Citrucel is a fiber supplement that uses methylcellulose to boost your daily fiber intake. Read our Citrucel review today to learn if it’s the right choice for you.
What is Citrucel?
Citrucel is a fiber supplement created by the GSK Group of Companies. The supplement uses methylcellulose to boost your body’s daily absorption of fiber.
The makers of Citrucel claim that most Americans only get 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day, which is 10 to 20 grams less than the recommended amount according to the American Dietetic Association.
Foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are all good sources of fiber, although it’s hard for people to eat a sufficient amount of fiber every day. That’s why people take fiber supplements like Citrucel.
Benefits of Citrucel
Citrucel’s benefits are the same as any fiber supplement:
–Increase digestive regularity
-Reduce symptoms of constipation
–Encourage your body’s healthy digestion and natural elimination processes
-Avoid the use of harsh chemical stimulants
Citrucel uses a specific type of fiber called methylcellulose. The makers of the supplement claim it’s “the only fiber for regularity that won’t cause excess gas”. That’s because methylcellulose is a non-soluble fiber. While soluble fibers ferment in the in large intestine and create uncomfortable gas, Citrucel is a non-fermentable, soluble fiber. That means it has all of the benefits of soluble fiber (increased water absorption and better regularity) with none of the downsides (no fermentation that causes uncomfortable gas).
With these benefits in mind, let’s take a look at the three core Citrucel products on the market.
Citrucel Products
There are currently three Citrucel products on the market, including all of the following:
Orange Mix
This is a great-tasting, easy-to-mix powder you can add to any juice or water. The fiber formula claims to be gentle and proven effective. It’s available in 16oz or 30oz varieties. You take it daily to work as a bulk-forming fiber laxative.
Each rounded tablespoon of formula contains 2 grams of methylcellulose fiber along with 80mg of calcium and 110mg of potassium.
Fiber Caplets
The Citrucel fiber caplets are for those who like the benefits of Citrucel fiber, but want to avoid the mess of using the powder supplement. Each two caplet dose of Citrucel contains one gram of methylcellulose fiber, compared to two grams of methylcellulose in the powder version. You take the caplet daily to support your digestive health and enhance fiber intake.
Sugar Free Orange Mix
The Citrucel Sugar Free Orange Mix is a methylcellulose fiber supplement that is exactly the same as the orange mix – it just doesn’t use sugar. Like the original Orange Mix, one scoop of the powder is equivalent to four capsules. Each tablespoon contains 2 grams of methylcellulose fiber along with 80mg of calcium and 110mg of potassium.
So what does Citrucel Sugar Free Orange Mix use instead of sugar? The company uses aspartame. So if you’re sensitive to aspartame, or if you don’t like putting it in your body, then the original Orange Mix might be the better option.
What Do Customers Have to Say About Citrucel?
There are dozens of fiber supplements on the market today, and they all promise pretty much the same thing. What do customers have to say about Citrucel? Is it a genuinely good fiber supplement? Here are some of the pros and cons we’ve discovered about Citrucel online.
Pros
-A fiber supplement that doesn’t give you gas
-Great for treating irritable bowel syndrome
-Avoids the bloating associated with Metamucil and other fiber supplements
–Enhances digestive regularity
Cons
-More expensive than some other fiber supplements (although still competitively-priced)
-One customer reported uncomfortable side effects at high dosages (5 or 6 capsules a day, which is still under the maximum recommended daily dosage); the customer claims his bowel movements “were so hard and big, it was causing damage and pain”. So I guess this could be in the “Pros” category because it shows Citrucel works?
Who Makes Citrucel?
Citrucel is made by GlaxoSmithKine, also known as the GSK Group of Companies.
You can get in touch with the makers of Citrucel by emailing [email protected]. You can contact the company by phone at 1-800-897-6081 Monday through Friday, 9am to 430PM EST.
The GSK Group of Companies is a massive British pharmaceutical company with offices all over the world. The company is currently ranked as the sixth largest pharmaceutical company in the world.
Other well-known products under the GlaxoSmithKline family include Advair, Flovent, Lovaza, Sensodyne, Aquafresh, Abreva, Nicoderm, and Nicorette. The company is also well-known for developing the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S. In 2014, the company announced it would make that vaccine available for 5% above cost.
Should You Take Citrucel as a Fiber Supplement?
Citrucel is yet another fiber supplement made by one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. The main difference between Citrucel and other fiber supplements is that it causes less bloating. It’s a soluble fiber that doesn’t ferment. It uses methylcellulose as its active ingredient.
Citrucel is widely praised online for its benefits, with most customers agreeing that it works as advertised. The main issue with Citrucel, however, is that it tends to be priced slightly higher than its competitors.