Gordo Posted July 14, 2020 Report Share Posted July 14, 2020 Just something I was thinking about... if you were designing a study that including a placebo, what would you use as the ingredient in the placebo pill? It seems like lots of potential ingredients could cause a physiological response (like sugar, anything with gluten, any type of bean based flour). Was thinking maybe corn starch? Maybe powdered vitamin C? What is least likely to cause any sort of reaction or stomach upset or blood sugar spike? Assume the placebo dose could be as high as 4 grams or 8 "00" capsules at one time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBAvoider Posted July 14, 2020 Report Share Posted July 14, 2020 Some bit of indigestible fiber, like konjac. If it's a small amount, like 4 grams or so, it should not impact anything like blood sugar or anything, since it's not bound up with anything else in a matrix, it's not getting digested, it's just passing along into the colon, where such a small amount is not going to have any special binding ability on anything else. I'd think that's a pretty good bet on something fairly neutral. Now, if it was more than a few grams, perhaps it would impact the gut bacteria and exert some effect through that, but not something that's like 4 grams. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted July 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2020 5 hours ago, TomBAvoider said: konjac According to: https://www.healthline.com/health/konjac#how-to-use-konjac Recommended dosages vary by manufacturer and what you’re using it for. They typically range from 2 to 6 grams. Like most high-fiber products, however, it may cause digestive problems such as: bloating diarrhea or loose stools abdominal pain gas nausea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBAvoider Posted July 14, 2020 Report Share Posted July 14, 2020 Well, konjac is just one fiber - there are many others, perhaps some less prone to having side effects. However, I have to say, any - and I mean any - foodstuff can cause all sorts of side effects and you can be allergic to literally anything, including your own sweat. So, before I'd get overly concerned about those possible side effects of konjac, I'd see how commonly it happens - if it happens rarely, then it's not much of a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccoy Posted July 15, 2020 Report Share Posted July 15, 2020 Today, plain water gave me some gas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted July 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2020 I'm thinking Microcrystalline Cellulose Powder seems just about perfect and is already used as filler in various capsules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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