Overview

Polydextrose is a complex carbohydrate made from glucose. It's made in a lab and is not digested by the body. Polydextrose is often used as a prebiotic.

Polydextrose does not get digested by the human body. Instead it's digested by good bacteria found in the colon. This helps the good bacteria to grow, which is why it's used as a prebiotic. Prebiotics act as food for probiotics (good bacteria).

People use polydextrose for constipation, prediabetes, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse prebiotics with probiotics. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for POLYDEXTROSE overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Polydextrose is likely safe when consumed in foods in amounts less than 15 grams daily. Polydextrose is possibly safe when used as medicine in doses up to 50 grams daily for up to 12 weeks. But it is possibly unsafe to use in higher amounts. Taking more than 90 grams of polydextrose daily, or more than 50 grams at one time, might cause severe diarrhea in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Polydextrose is likely safe when consumed in foods in amounts less than 15 grams daily. Polydextrose is possibly safe when used as medicine in doses up to 50 grams daily for up to 12 weeks. But it is possibly unsafe to use in higher amounts. Taking more than 90 grams of polydextrose daily, or more than 50 grams at one time, might cause severe diarrhea in some people.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if polydextrose is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Polydextrose is possibly safe for infants when added to formula at concentrations of 2-4 grams per liter of formula. It is also possibly safe for children 4-8 years old to take in doses of about 4 grams daily.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for POLYDEXTROSE overview.

Dosing

Polydextrose has most often been used by adults in doses of 4-12 grams by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.