Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults

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. Partici...

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Main Authors: Joyce K. Keithley, Barbara Swanson, Susan L. Mikolaitis, Mark DeMeo, Janice M. Zeller, Lou Fogg, Jehan Adamji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Journal of Obesity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/610908
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author Joyce K. Keithley
Barbara Swanson
Susan L. Mikolaitis
Mark DeMeo
Janice M. Zeller
Lou Fogg
Jehan Adamji
author_facet Joyce K. Keithley
Barbara Swanson
Susan L. Mikolaitis
Mark DeMeo
Janice M. Zeller
Lou Fogg
Jehan Adamji
author_sort Joyce K. Keithley
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-8201e02e8dae47e29fdda05cf6d90a2d2025-08-20T03:35:24ZengWileyJournal of Obesity2090-07082090-07162013-01-01201310.1155/2013/610908610908Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese AdultsJoyce K. Keithley0Barbara Swanson1Susan L. Mikolaitis2Mark DeMeo3Janice M. Zeller4Lou Fogg5Jehan Adamji6Rush University College of Nursing, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, USARush University College of Nursing, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, USARush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USASection of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USANorth Park University School of Nursing, 3225 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625, USACommunity, Systems, and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, USAFaculty Practice, Rush University College of Nursing, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, USABackground. 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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/610908
spellingShingle Joyce K. Keithley
Barbara Swanson
Susan L. Mikolaitis
Mark DeMeo
Janice M. Zeller
Lou Fogg
Jehan Adamji
Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
Journal of Obesity
title Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
title_full Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
title_fullStr Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
title_full_unstemmed Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
title_short Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults
title_sort safety and efficacy of glucomannan for weight loss in overweight and moderately obese adults
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/610908
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