 |
Konjac P.E. 90%
90% Glucomannan
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). Like other forms of dietary fiber, glucomannan is considered a ¡°bulk-forming laxative.¡± Glucomannan promotes a larger, bulkier stool that passes through the colon more easily and requires less pressure¡ªand subsequently less straining¡ªto expel. Good results have been noted in preliminary1 and double-blind studies of glucomannan for the treatment of constipation. In constipated individuals, glucomannan and other bulk-forming laxatives generally help produce a bowel movement within 12 to 24 hours. The use of glucomannan for diverticular disease of the colon has also been studied in preliminary research; about one-third to one-half of the subjects were found to benefit from glucomannan.7
Glucomannan delays stomach emptying, leading to a more gradual absorption of dietary sugar; this effect can reduce the elevation of blood sugar levels that is typical after a meal.8 Controlled studies have found that after-meal blood sugar levels are lower in people with diabetes given glucomannan in their food,9 and overall diabetic control is improved with glucomannan-enriched diets according to preliminary10 and controlled11 12 trials. One preliminary report suggested that glucomannan may also be helpful in pregnancy-related diabetes.13 One double-blind study reported that glucomannan (8¨C13 grams per day) stabilized blood sugar in people with the insulin resistance syndrome (syndrome X).14 In a preliminary study,15 addition of either 2.6 or 5.2 grams of glucomannan to a meal prevented hypoglycemia in adults with previous stomach surgery; a similar study of children produced inconsistent results.
Like other soluble fibers, glucomannan can bind to bile acids in the gut and carry them out of the body in the feces, which requires the body to convert more cholesterol into bile acids.This can result in the lowering of blood cholesterol and other blood fats. Controlled and double-blind20 21 studies have shown that supplementation with several grams per day of glucomannan significantly reduced total blood cholesterol, LDL (¡°bad¡±) cholesterol, and triglycerides, and in some cases raised HDL (¡°good¡±) cholesterol. One double-blind study reported that glucomannan (8¨C13 grams per day) lowered total and LDL cholesterol in people with the insulin resistance syndrome.22
Glucomannan may help weight loss by occupying space in the stomach, thereby making a person feel full. One double-blind study reported weight loss averaging 5.5 pounds in adults when one gram of glucomannan was taken with a cup of water one hour before each meal for eight weeks.23 However, a similar study of overweight children found that glucomannan was not significantly more effective than a placebo.24 Other controlled studies have found that glucomannan improves the results of weight loss diets in overweight adults25 and children.
|
