My doctor basically turned my family and me into fiber gummy addicts. I had my first colonoscopy and he said I needed more fiber. I bought a jar of fiber gummis and started taking the recommended two a day. It smoothed things out I guess.
Because fiber gummis are fruit flavored and like gummi bears and are supposedly healthy my wife and kids started taking them, too.
When the jar ran out…
Everything Stopped.
Think about that sentence for a minute in the context of what dietary fiber is supposed to do for you.
I was carrying around last Wednesday’s brisket dinner for an extra three days until I get to Target and buy another jar of fiber gummis.
Additionally, like with any other addictive substance, you build up a tolerance. I now need six fiber gummis a day just to stay regular.
When the jar gets low everyone in the family gets fiber gummi anxiety. I bought a new jar today, and then I bought an extra backup jar for myself… just in case. I hid it. That’s right, I no shit have a fiber gummi stash.
Knowing the effect they have, I wake up in the morning Jonesing for fiber gummis more than I do for coffee.
I asked the doctor what he did to me and he told me. “I told you to eat more fiber. I never told you to eat fiber gummis. Why did you start messing with those?”
We have all heard the tales of pharmaceutical companies designing their products to be addictive, but fiber gummis? Yup.
Do not fuck with these things.
I’m going for my 3rd colonoscopy next week waaaaaaaahhhh I don’t wanna go through two days of colon cleansing… the prep tastes like stale margaritas without the ice and fun.
This is weird – I’d never heard of it before, and was wondering if the OP was having us on.
But a little googling brought this up:
So, to my surprise, you apparently can abuse fiber supplements (although the article doesn’t mention anything about building p a “tolerance” that requires ever-increasing doses).
I would like evidence one way or the other because the Mayo Clinic says “There’s no evidence that daily use of fiber supplements — such as psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl, others) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) — is harmful.”
So I am suspicious that whatever problem there is, is related to them being fiber gummies and OP may want to consider switching to psyllium husk. It’s cheaper, anyway.
I’m going with hyperbole. Fiber gummies, which I take semi-regularly, are only 6-7 grams of fiber. So unless they are your only source of fiber or you are treating and eating them as if they are gummi bears, it shouldn’t be an issue.
I go for the Orange Metamucil, which is like chunky-style Tang. One glass a day before bed, every day. I’ve noticed that if I miss two days in a row, I’m going to end up with regrets on day three, but I can’t say if this is a side effect of fiber detox or not. Just as likely, my colon has continued to age while I was using fiber, and this is it’s new, unassisted normal.
It could also be that you get used to improved pooping from all the fiber and when you miss a day, you’re simply not used to the straining you had to do before.
Take that website with a shaker of salt. I adhere to the view from Mayo as posted above. We’ve evolved while consuming fiber, so of course it’s a natural part of our diet.
Screw gummis.
Just sprinkle All Bran (they look like Grape Nuts) all over the top of your cereal.
Done.
You’re taken care of.
Just make sure you get the “with Psyllium” kind. (also good for heart and pancreas!)
Reduces flatulence!
And stay well hydrated. Fiber is a hugely important nutrient, and people in America rarely get enough. But if you don’t drink enough water, it can stop you up.
