In short
USANA Fibergy Active is a low-glycaemic, vegan-friendly fibre blend. USANA's science resource says it delivers nine grams of fibre per serving, helps support regularity and digestive comfort, and provides prebiotic fibre to help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
The fibre gap
The page says nine out of ten people need to consume more fibre: the recommended intake is between 25 and 30 grams a day, while the average adult eats about 16 grams. It adds that it is hard for the digestive system to work at full strength with only half the fibre it needs.
Soluble and insoluble fibre
According to the page, dietary fibre keeps the food you eat moving through your digestive system and keeps the bacteria in your digestive tract healthy. Insoluble fibre adds weight and bulk to the food you digest and helps move it through the digestive tract; soluble fibre dissolves in water and moves smoothly through the gut, and prebiotic fibres help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
How the formula was developed
The page describes a step-by-step, research-driven process:
- Researchers selected five potential formulas based on fibre and gut-microbiome research and tested them over a short term in a synthetic gut model that uses human gut microbiota;
- The best-performing formula was compared against three variations of itself;
- All eight formulas were scored on measures such as short-chain fatty acid production, bifidobacterial increase and gas production, and the top scorer became the base. Apple, blueberry and raspberry powders were then added, and the final formula went through a three-week study in an expanded synthetic gut model;
- The formula was then tested in a human clinical study.
Key ingredients
The page names these key ingredients:
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): short-chain fructose molecules, essentially small bits of soluble fibre that dissolve easily in water and occur naturally in many plants;
- Organic agave inulin: a prebiotic fibre that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and supports microbial diversity;
- Sugarcane fibre: an insoluble fibre that adds weight and bulk to the food you digest and helps move it through the digestive tract;
- Apple, blueberry and raspberry powders: full of phytochemicals and antioxidants that work alongside the fibre.
The UC Davis study
The page describes a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study run with the Ragle Human Nutrition Center at UC Davis. It included 20 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 with low-fibre diets. Each participant took the fibre blend and a matching placebo for four weeks each, with a four-week washout period in between, at 12 g per day. The page reports a statistically significant increase in Bifidobacterium that occurred only with the fibre blend, and higher plasma levels of indolepropionate (IPA), a gut-microbiota-derived metabolite. Fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were unchanged, and no abdominal discomfort was reported during the study. The page also notes that the effects of these gut bacteria can vary by individual and context.
Key ingredients and usage
- Key ingredients: fructooligosaccharides (FOS), organic agave inulin, sugarcane fibre, and apple, blueberry and raspberry powders; check the label for your market for the full list;
- Usage: the page says to add one tablespoon to your USANA meal replacement shake; it has a neutral taste and can also go into a protein shake or green drink;
- Who it is for: people looking for a convenient source of dietary fibre.
Good to know
- Supplements do not replace a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle;
- If you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug or have a medical condition, consult your physician first;
- Product labels differ by country, so always follow the label for your market.
Official resources
- π USANA price list (member vs retail prices)
- π Order Fibergy Active from USANA
- π USANA Fibergy Active product page
This guide is based on USANA's science resource (Ask The Scientists). *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
