Konjac Dietary Fiber Glucomannan
Konjac is a plant from which the multifunctional dietary fiber glucomannan is obtained. In fact, the glucomannan obtained from the root of the konjac plant is also known as konjac-mannan (KJM).
Details of the Konjac Plant
The konjac plant belongs to the genus Amorphophallus. The botanical name of the plant is therefore, Amorphophallus konjac. The plant is known to be a perennial plant. It grows from a large corm. The corm can as large as 25cm in diameter. It is generally found in regions of East Asia especially Japan, Indonesia and China. It is now cultivated in parts of East Asia for its large corms and roots, which are the source of supplement fiber glucomannan, also known as konjac-mannan (KJM). It is also used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin as it forms a thick viscous jelly like mass with water. [1]
Medicinal Properties of Konjac-Mannan (KJM)
Glucomannan obtained from the root and corms of the konjac plant are having a wide variety of pharmacological actions in the body and can help treat w broad range of diseases and disorders in the body. This dietary fiber is known to help patients who are obese, who have diabetes (type II), and also patients with constipation.
Obesity: Glucomannan is known to reduce the uptake of lipids and cholesterol [3]. This drastically reduces the amount of calories that are taken up by the body. Hence, people who are obese are advised to increase intake of konjac. It is also suggested that glucomannan could be responsible for reducing weight by not allowing uptake of glucose and sugars [4], which are highly calorific in value. It is also known to dilute the energy uptake as it itself does not have much caloric value.
Diabetes: Glucomannan is known to show hypoglycemic effects by inhibiting the uptake of glucose by the body [4]. It is believed that it does this by preventing contact of the glucose with the intestinal walls for absorption. By reducing the amount of blood sugar, glucomannan can help patients with type II diabetes.
Constipation: Dietary fiber of all kinds helps in healing constipation [5]. All dietary fiber absorbs water making the feces softer and this promotes intestinal motility. . Konjac glucomannan is no different and helps in the same way to heal constipation in patients.
Obtaining Konjac for Medicine
Konjac is generally powdered and given to human beings. This powdered form of the dried plant can then be given in various forms. It can be combined in foods as a fiber supplement. Many food products such as konjac flour and konjac pastas are available which can give the beneficial effects of the dietary fiber present from the plant. The powder is usually tasteless. [2]
Alternatively, for people who do not like the taste of the powder and want an easy way to gulp down the goodness of konjac, glucomannan capsules made from the konjac plants are available. FibraSlim is one such capsule, which contains glucomannan. Tablets of the medicine are not available, as it had been noticed that the konjac tablets swell up substantially when swallowed with water and would cause esophageal obstruction. Hence, the capsule is only now available which is easier and safer to swallow. [2]
Side Effects of Konjac
As the majority constituent of konjac powder is glucomannan (almost 40% by weight), the side effects are those of the polysaccharide itself. Glucomannan is relatively safe, however being from a natural unrefined source in the powder, it could cause allergic reactions. Common symptoms of glucomannan allergy are chest pains, chest and throat congestion and even skin reactions such as rashes. Other side effects, which are associated with glucomannan, are associated with the gastrointestinal disturbances such as flatulence (which is gas), mild stomach pains and diarrhea, although it is noticed that these side effects are very mild. [2]
In conclusion, it must be said that incorporating konjac in your diet as a supplement can have various beneficial affects from weight loss to controlling blood sugar levels. The wonderful glucomannan present in the konjac will help you attain a healthy life with its natural healing powers.
References
- Konjac - Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konjac); April 2008.
- Joyce Keithley, Barbara Swanson; Nov/Dec 2005; Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; Glucomannan and Obesity: A Critical Review.
- Baer DJ, Kumpler WV, Miles CW. Fahey GCJ.; 1997; J Nutr.; Dietary fiber decreases the metabolizable energy content and nutrient digestibility of mixed diets fed to humans. 4. Vuksan V, Jenkins DJ, Spadafora P, et al.; 1999; DiabetesCare; Konjac-mannan (glucoinannan) improves glyccinia and other associated risk factors for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled metallic trial.
- Marzio L, Del Bianco R, Donne MD, Pieramico O, Cuccurullo F; 1989; The American journal of gastroenterology; Mouth-to-cecum transit time in patients affected by chronic constipation: effect of glucomannan.
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