glucomannan-konjac-supplements

After recently being recognized by well known figures such as Dr. Oz as a potent appetite suppressant

[1], glucomannan has received plenty of attention, causing the scientific community to take interest.

This has resulted in the production of a great deal of highly promising data regarding the efficacy of this healthy soluble fiber, with direct ties being established between glucomannan and weight loss for people from all walks of life.

Glucomannan is a polysaccharide categorized as a soluble fiber which is found in the cell walls of plants, in particular the roots of the konjac plant[2].

If this East Asian plant sounds a little too exotic for you to be able to track down and pound yourself then, like the rest of us, you’re probably going to want to use glucomannan in the form of a dietary supplement.

In this article we’re going to look at exactly what the evidence says about glucomannan fiber so that you guys can stay better informed about your supplement purchases, safe in the knowledge that you are using a tried, tested, and scientifically proven product that will produce undeniable results.

Glucomannan and Appetite Suppression

Oftentimes the most difficult part of losing weight is a runaway appetite and uncontrollable cravings; whether your weakness is pizza or Reese’s Pieces, we all have one but glucomannan has proven to be an effective way of sidestepping these unpleasant hunger pangs.

By adding a small amount of glucomannan fiber to your meals you should be able to more easily practice portion control on a consistent basis while still feeling full and satiated when you eat.

The first study we are going to look at concerns glucomannan extracted from the konjac root, and its effects in the context of weight loss and blood cholesterol levels in obese subjects.

This eight-week double-blind trial, published in the International Journal of Obesity in 1984[3] had 20 obese individuals supplement with one gram doses of glucomannan fiber with 8oz of water an hour prior to eating each of their three daily meals.

The results from this study were highly conclusive, with the researchers concluding: “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.”

[Emphasis added]

The most positive thing here is not only that glucomannan is shown to produce dramatic weight loss, but that it also appears to exhibit no negative side effects, making it safe for use in the general population.

Glucomannan and Insulin

With the advent of low carb and ketogenic diets over the past couple of decades, many of you are probably well aware by now of the effects that insulin can have on fat storage, energy levels, and appetite.

If we can blunt the insulin response that occurs after eating a meal then it should follow that weight loss (or at least the offset of weight gain) will be more easily and rapidly achieved as the energy from food is shuttled to lean tissues rather than simply being stored as fat.

A 2002 study published in the Journal of Medical Hypotheses by McCarthy was particularly interested in the high viscosity of glucomannan solutions compared to other soluble dietary fibers[4].

We have already seen that glucomannan supplementation of one gram before meals can elicit positive benefits, but higher doses of 4 – 5 g taken in liquid with meals can also slow the absorption of carbohydrates.

This has been shown to reduce the postprandial insulin response by as much as 50%!

The study concludes with the following statement: “Hepatothermic therapy, a technique for achieving rapid loss of body fat by optimizing the liver’s capacity for fat oxidation, can only achieve its optimal efficacy if diurnal insulin levels are kept low; ingestion of GM with meals will evidently be of benefit in this regard by moderating postprandial insulin surges.”

[Emphasis added]

Also of further interest is that the researcher also commented that, “Rodent studies suggest that GM may have potential for decreasing cancer risk and possibly even slowing the ageing process.”

[Emphasis added]

It seems as if the benefits of glucomannan fiber supplementation are mounting up!

Conclusion

Appetite suppression, weight loss, improved cholesterol levels, and decreased risks of cancer are just some of the benefits afforded by consistent use of glucomannan, and all of this is provided with no recorded side effects or adverse symptoms of any kind.

This makes glucomannan fiber a safe and highly effective way of adding an extra boost to your weight loss efforts so that you can amp up your results and achieve the body and level of health you desire even more quickly!

Our Glucomannan Fiber Complex provides you with a convenient and low-cost way of taking advantage of the powerful effects of glucomannan fiber so that you too can enjoy the benefits we’ve discussed.

This intelligently and uniquely formulated supplement contains a combination of glucomannan fiber, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, and metabolism boosters within each capsule to keep your appetite down and help you feel fuller for longer.

We pride ourselves on using nothing but the highest-grade ingredients extracted only from natural sources, with no unnecessary chemical fillers or adulterants.

Glucomannan Fiber Complex is available in a bottle containing 120 capsules, providing a one-month supply more or less in line with the typical duration of many of the clinical studies that have looked at the efficacy of glucomannan fiber.

Order your first bottle and you too can begin enjoying the benefits of the scientifically proven weight loss fiber supplement!

Further Reading

http://clinicalstudiespublishing.com/pdf/supplemental/Glucomannan_and_obesity_review.pdf

[1] http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-appetite-suppressants-pt-1

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucomannan#Natural_sources

[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6096282

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12323114