- Helps to lower cholesterol levels
- Bulk-forming laxative, promotes bowel movements by increasing bulk volume and water content and provides gentle relief of constipation and/or irregularity
Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Soluble fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates, which influences the release of insulin and the rate of fat storage. Glucomannan studies have not only demonstrated a positive impact on postprandial glucose handling and glucose metabolism but also on cholesterol metabolism.[3,4,7,10-13] This latter effect is thought to result from the fact that soluble fiber reduces fat and cholesterol absorption and carries bile out of the intestines.[3,4] When fewer bile acids are available, the body draws cholesterol from the bloodstream to make more.*
Satiety and Weight Control
Soluble fiber is known to act as a bulking agent in the stomach and intestine, which creates the signals of fullness and causes individuals to eat less.[2,3,5,6] Studies suggest that glucomannan supplementation significantly reduces weight at doses of 3 g/d to 4 g/d when compared to placebo.[3,4,7-11] In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the effects of 3 g/d of Propol (1 g 30-60 minutes prior to each meal) combined with 300 mg/d of calcium were studied. When dosing compliant and non-complaint subgroups were analyzed, the results indicated that compliant subjects experienced a significant reduction in scale weight, body fat percentage, and fat mass without a loss of fat-free mass or bone density.[7] In another study, the mean weight loss for the glucomannan group was 5.5 lbs in eight weeks, while subjects in the placebo group gained 1.5 lbs.*[3]
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References
1. Fiber Research International LLC. http://www.fiberresearchinternational.com. Web pages: Propol comparison to different glucomannans, manufacturing, and Propol comparison to other fibers. Published June 2015. Accessed November 20, 2015.
2. Kristensen M, Jensen MG. Dietary fibres in the regulation of appetite and food intake. Importance of viscosity. Appetite. 2011 Feb;56(1):65-70. [PMID: 21115081]
3. Walsh DE, Yaghoubian V, Behforooz A. Effect of glucomannan on obese patients: a clinical study. Int J Obes. 1984;8(4):289-93. [PMID: 6096282]
4. Doi K, Nakamura T, Aoyama N, et al. Metabolic and nutritional effects of long- term use of glucomannan in the treatment of obese diabetics. In: Oomura Y, Tarue S, Inoue S, Shimazu T, eds. Progress in Obesity Research 1990. London: John Libbey; 1991:507-14. [on file]
5. Keithley J, Swanson B. Glucomannan and obesity: a critical review. Altern Ther Health Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;11(6):30-34. [PMID: 16320857]
6. Burton-Freeman B. Dietary fiber and energy regulation. J Nutr. 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):272S-75S. [PMID: 10721886]
7. Kaats GR, Bagchi D, Preuss HG. Konjac glucomannan dietary supplementation causes significant fat loss in compliant overweight adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015 Oct 22:1-7. [PMID: 26492494]
8. Biancardi G, Palmiero L, Ghirardi PE. Glucomannan in the treatment of overweight patients with osteoarthritis. Curr Ther Res. 1989;46:908-12. [on file]
9. Reffo GC, Ghirardi PE, Foranttini C. Glucomannan in hypertensive outpatients: pilot clinical trial. Curr Ther Res. 1988;44(1):22-27. [on file]
10. Salvatoni A, Bosetti G, Gambarini G. Lipid profile and excess body weight in obese children: effect of a dietary drug supplement (glucomannan vs detastranum). Ped Oggi. 1991;11:243-45. [on file]
11. Kraemer WJ, Vingren JL, Silvestre R, et al. Effect of adding exercise to a diet containing glucomannan. Metabolism. 2007 Aug; 56(8):1149-58. [PMID: 17618964]
12. Hopman WP, Houben PG, Speth PA, et al. Glucomannan prevents postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with previous gastric surgery. Gut. 1988;29(7):930- 34. [PMID: 2840365]
13. Vita PM, Restelli A, Caspani P, et al. Chronic use of glucomannan in the dietary treatment of severe obesity [in Italian]. Minerva Med. 1992 Mar;83(3):135-39. [PMID: 1313163]
14. Vuksan V, Jenkins DJ, Spadafora P, et al. 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):913-19. [PMID: 10372241]
15. Marzio L, Del Bianco R, Donne MD, et al. Mouth-to-cecum transit time in patients affected by chronic constipation: effect of glucomannan. Am J Gastroenterol. 1989 Aug;84(8):888-91. [PMID: 2547312]
16. Passaretti S, Franzoni M, Comin U, et al. Action of glucomannans on complaints in patients affected with chronic constipation: a multicentric clinical evaluation. Ital J Gastroenterol. 1991 Sep-Oct;23(7):421-25. [PMID: 1742540]
17. Chen HL, Cheng HC, Wu WT, et al. Supplementation of konjac glucomannan into a low-fiber Chinese diet promoted bowel movement and improved colonic ecology in constipated adults: a placebo-controlled, diet-controlled trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Feb;27(1):102-08. [PMID: 18460488]
