Glucomannan as Anti-Obesity Medicine
Glucomannan is a fermentable, soluble and highly viscous dietary fiber, which is a derivative from the root of the konjac plant, native to Asia. Initial data suggests that glucomannan may encourage weight loss. This study enlightens studies using Glucomannan for weight loss besides studies inspecting its mechanism of action. When administered doses of 2-4 g per day, Glucomannan was well tolerated and resulted in noteworthy weight loss in obese and overweight persons. There is some proof that glucomannan offers its favorable effects by promoting satiety and fecal energy loss. Additionally, glucomannan has been shown to improve lipid and lipoprotein parameters and glycemic index. Further study of efficacy, safety and mechanism of action is needed to determine whether GM can help to decrease the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States [4].
There are clinical evidences that suggest glucomannan may play a positive role in reducing weight [1]. Glucomannan is basically a soluble fiber. After ingestion, it absorbs water from our intestinal tract and becomes a viscous gel-like mass. It then triggers the nerves present in the walls of GI system to send a signal to the satiety center present in the thalamus of our central nervous system. Therefore, the person has a false impression of satiety.
No weight loss program can stand alone with dieting and food supplement only. It must be complemented with proper exercise program. Effect of inclusion of exercise to a diet fortified with glucomannan has been studied [2]. It was noticed that most of the persons on combination therapy have been benefited. It was also mentioned in Glucomannan and obesity: a critical review [3].
An eight-week double-blind trial was carried out to check purified glucomannan fiber as a diet adjuvant in 20 obese persons. Glucomannan derived from konjac root and/or placebo was administered in 1g doses along with 8 oz of water, one hour before to each of three major meals daily. People were educated not to change their diet or work out types. Results have shown that a major weight loss with glucomannan. There was no adverse reaction to glucomannan [5].
References
- PMID 16320857
- Effect of adding exercise to a diet containing glucomannan
- Glucomannan and obesity: a critical review, Keithley J, Swanson B, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, Ill, USA.
- PMID 6096282. Effect of glucomannan on obese patients: a clinical study
- Walsh DE, Yaghoubian V, Behforooz A. PMID: 6096282 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Is Glucomannan the Safe Weight Loss Pill You've Been Waiting For?
