- With Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist
Michael Picco, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Michael Picco, M.D.
Michael Picco, M.D.
Dr. Michael F. Picco has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Picco is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a consultant in gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
He has authored numerous publications in the area of gastroenterology, including original research, editorials and textbook chapters. He works with a team of gastroenterologists that takes care of complex gastrointestinal conditions and has a particular interest in diarrheal illnesses and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). He is also active in medical education in training new gastroenterologist and internists.
"MayoClinic.com is an invaluable resource for patients and their families," Dr. Picco said. "Informed patients are better able to participate in their own health care. A patient's participation is vital to the treatment of his or her disease. I hope to assist in helping patients understand their digestive problems and current treatments that are offered. This will allow for better communication between patients, their physicians and other health care professionals."
Dr. Picco serves as a reviewer of new research for several medical journals in the area of gastroenterology and is an active member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. He serves on numerous committees that address physician training, research and clinical practice in gastroenterology, both at Mayo Clinic and at the national level.
"Patients need to know about their disease, what to expect, the latest treatments and side effects so that they can make informed decisions about their health care. Gastrointestinal disease affects not only patients but also their families. My goal is to assure that our Web site provides accurate, reliable information and resources for patients. We must always provide the latest, most cutting-edge information to assist patients in dealing with their medical problems," Dr. Picco said.
Nutrition basics (20)
- Water softeners: How much sodium do they add?
- Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not?
- Coffee and health: What does the research say?
- see all in Nutrition basics
Healthy diets (8)
- Diverticulitis diet: Can certain foods trigger an attack?
- Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
- Canola oil: Does it contain toxins?
- see all in Healthy diets
Healthy cooking (10)
- Lentils: How do I cook with them?
- Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers?
- Canned pumpkin: Better than fresh?
- see all in Healthy cooking
Healthy menus and shopping strategies (6)
- Calories in sushi: What are the low-cal options?
- Vegetable juice: As good as whole vegetables?
- Buying beef? A guide to choosing the leanest cuts
- see all in Healthy menus and shopping strategies
Nutritional supplements (15)
- Vitamin water: Better than plain water?
- Ground flaxseed: Better than whole?
- Vitamin C: Can too much be harmful?
- see all in Nutritional supplements
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Question
Fiber supplements: Are they safe to take every day?
I need more fiber in my diet, but I find it difficult to eat the required amounts of fruits and vegetables. Is there any harm in taking a fiber supplement every day instead?
Answer
from Michael Picco, M.D.
There's no evidence that long-term use of fiber supplements — such as Metamucil, Konsyl or Citrucel — is harmful. Doctors often recommend daily fiber supplements for people with certain digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel or chronic constipation.
Fiber supplements make stool soft, which can ease constipation. If you take fiber supplements, be sure to drink plenty of water or other fluids every day. Otherwise fiber supplements can actually make your constipation worse. Also, add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
If you have intestinal problems, consult your doctor before adding a fiber supplement to your diet. Also, ask your doctor or a pharmacist whether a fiber supplement may interact with any medications you take. Fiber supplements can decrease the absorption of certain medications, such as aspirin, warfarin and carbamazepine. Fiber supplements can also reduce blood sugar levels, which may require an adjustment in your insulin dosage if you have diabetes.
Next questionCalcium supplements: Do men need them too?
- Patel SM, et al. Constipation. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/127102294-3/0/1389/0.html. Accessed March 20, 2009.
- Hogenauer C, et al. Maldigestion and malabsorption. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/127102294-3/0/1389/0.html. Accessed March 20, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 31, 2009.
