with Leuconostoc cremoris and Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Saccharomyces, or Streptococcus spp. (singly or in combination) was found to be protective.
Potentially reduces the occurrence or severity of respiratory illnesses
One study found that by boosting T cells, yoghurt containing Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 might help reduce the severity of respiratory tract infections.
Additionally, probiotics have been studied and shown to be beneficial in alleviating a variety of other conditions, including but not limited to − urinary tract infections − chronic kidney diseases; bacterial vaginosis −androgenetic alopecia −dental caries − osteoporosis − hand, foot, and mouth disease − immunity disorders; and metabolic disorders.
Sources of Probiotics − Probiotics may be found in many fermented foods, including yoghurt, cheeses, and pickled vegetables, but they can also be found naturally in the human digestive tract. Bifidobacteria (found frequently in dietary supplements) and Lactobacillus are two of the most prevalent types (naturally found in the mouth, small intestine, and vagina). Bacillus animalis, Bacillus breve, Bacillus lactis, Bacillus longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus reuteri are some of the most prevalent strains.
Side Effects − A person whose immune system has been compromised by sickness or medicine may be more susceptible to getting sick after taking probiotics. While probiotics have been shown to be safe for most people, they have been linked to a variety of uncomfortable side effects.
Differences between Metamucil and Probiotics
The following table highlights the major differences between Metamucil and Probiotics −
Characteristics |
Metamucil |
Probiotics |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Metamucil is a psyllium-based fibre supplement. |
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms like bacteria and yeasts that are administered to the digestive tract in the form of a supplement. |
Causes |
In addition to a healthy diet, Metamucil can help with occasional constipation and high cholesterol. Advocacy for its ability to aid in the regulation of blood sugar, cardiovascular health, and electrolyte balance. In addition, the soluble fibre in Metamucil may aid in weight reduction by decreasing appetite and easing digestion. |
Probiotics have a wide range of health benefits, including easing symptoms of lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, chronic kidney disease, bacterial vaginosis, androgenic alopecia, dental caries, osteoporosis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, immune system disorders, and metabolic syndrome. |
Symptoms |
Adults should usually take a single dosage with 8 ounces of fluids. Half the adult dose should be given in 8 ounces of fluids to kids aged 6-11. |
It is conditional on the product, strain, and circumstance as to what the ideal probiotic dosage is. It has been found that giving infants and young children 1 to 2 x 1010 colony forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG daily reduces the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by 71%. The highest effective dose of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for treating infectious diarrhoea was found in clinical studies to be 1010 colony forming units (CFU) per day. Despite the lack of a standard dose, the average adult receives between 5 and 10 billion CFU each day. |
Treatment |
The psyllium husk in Metamucil is said to be all-natural, consisting of 70% soluble fibre and 30% insoluble fibre. |
Probiotics may be found in many fermented foods, including yoghurt, cheeses, and pickled vegetables, but they can also be found naturally in the human digestive tract. Bifidobacteria (found frequently in dietary supplements) and Lactobacillus are two of the most prevalent types (naturally found in the mouth, small intestine, and vagina). Bacillus animalis, B. breve, B. lactis,B. longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus reuteri are some of the more prevalent strains. |
Complications |
Stomach discomfort, difficulty swallowing, skin rash, vomiting, itching, nausea, and trouble breathing are all possible adverse effects of Metamucil. |
One potential downside of taking probiotics is becoming sick if your immune system is already compromised due to sickness or drugs. While probiotics have been shown to be safe for most people, they have been linked to a variety of uncomfortable side-effects. |
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed in detail the differences between Metamucil and Probiotics.
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