MiraFiber vs Citrucel – detailed comparison:
MiraFiber
It uses a unique type of fiber (made from methylcellulose) which is associated with less gas and bloating than other fiber supplements. It also helps you to support regularity.
Ingredients
Ingredients that are found in this product include – Methylcellulose, Sodium Chloride, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Stearate, Yellow #6, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Silicon Dioxide.
Health Benefits
Reduces Cholesterol
Methylcellulose is a soluble fiber that has been shown to reduce LDL and total blood cholesterol levels.
This is very important since the reduction of LDL cholesterol must be of prime concern in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, according to a study done by the European Society of Cardiology.
Gut Bacteria Health
Research has found that a healthy microbiome may play an important role in reducing inflammation levels in the body. This soluble fiber is mostly fermentable and contributes to overall colon health.
Increases Satiety
This type of fiber helps with weight loss since it makes you feel full for longer after eating and slows the process of food emptying from the stomach.
Dosage
This product is recommended for adults and children 12 years of age and older. Start with 2 caplets. Increase as required up to 6 times a day.
Note – take this supplement with at least 8 ounces of water or other fluid. Do not use this supplement at least 14 days before having surgery.
Side Effects
Side effects may include:
- no bowel movement within 3 days after using this product;
- rectal bleeding;
- severe stomach cramps.
To be sure that this product is safe to use, tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had:
- infective bowel disease;
- fecal impaction (hard stool in the gut);
- intestinal atony (loss of intestinal muscle strength);
- an obstruction of the intestine;
- difficulty swallowing.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may change the effect of this supplement. Therefore, tell your healthcare professional about other drugs you currently use.
Citrucel
This product is also made from methylcellulose, a plant fiber – the structural part of plant foods like vegetables, grains, fruits, seeds, legumes, and grains – that our bodies cannot break down or digest. As a result, methylcellulose produces less gas than other treatments.
That is due to the fact that methylcellulose is a soluble fiber. While soluble fiber ferments in the large intestine and creates uncomfortable gas, this fiber is a non-fermentable, soluble fiber.
This means that it has none of the downsides (no fermentation, which causes uncomfortable gas) of soluble fiber and all of the benefits (better regularity and increased water absorption).
Moreover, methylcellulose is used in many different products, like – paint and wallpaper paste, shampoo, toothpaste, and even ice cream.
Other ingredients – FD&C yellow #6, dibasic calcium phosphate (a calcium supplement usually found in prepared breakfast cereals), citric acid, and aspartame.
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Health Benefits
Reduces The Risk Of Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is a condition that can happen while straining during a bowel movement, such as – constipation. By preventing constipation and intestinal blockages, soluble fiber helps reduce the risk of developing small folds in the large intestine and hemorrhoids.
Good For Constipation
This supplement is effective for people who experience constipation. It does so by increasing the stool’s bulk that helps to prompt movement by the intestines.
According to the producer’s information, this product is cleared for use in children with constipation who are as young as 6 years of age.
Dosage
This product is designed to be taken by mouth once it has been thoroughly dissolved in cold water.
The usual recommended dosage for adults and children 12 years of age and over is 1 tbs, up to 3 times per day.
The usual recommended dosage for children 6-11 years of age is 2.5 level tsp. Increase the dose as required, up to 3 times per day.
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Side Effects
Common side effects may include:
- severe abdominal pain;
- rumbling stomach;
- nausea;
- mild abdominal cramps;
- bloating;
- vomiting;
- upset stomach;
- difficulty swallowing;
- diarrhea.
Drug Interactions
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this product may negatively interact with several medications, especially:
- digoxin (a medication used to treat various heart conditions);
- cholesterol-lowering drugs;
- lithium;
- tricyclic antidepressants;
- type 2 diabetes Mellitus drugs (like Metformin).
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MiraFiber vs Citrucel – Which Is Better For Diarrhea?
MiraFiber is a fiber supplement that is made from methylcellulose and is associated with less gas and bloating than other fiber supplements.
Citrucel is also a fiber supplement that is made from methylcellulose, a soluble fiber that can’t ferment.
In conclusion, both products contain a soluble fiber called methylcellulose. The interesting thing about this soluble fiber is that it can mop up excess fluid and will turn into a gel-like substance in your gut. This will cause the stools to become bulkier and not so runny, and most of the extra fluid present in diarrhea will be soaked up.
Regarding the price, MiraFiber is cheaper.
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Resources https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2327-6924.12447 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221226721631187X https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-health