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Glucomannan
Description: Glucomannan is a natural dietary, calorie free, high fiber powder which is obtained from the root of the Amorphophallus Konjac, which has been safely consumed as food for over 1000 years in the Orient. It is a pectin-like, gel fiber which absorbs liquid (up to 50 times it's weight) giving a feeling of fullness. Studies of human subjects and rats have indicated that glucomannan forms a gel and greatly increases the moisture content of the food bolus during digestion.

Source: Amorphophallus Konjac root.

Useful in the treatment of:
Weight loss: Only two studies have been published on the use of glucomannan in weight loss.1,2 One double blind trial showed a 5.5 lb weight loss in an eight week period.2

Increased cholesterol: Studies have shown that in diabetic3 and non-diabetic4 patients, glucomannan can decrease serum cholesterol by approximately 10%, without changes in diet or exercise.

Contraindications/Precautions: People with diabetes may have to decrease the dosage of medication, as glucomannan may improve glycemic control.3

References:

1Vita PM, Restelli A, Caspani P, Klinger R. Chronic use of glucomannan in the dietary treatment of severe obesity. Minerva Med. 1992 Mar;83(3):135-9
2Walsh DE, Yaghoubian V, Behforooz A. Effect of glucomannan on obese patients: a clinical study. Int J Obes. 1984;8(4):289-93.
3Vuksan V, Jenkins DJ, Spadafora P, Sievenpiper JL, Owen R, Vidgen E, Brighenti F, Josse R, Leiter LA, Bruce-Thompson C. Konjac-mannan (glucomannan) improves glycemia and other associated risk factors for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled metabolic trial. Diabetes Care. 1999 Jun;22(6):913-9.
4Arvill A, Bodin L. Effect of short-term ingestion of konjac glucomannan on serum cholesterol in healthy men. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Mar;61(3):585-9.
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