Reviews and Information for Psyllium
Psyllium Fiber Supplements
Fiber supplements made from psyllium (such as Metamucil) can help with constipation and regularity, lower cholesterol, and even reduce appetite. But our tests show that many are contaminated with lead. Find out which psyllium products passed or failed our tests which one we think is the best.
Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review
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CL Answer
Can psyllium help control hunger and appetite?
Learn more about psyllium (found in Metamucil), including effects on appetite and hunger control, results from clinical studies and safety.
CL Answer
ConsumerLab’s Review of The 'Pause Nutrition Supplements by Dr. Mary Claire Haver – Are They Worth It?
Looking into The 'Pause Nutrition supplements by Dr. Mary Claire Haver? ConsumerLab examines the value of products like Omega-3 + Vitamin D3 & K2, Fiber GDX, Skin Boost Plus, and more. Find out if these supplements are worth the price and discover affordable alternatives.
News Release
February 29, 2024
Lead Found In Psyllium Fiber Supplements
White Plains, NY, February 29, 2024 — Psyllium is an effective laxative that may also have heart health benefits, but ConsumerLab’s recent tests found lead contamination in every psyllium fiber supplement it purchased and tested.
CL Answer
Does taking a laxative interfere with the absorption of vitamins or minerals?
Information on laxative interactions with other medications and supplements such as Maalox, antibiotics, and statins and diabetes medications.
CL Answer
Which supplements and foods help relieve constipation and which can cause constipation?
Find out which supplements can cause constipation, including iron, calcium, protein powders and drinks and others. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
CL Answer
Which supplements and foods can help treat constipation?
Find out which supplements and foods can help for constipation, including fiber, flaxseed, probiotics, magnesium and fruit.
CL Answer
Do any supplements naturally suppress appetite and help with weight loss?
Learn which natural ingredients can suppress appetite and find if these natural appetite suppressants help with weight loss.
Clinical Update
3/28/2023
Psyllium: Viva Naturals
Concerned about lead found by ConsumerLab in psyllium supplements, a CL member asked Viva Naturals about the quality of its Organic Psyllium Husk Powder, which was not tested by ConsumerLab. Viva provided its quality specifications for the product. See how this compares to amounts of lead actually found in competing products in the Update to the Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among psyllium supplements.
Clinical Update
3/25/2022
Psyllium for Uncontrolled Bowel Movements
Psyllium is commonly used as a laxative, but did you know it can also help people with uncontrolled bowel movements (fecal incontinence), as noted in recent, expert guidelines? Get the details in the What It Does section of our Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among psyllium supplements.
Clinical Update
10/08/2024
Psyllium Serving Size
A CL member pointed out that a popular brand of psyllium incorrectly lists its serving size. We confirmed this with the manufacturer. For the correct information, see our Psyllium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for psyllium.
Product Review
Prebiotic Supplements Review
You Can't Tell How Much Fiber Is Really In Most Prebiotics Without Testing
CL Answer
Which supplements or foods can help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy? Are there any to avoid?
Information about heart health supplements & vitamins that help with cholesterol, including sterol esters, CoQ10, and vitamin D, and which may be bad for the heart, like calcium.
Clinical Update
2/28/2023
Psyllium for Colitis?
Can supplementing with psyllium help maintain remission in people with ulcerative colitis? Find out what research suggests in our Psyllium Supplements Review.
Also see our answer to the question: Do any supplements help for ulcerative colitis?
Clinical Update
5/21/2024
Allergy to Metamucil
Asthma and allergic reactions to psyllium fiber supplements, including Metamucil, have been reported, although not common. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Psyllium Review, which includes our Top Picks for psyllium.
CL Answer
Do any supplements help for ulcerative colitis?
Find out what supplements & vitamins can help with ulcerative colitis, such as VSL#3, curcumin, aloe or boswellia.
CL Answer
Which vitamins and minerals should be taken together or separately?
