Lipozene is advertised as a weight loss supplement. Its one active ingredient is a konjac root extract called glucomannan. Konjac glucomannan is a dietary fiber that is popular in both Asian and European countries, especially in flour form.
Lipozene is a fiber-containing supplement hailed for its effectiveness for weight loss. It contains glucomannan as the active substance in a capsule form. Glucomannan is derived from the root of Amorphophallus konjac (konjac plant or elephant yam). The plant is native to China and south-east Asia.
Lipozene is a popular diet pill for weight loss. It contains a soluble fiber called glucomannan that absorbs water to create a thick gel. This fiber may be responsible for many of the benefits of the supplement that people report.
Because Lipozene is made of glucomannan, which is a fiber, most of the side effects are similar to those you might have experienced if you’ve ever eaten too much fiber: gastrointestinal in nature, including gas, bloating and diarrhea. If you’re concerned about the impact of having a sticky goo down in your stomach, it may be reassuring to know that no cases of intestinal obstruction from expanding glucomannan have been reported
What Is Lipozene?
This brand-name weight loss supplement, also known as Amorphophallus Konjac, is actually made with a fiber, glucomannan, derived from the konjac root found in parts of east Asia.
People in China, Japan and other parts of southeast Asia have used konjac root products, such as the konjac sponge, for centuries as part of traditional Chinese medicine to detoxify the body, suppress tumors, achieve blood stasis (a tenet of many diseases, according to ancient practices, that involves the proper movement of blood through the body), eliminate phlegm, treat asthma and cough, correct skin disorders and burns, treat hernia, and reduce breast pain.
Since being introduced in the 1990s to western countries, glucomannan products are used for resolving constipation, regulating cholesterol, treating insulin resistance, managing type II diabetes, weight loss, diverticular disease, treating hypoglycemia and naturally solving type I diabetes.
By developing Lipozene using only this one active ingredient, Obesity Research Institute LLC claims that customers can naturally lose weight (proven by clinical studies!) without changing lifestyle habits or eating different foods. This fat burner has, according to the Lipozene website, sold over 25 million bottles. Lipozene hosts many late-night infomercials to share the “incredible” results.
The company name is a bit misleading, however, as this “research institute” is not known to conduct any actual research and functions only as a sales organization for two products: Lipozene and MetaboUP Plus.
In addition to glucomannan, Lipozene tablets contain inactive ingredients composed of gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium silicate, stearic acid, titanium dioxide and FD&C Blue No. 1.
The recommended dosage of Lipozene is two capsules, 30 minutes before meals, up to three times per day. This equals 4.5 grams of glucomannan, which is slightly higher than the tolerable daily dosage of the root.
How does Lipozene work? Well, glucomannan is an insoluble fermentable dietary fiber, in contrast to a soluble fermentable fiber or soluble fiber, that travels through the stomach without breaking down. More than most other high-fiber products, glucomannan has an astounding ability to thicken substances. When Lipozene tablets hit the stomach, they expand stomach contents and suppress appetite, resulting in a “full” feeling after a very small meal.
As the product travels through your digestive system, it activates the bowels to move more rapidly, another method by which Lipozene can result in a loss of pounds.
Because of its health-related claims, Obesity Research Institute has been the brunt of various federal warnings and class action lawsuits.
In 2005, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined the company for false advertising to the tune of $1.5 million for claims made about FiberThin and Propolene, both of which are other glucomannan-based weight loss supplements previously sold by the Obesity Research Institute. The main violations involved are known as “Red Flag” claims, which refer to unsubstantiated assertions that a product results in major weight loss without dietary or lifestyle changes.
A group of customers successfully sued the makers of Lipozene in 2011 for false advertising with no real results, resulting in a $5 million payout. Another lawsuit was filed in 2016 claiming Lipozene is still violating the 2005 court order by the FTC by continuing to falsely market its products to have unproven results.
Two manufacturers received warning letters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014, one due to improper labeling that would classify Lipozene as a “drug” (since glucomannan is not an FDA-approved medicinal ingredient) and the other about insufficient testing methods.
Health Benefits of Lipozene
One of the major benefits of Lipozene is that soluble fiber is associated with increased satiety (which is essentially the feeling of fullness), blood sugar stabilization, and improved gut health. Registered dietitian Erin Wagner lets us know why that’s important:
- Promoting satiety can help you manage portion control and reduce your overall food intake (if your doctor has recommended that you do so)
- Stabilizing your blood sugar leaves you with more energy and reduces your risk for diabetes.
- A healthy gut allows you to efficiently absorb vitamins and minerals.
Wagner also points out that glucomannan contains prebiotic fiber, which breaks down into something called short-chain fatty acids (SFCA). “These SCFA are used as fuel for the colon and have anti-inflammatory properties,” Wagner says. “The presence of SCFA in the colon has an inverse correlation with conditions such as colon cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.”
Glucomannan can also soften bowel movements, making them easier to pass, says Sheri Vettel, a registered dietitian with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Sure, these benefits may sound appealing, but there’s an important factor to be aware of here before you make any decisions to start taking Lipozene: “These benefits are not from Lipozene specifically, but can be attained through consumption of soluble fiber, such as the type in glucomannan, in any form,” Vettel says. “You can also get glucomannan in your diet by eating shirataki noodles, which can be used in a variety of dishes.”
