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Does Benefiber Lower Cholesterol?

High cholesterol can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood. Though it has some beneficial uses in the body, it can’t be dissolved in the blood. Lipoproteins carry the cholesterol through the blood. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol tends to clog the arteries, while HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol does a good job of transporting the cholesterol through the blood. Having fiber in your diet can help lower your cholesterol, and Benefiber can supply you with that fiber.

  1. Benefiber

    • Benefiber, a fiber supplement, mixes with water to dissolve completely. It has no taste and is non-gritty, making it easy to either drink or add to other drinks or foods so that you can increase the fiber in your diet. Each serving of Benefiber has 3g of soluble fiber, which is about 10 percent of the daily amount that the American Dietetic Association recommends.

    Wheat Dextrin

    • The fiber in Benefiber comes from wheat dextrin, which is made from the starch of wheat plants. It contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten and is considered gluten-free by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, for those who have gluten intolerance, it is probably best to avoid Benefiber.

    How Fiber Works

    • Fiber binds with the components of bile, one of which is cholesterol, to keep them from being reabsorbed. For this to work to lower cholesterol levels, the fiber needs to be soluble, which Benefiber is. Though insoluble fiber is useful for the digestive system, it does not lower your cholesterol levels.

    Fiber Types

    • Fiber can be either soluble or non-soluble. Soluble fiber will dissolve in water completely. Non-soluble fiber may break down in water, but it will still taste gritty. Only soluble fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol. Plants contain some of both types of fiber. Sources of fiber include oats, beans, peas, fruits, vegetables, bran and whole grains.

    How Much?

    • The American Dietetic Association recommends 20g to 35g of fiber daily. The fiber should include both soluble and insoluble fiber. The average American consumes about half of that amount from his diet. While dietary fiber would be the best source of fiber, Benefiber can help fill any shortfall in your daily fiber needs.

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