Glucomannan: The Weight-Loss Supplement Dr. Oz Loves

Discover your key to health, fitness and vitality with Glucomannan- Nature's richest source of soluble fiber! Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). 

What is Glucomannan?
Glucomannan is a sugar made from the root of the konjac plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Japanese cooking as a thickener or gelling agent. It's so renowned in Japan that it even has it's own nickname--"the broom of the intestines" -- which gives you a pretty good idea of how it works. For just a few calories, glucomannan creates a sense of fullness by absorbing water and expanding to form a bulky fiber in your stomach.

"When consumed, glucomannan “sponges” up water in the digestive tract, reducing the absorption of carbs and cholesterol and thus supporting weight loss. [...] This supplement also makes you feel full without leaving you gassy or bloated," Dr. Oz explains.

The "bulky fiber" is then expelled from your body via the natural route. This cleansing effect has been said to help with a host of medical woes like reducing cholesterol, helping control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and constipation.

Where to buy?

  Buy at Walmart: Natures Way Glucomannan Root - 100 Capsules 

 Does It Work?
While the research is still evolving and the FDA has not given its approval to any glucomannan product's health or weight loss claims, preliminary studies are promising. In one 2007 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, participants taking a glucomannan and psyllium husk combination supplement lost approximately 10 pounds in 16 weeks compared to 1.7 pounds lost in the placebo group. Another study using only glucomannan showed an average of 5.5 pounds lost over eight weeks, without making any other diet or lifestyle changes.

How Do You Use It?
With no harsh chemicals, strange drugs, or additives, glucomannan powder (flour) and capsules are considered "likely safe" to use as an appetite suppressant. But there are a few side effects to watch out for. First and foremost, you need to be vigilant about drinking enough water. Dr. Oz advises drinking 8 ounces of water with 1 gram of glucomannan before each meal. If you don't drink enough, the fiber can literally gum up your digestive system, causing intestinal blockages and, in rare cases, choking by blocking your throat. Also, one woman's "cleanse" is another woman's date-night disaster so start slowly and work up to the full dosage to see how your body handles it.

If you're interested in trying glucomannan, experts recommend taking it 15-30 minutes before a meal. (Again, don't forget to drink your water with it!) Here's a quick rundown of the different forms of the supplement:

• Glucomannan Powder: Practically tasteless, this is great for mixing into smoothies and other foods. Bonus: It adds a nice thick consistency.
• Glucomannan in Food Products: Japanese shirataki noodles (also marketed as "miracle noodles") are the most famous glucomannan food product. They're a little strange at first (It helped me not to think of them as noodles but more like stringy Jell-O... with a fishy smell.) Other products like gummy candies and chews are also available.
• Glucomannan Tablets: Probably the most convenient, if not the most tasty, option. However, while occurrences are rare, solid tablets are more likely than other forms of glucomannan to cause the previously mentioned blockages of the throat and intestines.

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Effect of glucomannan on obese patients: a clinical study.

Walsh DE, Yaghoubian V, Behforooz A.

Abstract

An eight-week double-blind trial was conducted to test purified glucomannan fiber as a food supplement in 20 obese subjects. Glucomannan fiber (from konjac root) or placebo was given in 1-g doses (two 500 mg capsules) with 8 oz water, 1 h prior to each of three meals per d. Subjects were instructed not to change their eating or exercise patterns. Results showed a significant mean weight loss (5.5 lbs) using glucomannan over an eight-week period. Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced (21.7 and 15.0 mg/dl respectively) in the glucomannan treated group. No adverse reactions to glucomannan were reported.