Constipation Relief
It’s possible that glucomannan, like that found in Lipozene, might relieve constipation. A variety of studies show it has the ability to encourage bowel movements and release stubborn waste
This seems true for both adults and children, though I do not recommend providing Lipozene pills to children in any case — or adults for that matter.
Lowered Heart Disease Risk
Limited evidence has found that glucomannan products have the ability to positively alter some heart disease risk factors. One study found that glucomannan supplementation lowered LDL cholesterol and high triglycerides.
Another report suggests that glucomannan might improve gut health and improve metabolic syndrome factors.
This might be because of the way glucomannan can potentially increase the activity of an antioxidant in the body known as glutathione peroxidase. This antioxidant protects from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and may improve heart disease, cancer and other disease risk.
Improved Diabetes Symptoms
A well-documented feature of glucomannan is its ability to improve diabetes symptoms and risk factors. In addition to lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, glucomannan has been found to lower fasting blood sugar levels, according to research.
In general, it’s acceptable to assume glucomannan might have mild to moderate benefits for those suffering from diabetes, including high-risk patients.
How Does Lipozene Aid Weight Loss?
In observational studies, people who eat more dietary fiber tend to weigh less.
The exact reason is unknown, but there are a number of ways that soluble fiber could help you lose weight.
Here are some ways glucomannan, the active ingredient in Lipozene, may promote weight loss:
- Keeps you full: It absorbs water and expands in your stomach. This slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach, making you fuller for longer.
- Low in calories: The capsules are low-calorie, so they will help you feel full without adding extra calories to your diet.
- Reduces dietary calories: It may reduce the absorption of other nutrients, like protein and fat, meaning you get fewer calories from the food you eat.
- Promotes gut health: It may indirectly influence weight by promoting good bacteria in your gut. This could make you less prone to weight gain.
Many other types of soluble fiber may offer the same effects.
However, the super-absorbent properties of glucomannan cause it to form an extra-thick gel, perhaps making it even more effective at making you feel full.
Is Lipozene Safe?
Lipozene contains 1.5 g of Amorphophallus konjac (glucomannan) in a capsule form. Though the product is otherwise well tolerated, more clinical evidence is required to know if the capsule is absolutely safe. Also, the maximum effective and maximum tolerable doses of Lipozene in different age-groups is yet to be established, though doses up to 3 g cause no significant problems in most people.
- The Lipozene capsule is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of evidence for its safety in pregnancy.
- There have been reports of people developing obstruction in food-pipe and stomach after taking Lipozene. This obstruction may cause severe gastric distress and pain. In individuals with known motility problems of the gastrointestinal system (sluggish gut, diabetes gastroparesis) or those with structural abnormalities of the gut, Lipozene is not recommended.
- In individuals who have fluctuating sugar levels, caution is advised. The potential ability of the Lipozene to lower blood glucose may cause a dangerously low sugar level, especially in those receiving oral antidiabetic medicines or insulin.
- Glucomannan may reduce the availability of other oral medications like antibiotics, cholesterol medicines, and blood pressure medicines in the body.
- Glucomannan has been linked to cholestatic hepatitis and occupational asthma in some studies.
- Other minor adverse effects of Lipozene or glucomannan are loose motions, flatulence, belly cramps, and bloating.
- A few people develop sensitivity to fiber supplements and get rashes on the body.
Hence, the supplement should be taken under the proper guidance and care of a qualified health professional.
Lipozene Side Effects
The people who are facing many problems for losing weight, take diet pills without thinking about the side effects. Lipozene diet pills One of the most popular weight loss options for the users. Various Lipozene reviews and researchers say this pill is good for weight loss. But you may face side effects like abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, loose stools, etc.
Because repeated clinical trials have not been able to definitively prove that glucomannan causes weight loss, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has determined that glucomannan has “little to no effect on body weight.”
The NIH also cautions users of the potential risks of taking glucomannan. Possible side effects include loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.
Both the NIH and product packaging
warn that taking glucomannan in tablet form may also obstruct the esophagus if it isn’t consumed with adequate fluids. For this reason, it is further recommended that people with difficulty swallowing not take Lipozene.
The manufacturers recommend that you take 2 capsules of Lipozene 30 minutes before a meal with at least 8 ounces (230 ml) of water.
You can do this three times per day for a maximum of 6 capsules spread throughout the day.
This is equal to taking 1.5 grams, 3 times a day — or 4.5 grams a day total. This just exceeds the amount known to be effective for weight loss — namely between 2–4 grams per day.
However, the timing is quite important, as glucomannan doesn’t affect weight unless it’s taken before a meal.
It’s also important to take it in capsule form — rather than the powder from inside the capsules — and to wash it down with a lot of water.
Glucomannan powder is very absorbent. If taken incorrectly, it could expand before it reaches your stomach and cause a blockage. Inhaling the powder could also be life-threatening.
Additionally, you may want to start with a small amount and increase it gradually. Suddenly including a lot of fiber in your diet can cause digestive distress.
Lipozene is usually well tolerated. However, people occasionally report nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea and constipation.
If you’re taking any medications, especially diabetes medication, such as sulfonylureas, you should consult your doctor before taking Lipozene. It may reduce the effectiveness of the drug by blocking its absorption.
Nevertheless, this can usually be avoided by taking your medication at least an hour before or four hours after taking the supplement.
Finally, the benefits of Lipozene and glucomannan are the same. This means you could buy an unbranded, cheaper glucomannan supplement if you wanted to.
Also, glucomannan is the main ingredient in shirataki noodles, which cost even less.