Find out the best way to take vitamins and minerals and which vitamins and minerals should be taken together or separately for proper absorption. ConsumerLab answer explains the best way to take vitamins and minerals.
Product Review
Nutrition Bars & Cookies Review (For Energy, Fiber, Protein, Meal Replacement, and Whole Foods)
Find the Best Nutrition Bar or Cookie. ConsumerLab Tests Reveals Not All Nutrition Bars and Cookies Contain What They Claim.
Clinical Update
11/18/2022
Psyllium For Lowering Cholesterol?
A CL Member asked if psyllium could help lower cholesterol and how it differs from oats. Find out in our updated CL Answer about supplements for lowering cholesterol.
Clinical Update
5/05/2023
Counterfeit Supplements
Counterfeit versions of psyllium, a multivitamin, magnesium, and eight other types of supplements from a major brand have been sold online. Details and how to avoid this are in our Psyllium Supplements Review.
A popular brand of mushroom supplements has also reported counterfeit versions of its products. Details and how to avoid this are in our Lion's Mane Review.
Clinical Update
12/22/2023
Lead in Metamucil
A recently filed lawsuit alleges that Proctor & Gamble failed to disclose "dangerous" amounts of lead in a variety of Metamucil products. Get the details, by product, in our Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review, which includes our tests of Metamucil and our Top Picks among psyllium fiber supplements.
Clinical Update
8/12/2022
ColonBroom
A CL Member recently asked us how ColonBroom, which is heavily promoted, compares to other psyllium fiber supplements. Find out in our Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
1/30/2024
Ulcerative Colitis
Find out if drinking coconut water or taking psyllium helped people with active ulcerative colitis in recent studies. Also see our Top Picks among coconut waters and psyllium supplements.
CL Answer
Which supplements and foods can help lower or control blood sugar?
Find out which supplements can help lower or control blood sugar. Supplements including turmeric/curcumin, fiber, cinnamon, and ginseng are believed to help lower blood sugar.
CL Answer
Which supplements or OTC medications help reduce flatulence (gas), and are there any that make it worse?
Find out which supplements may help reduce flatulence (gas), and learn which supplements or foods may worsen symptoms of flatulence.
Product Review
Baobab Dried Fruit Pulp Review Article
What Are the Benefits of Baobab Dried Fruit Pulp? Find Out What's In Baobab Super Fruit Products, Safety, Side Effects & More.
CL Answer
Do any supplements help for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
IBS supplements may help reduce irritable bowel symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and constipation. Supplements include probiotics, melatonin, and flaxseed.
CL Answer
Are there supplements I should take, or take differently, when intermittent fasting?
Supplements that may help when intermittent fasting. Information about whey protein, CoQ10, magnesium and others, plus coffee, fiber and more.
CL Answer
Which dietary supplements, health foods or spices contain high levels of lead?
Information about lead and heavy metals in vitamins, supplements and foods. Information on the adverse effects of lead.
Clinical Update
5/31/2023
Best Fiber Supplement for Constipation?
Which type of fiber supplement is best for treating mild, chronic constipation? See what experts recommend, and why, in the What It Does section of our Psyllium Supplements Review.
Clinical Update
10/10/2023
Constipation & Supplements
Find out which supplements medical experts recommend for chronic versus occasional constipation. See the Laxative use section of our Psyllium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick among products.
Also see: Which supplements and foods help relieve constipation and which can cause constipation?
Clinical Update
10/11/2022
Kiwi for Constipation?
Can eating kiwifruit reduce constipation as well as psyllium fiber? Find out what a recent study showed in our updated answer to the question: Which supplements and foods help relieve constipation and which can cause constipation?
Clinical Update
3/08/2024
Benefiber, Meta Mucil Tested
Find out how Benefiber compares to less expensive Optifiber and about its health claims, and how Meta Mucil Fiber Gummies is different from other Meta Mucil products we’ve tested. It’s all in our updated Prebiotic Supplements Review.
Also see our recent tests of psyllium supplements.
