Safety and efficacy of glucomannan for weight loss in overweight and moderately obese adults.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Few safe and effective dietary supplements are available to promote weight loss. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of glucomannan, a water-soluble fiber supplement, for achieving weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets.

METHODS:

Participants were randomly assigned to take 1.33 grams of glucomannan or identically looking placebo capsules with 236.6 mL (8 ounces) of water one hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was change in body weight after 8 weeks. Other efficacy outcomes were changes in body composition, hunger/fullness, and lipid and glucose concentrations. Safety outcomes included gastrointestinal symptoms/tolerance and serum liver enzymes and creatinine levels.

RESULTS:

A total of 53 participants (18-65 years of age; BMI 25-35 kg/m²) were enrolled and randomized. The two groups did not differ with respect to baseline characteristics and compliance with the study supplement. At 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the glucomannan and placebo groups in amount of weight loss (-.40 ± .06 and -.43 ± .07, resp.) or other efficacy outcomes or in any of the safety outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Glucomannan supplements administered over 8 weeks were well tolerated but did not promote weight loss or significantly alter body composition, hunger/fullness, or lipid and glucose parameters. This trial is registered with NCT00613600.

• Authors: Joyce K Keithley, Barbara Swanson, Susan L Mikolaitis, Mark DeMeo, Janice M Zeller, Lou Fogg, Jehan Adamji
• Journal: Journal of obesity (J Obes) Vol. 2013 Pg. 610908 ( 2013) ISSN: 2090-0716 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24490058 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cathartics
• Mannans
• (1-6)-alpha-glucomannan

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Body Composition
• Body Mass Index
• Cathartics (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mannans (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Obesity (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Treatment Failure
• Weight Loss (drug effects)