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Taking fiber supplements every day seems to be safe. Popular fiber supplements include inulin, psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) and methylcellulose (Citrucel). Fiber is good for the body. It helps the bowel work well and prevents constipation. Fiber can help lower cholesterol and help you feel full, which might help control overeating.
In general, whole foods are better for you than fiber supplements. Fiber supplements don't provide the variety of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other healthful nutrients that whole foods do. Your healthcare professional may recommend a fiber supplement if diet changes don't add enough fiber to your diet or if you have certain health conditions.
Dietary supplements may not be enough While dietary supplements can help, you might also need prescription medications to get your cholesterol numbers to a safe level. Be sure to tell your doctor if you take any type of dietary supplement, because some can interact with medications you may be taking.
Nutritional supplements are meant to complement a healthy diet, not replace it. If you're in good health and you eat a wide variety of foods, you likely don't need supplements. But sometimes, fortified foods and dietary supplements may help provide one or more nutrients.
The suggested amount of daily fiber depends on your age and how many calories you take in each day. Current dietary guidelines for Americans suggests that people age 2 and older get 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories in the daily diet. For children ages 12 months through 23 months, the guidelines suggest getting 19 grams of fiber a day.
For people who take calcium supplements and multivitamins, it's best to take them at different times of day. Calcium can affect how the body takes in the nutrients iron, zinc and magnesium. And don't take a calcium supplement at the same time as a meal that's high in iron.
Stores sell dietary supplements as health aids. People take them by mouth. Dietary supplements often have vitamins, minerals, fiber, caffeine, herbs and other plants in them. Some of the most popular supplements claim to improve diet, boost energy, build muscle or burn fat.
Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria (normal microflora) in the body. Prebiotics are foods (typically high-fiber foods) that act as food for human microflora.
Calcium is important for bone health throughout your life. Although diet is the best way to get calcium, calcium supplements may be an option if your diet falls short. Before you consider calcium supplements, be sure you understand how much calcium you need, the pros and cons of calcium supplements, and which type of supplement to choose.
Over-the-counter fiber supplements or stool softeners. If your child doesn't get a lot of fiber in his or her diet, adding an over-the-counter fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, might help. However, your child needs to drink at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) of water daily for these products to work well.