Clinical Update
3/12/2024
Lead in Meta Mucil
A CL member asked why Meta Mucil 4-in-1 Fiber powder was not tested by us this year. It is because of the lead contamination we found when we tested it in 2021, as noted in our recent report. Hoping to find less contamination, this year we tested Meta Mucil 3-in-1 capsules, as well as Meta Mucil Fiber Gummies (a prebiotic).
See our Top Picks among psyllium fiber and prebiotic fiber supplements.
CL Answer
Are Balance of Nature products good dietary supplements?
Do Balance of Nature supplements "Fruits" and "Veggies" supplements really provide the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, and are they worth the cost? Find out.
CL Answer
7 Red Flags to Watch Out For When Buying Vitamins & Supplements
When it comes to buying vitamins and supplements, it's buyer beware. ConsumerLab explains seven red flags to look out for on labels when choosing and buying vitamins or supplements, including claims of "FDA Approved" laboratories, what to look for in the ingredient list, and more.
Product Review
Vitamin K Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium & Boron)
Find Out If It's Worth Taking Vitamin K and Which Products Are Best
Product Review
Calcium and Bone Health Supplements Review (Including Vitamins D & K, Magnesium and Boron)
See Which Bone Health Supplements Are Top Picks and Which Fail
Recalls & Warnings
January 15, 2024
Suprex Carb & Sugar Block Recalled
On December 7, 2023, Vita 360, LLC issued a recall of one lot of SUPREX Plant Based Nutrition Carb & Sugar Block after FDA analysis found it to contain only 16 mcg of chromium per serving and not 100 mcg of chromium per serving, as listed on the label.
Product Review
Magnesium Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamins D & K, and Boron)
Find Out What Magnesium Does, Who Needs It, and Our Top Picks Among Supplements
News Release
February 24, 2022
Consumers Returned to Pre-Pandemic Supplement Usage in 2021, ConsumerLab Survey Reveals
White Plains, New York, February 24, 2022 —A survey of 8,049 people who use dietary supplements shows many supplements that declined in use in 2020 began bouncing back in 2021, such as magnesium (+2.4 percentage points), and CoQ10 (+2.7 pts).
Product Review
Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Boron)
Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems
CL Answer
I take omeprazole (Prilosec), a proton pump inhibitor, to reduce stomach acid. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug?
Supplement interactions with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs like omeprazole (Prilosec) and Nexium.
CL Answer
Where to Safely Buy Real Vitamins and Supplements Online, Not Fakes or Counterfeits
ConsumerLab explains how to avoid counterfeit vitamins and supplements when shopping online on Amazon, Walmart.com, and other sites. Learn to identify authorized sites and sellers and avoid fake supplements. Use the brand-by-brand guide to protect yourself from risk.
Recalls & Warnings
June 02, 2022
Prune & Senna Softgels Recalled Due to Undeclared Peanuts
On March 26, 2022, Indiana Botanic Gardens Inc. issued a voluntary recall of one lot of Botanic Choice brand Prune & Senna Softgels because the product contained undeclared peanuts.
Recalls & Warnings
April 24, 2021
Metal Reported in Church & Dwight Gummy Melatonin, Multis & Fiber Supplements
On April 20, 2021, Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Recalls & Warnings
September 18, 2012
Maker of Noni, Nopal, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Supplements Warned For Drug Claims, Misbranding, and Manufacturing Violations
On August 27, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Naturavit, Inc. for making statements about dietary supplements Noni Imperial Hawaiian, Garlic and Parsley, Cholestol, Nopal and Diatrin that constitute drug claims.
Recalls & Warnings
August 29, 2012
FDA Warns Maker of Silver Colloids, Detox and Shell Powder Supplements For Drug Claims, Misbranding
On August 15, 2012, the FDA issued a warning to Healing Ways for statements made on the company's website that constitute drug claims for the company's dietary supplements Silver Colloids, ABC Detox Program and Shell Powder Products.
