Overview

Inulin is a type of prebiotic. It's not digested or absorbed in the stomach. It stays in the bowel and helps certain beneficial bacteria to grow.

Inulin is a starchy substance found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, artichokes, and asparagus. The inulin that is used in supplements most commonly comes from soaking chicory roots in hot water.

People commonly use inulin by mouth for weight loss, constipation, and diabetes. It's also used for high blood fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Constipation. Taking inulin by mouth seems to help relieve constipation in some children and adults. It increases the number of stools by up to about one per week. But it might not reduce discomfort.
  • Diabetes. Taking inulin by mouth along with antidiabetes drugs might improve blood sugar levels in some people with diabetes, short-term. But it's not clear if it helps long-term.
  • Obesity. Taking inulin by mouth might increase short-term weight loss. But it's not clear if it helps with long-term weight loss or weight maintenance in people who are overweight or obese.
There is interest in using inulin for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Inulin is likely safe for most people in the amounts found in foods. It is possibly safe in adults when taken as a supplement, short-term. Doses of 8-18 grams daily have been used safely for up to 24 weeks. The most common side effects include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. These side effects are more severe with high doses of inulin (more than 30 grams).

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Inulin is likely safe for most people in the amounts found in foods. It is possibly safe in adults when taken as a supplement, short-term. Doses of 8-18 grams daily have been used safely for up to 24 weeks. The most common side effects include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and cramps. These side effects are more severe with high doses of inulin (more than 30 grams).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Inulin is likely safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding in amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if inulin is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Inulin is likely safe in children in the amounts found in foods. It is possibly safe for children when taken by mouth as a medicine, short-term. Inulin is possibly safe when used as part of infant formula, short-term.

Interactions ?

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with INULIN

    Inulin might lower blood sugar levels. Taking inulin along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Dosing

Inulin is found in a wide variety of foods, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, artichokes, and asparagus. Inulin supplements have most often been used by adults in doses of 10-40 grams by mouth daily, for 4-8 weeks. Various combination products are also available. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and 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.

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