Glucomannan root is a dietary fiber employed quite frequently in Western countries for the past two decades. Peoples in East Asia have used glucomannan root fiber for more than a thousand years. This dietary fiber is the main polysaccharide obtained from the tubers of the Amorphophallus konjac plant. Glucomannan root soluble fiber has a extraordinarily high water holding capacity, forming highly viscous solutions when dissolved in water. It has the highest molecular weight and viscosity of any known dietary fiber. For more glucomannan information. Glucomannan has been proposed for weight loss.  
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Nature's Way Glucomannan root supplement

Glucomannan ( Amorphophallus konjac ) is a 100% dietary fiber source obtained from the root of the konjac plant. Glucomannan root is an excellent addition to a sensible weight loss program. This glucomannan product is especially grown and prepared to Japan according to exacting specifications.

Glucomannan root has the ability to absorb up to 50 times its weight in water.

Glucomannan Supplement Facts
Glucomannan root - 1.99 grams

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Side effects of Glucomannan root
To the beneficial properties of this fiber, several disadvantages can be added as the production of flatulence, abdominal pain, esophageal obstruction, lower gastrointestinal obstruction or even the possible modification of the bioavailability of other drugs.

Benefit of glucomannan root
Glucommanan product is effective in the treatment of obesity due to the satiety sensation that it produces; as a remedy for constipation, because it increases the feces volume; as a blood cholesterol lowering fiber, interfering in the transport of cholesterol and of bile acids and as hypoglycemic and hypoinsulinemic agent, probably, by delaying gastric emptying and slowing glucose delivery to the intestinal mucosa.

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Glucomannan root research Update
Fiber (glucomannan root) is beneficial in the treatment of childhood constipation.
Loening-Baucke V. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Pediatrics. 2004 Mar;113(3 Pt 1):e259-64.
Constipation and encopresis are common problems in children. Still today, the role of fiber in the treatment of chronic constipation in childhood is controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether fiber supplementation is beneficial in the treatment of children with functional constipation with or without encopresis. We used glucomannan as the fiber supplement. We evaluated the effect of fiber (glucomannan root, a fiber gel polysaccharide from the tubers of the Japanese Konjac plant) and placebo in children with chronic functional constipation with and without encopresis in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. After the initial evaluation, the patients were disimpacted with 1 or 2 phosphate enemas if a rectal impaction was felt during rectal examination. Patients continued with their preevaluation laxative. No enemas were given during each treatment period. Fiber and placebo were given as 100 mg/kg body weight daily (maximal 5 g/day) with 50 mL fluid/500 mg for 4 weeks each. Parents were asked to have children sit on the toilet 4 times daily after meals and to keep a stool diary. Age, frequency of bowel movements into the toilet and into the undergarment, presence of abdominal pain, dietary fiber intake, medications, and the presence of an abdominal and/or a rectal fecal mass were recorded on a structured form at the time of recruitment and 4 weeks and 8 weeks later. Children were rated by the physician as successfully treated when they had > or =3 bowel movements/wk and < or =1 soiling/3 weeks with no abdominal pain in the last 3 weeks of each 4-week treatment period. Parents made a global assessments to whether they believed that the child was better during the first or second treatment period. All children had functional constipation; in addition, 18 had encopresis when recruited for the study. No significant side effects were reported during each 4-week treatment period. Significantly fewer children complained of abdominal pain and more children were successfully treated while on fiber (45%) as compared with placebo treatment (13%). Parents rated significantly more children (68%) as being better on fiber versus 13% as being better on placebo. The initial fiber intake was low in 22 (71%) children. There was no difference in the percentage of children with low fiber intake living in the United States (70%) and Italy (71%). Successful treatment (physician rating) and improvement (parent rating) were independent of low or acceptable initial fiber intake. The duration of chronic constipation ranged from 0.6 to 10 years. Duration of constipation did not predict response to fiber treatment. Children with constipation only were significantly more likely to be treated successfully with fiber (69%) than those with constipation and encopresis (28%). We found glucomannan root to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation with and without encopresis in children. Symptomatic children who were already on laxatives still benefited from the addition of fiber. Therefore, we suggest that we continue with the recommendation to increase the fiber in the diet of constipated children with and without encopresis.

Konjac supplement alleviated hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic subjects--a randomized double-blind trial.
Chen HL, Sheu WH. Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C. J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Feb;22(1):36-42.
The present study was designed to evaluate effects of konjac glucomannan supplement (3.6 grams per day) for 28 days on blood lipid and glucose levels in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic patients and the possible mechanism for the reductions in blood lipid levels. Twenty-two diabetic subjects with elevated blood cholesterol levels, but currently not taking lipid-lowering medication, were recruited to participate in a two 28-day period, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. Fasting blood samples drawn on the initial and final days of each period were determined for plasma lipids and glucose levels. Feces collected at the end of each experimental period were analyzed for neutral sterol and bile acid contents. Compared with placebo, glucomannan root effectively reduced plasma cholesterol by eleven percent, LDL-cholesterol by 20 percent, ApoB and fasting glucose. Plasma triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol, postprandial glucose and body weight were not significant after adjustment by the Bonferroni-Hochberg procedure. Fecal neutral sterol and bile acid concentrations were increased by 18 and 75 %, respectively, with konjac glucomannan supplement. The glucomannan root supplement improved blood lipid levels by enhancing fecal excretion of neutral sterol and bile acid and alleviated the elevated glucose levels in diabetic subjects. Glucomannan root could be an adjunct for the treatment of hyperlipidemic diabetic subjects.

Glucomannan root questions
Q. I have a question about glucomannan root fiber. With psylium, they recommend taking it two hours before or after taking medication or supplements. Because, it can effect the absorption rate of medication etc. I can’t find any information like this about glucomannan root.
   A. We have not seen any research regarding glucomannan use and supplement timing, but it would make sense that some of the suggestions would be similar to psyllium although most supplements are well absorbed anyway and practically speaking the timing of glucomannan and supplement use should not be a major concern. Most supplements sold have high amounts and even if there is some that is not absorbed, perhaps it may be a good thing.

Q. I recently ordered a glucomannan product upon the understanding that it was beneficial in lowering cholesterol and and in facilitating weight loss. Am I mistaken in my understanding that this product could benefit someone seeking to lower cholesterol without taking statin drugs and someone interested in weight loss?
   A. Glucomannan product may be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels.

Effect of plant sterols and glucomannan on lipids in individuals with and without type II diabetes.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Apr;60(4):529-37. School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplements of plant sterols and/or glucomannan improve lipid profile and cholesterol biosynthesis in mildly hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and to compare the response of these two subject groups to the treatments. Subjects were supplemented with plant sterols (1.8 g/day), glucomannan (10 g/day), a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols, and a placebo, provided in the form of bars. The results suggest that glucomannan and a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols substantially improves plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.

Q. I need some advice on how to take glucomannan supplements. Does it take the good fat out with the bad? Also I have to take enzymes at meal time. Is it okay to take glucomannan at meal time. Can these be taken together? I just need some instructions on taking glucomannan supplements.
   A. Glucomannan reduces fat absorption or it may make you feel satiated so you don't eat as much, it does not take out fat from the body. We are not sure on the interactions between glucomannan and enzyme supplements. Perhaps they can be taken at different times of the meal or taken at separate meals.

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