Diet pills are an attractive option for people who find losing weight difficult.
They offer a seemingly easy way to get rid of excess weight. Many also promise to help burn fat without a strict diet or exercise program.
Lipozene is a weight loss supplement that promises to do just that, with exceptional results.
This article examines the effectiveness of lipozene and its safe application.
Table of contents
What is lipozene?
Lipozene is a weight loss supplement containing a water-soluble fiber called glucomannan.
In fact, glucomannan is the only active ingredient in Lipozene. It comes from the roots of konjac, also called elephant yam.
Glucomannan fiber has an extraordinary water absorption capacity: a single capsule can turn an entire glass of water into gel.
For this reason, it is often used as a food additive to thicken or emulsify foods. It is also the main ingredient in shirataki noodles.
This water absorption property also provides glucomannan with many health benefits, such as weight loss, relief from constipation, and reduction of cholesterol and blood sugar levels (1).
Lipozene is a commercial glucomannan product that claims to provide all of these benefits.
It also contains gelatin, magnesium silicate and stearic acid. None of these solutions will help you lose weight, but add more and keep the product from becoming lumpy.
Summary Lipozene contains the soluble fiber glucomannan, which is believed to keep you fuller longer so you eat less and lose weight.
How Does Lipozene Help Weight Loss?
In observational studies, people who eat more dietary fiber tend to weigh less.
The exact reason is unknown, but soluble fiber can help you lose weight in several ways (2).
Glucomannan, the active ingredient in Lipozene, may promote weight loss:
- Keeps you full: It absorbs water and expands in the stomach. This slows down the speed at which food leaves your stomach, which will keep you fuller for longer (3).
- Low in calories: The capsules are low in calories and will help you feel full without adding calories to your diet.
- Reduces food calories: This can reduce the absorption of other nutrients, such as protein and fat, meaning the foods you eat have fewer calories (4).
- Promotes Gut Health: It can indirectly influence weight by promoting the appearance of good bacteria in the intestine. This might make you less likely to gain weight (5, 6, 7).
Many other types of soluble fiber can have the same effects.
However, glucomannan's super-absorbent properties force it to form a very thick gel, perhaps making it even more effective at keeping you feeling full (8).
Summary Lipozene can help you feel full, reduce calories from food, and promote the growth of good gut bacteria.
Does it really work?
A number of studies have examined the effect of glucomannan, the active ingredient in Lipozene, on weight loss. Many report small but positive effects (1, 9).
In a five-week study, 176 people were randomly assigned to a 1-calorie diet plus a fiber supplement containing glucomannan or a placebo (200).
Those who took the fiber supplement lost about 1,7 kg (3,7 pounds) more compared to the placebo group.
Similarly, a recent study concluded that glucomannan may help reduce body weight in overweight or obese people in the short term (11).
However, some researchers believe that the weight loss benefits of fiber supplements generally disappear after about six months. Results are best when combined with a controlled low-calorie diet (10, 12).
This means that to achieve long-term results, you will still need to make changes to your diet.
Summary The glucomannan in Lipozene may help you lose small amounts of weight when combined with a low-calorie diet. One study found that people on glucomannan lost 1,7 pounds (3,7 kg) more.
Other health benefits
Soluble fiber is linked to various health benefits.
Therefore, taking Lipozene may have other benefits besides weight loss.
Potential health benefits include:
- Reduced Constipation: Glucomannan may help treat constipation. The recommended dose is 1 gram, three times a day (13, 14, 15).
- Reduced risk of disease: This can lower blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar. These are risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes (1, 16, 17).
- Improved Gut Health: Glucomannan has prebiotic properties. It feeds the friendly bacteria in the gut, which produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids that may reduce the risk of several diseases (6, 18).
Summary Glucomannan, the main ingredient in lipozene, may reduce constipation, improve gut health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Dosage and side effects
Manufacturers recommend taking 2 Lipozene capsules 30 minutes before a meal with at least 230 ml (8 oz) of water.
You can do this three times a day for a maximum of 6 capsules spread throughout the day.
This equates to taking 1,5 grams, 3 times per day – or 4,5 grams per day in total. This simply exceeds the amount known to be effective in weight loss, which is between 2 and 4 grams per day (9).
However, timing is quite important, as glucomannan does not affect weight unless taken before a meal.
It is also important to take it in capsule form – rather than the powder from inside the capsules – and wash it down with plenty of water.
Glucomannan powder is very absorbent. If taken incorrectly, it could expand before reaching your stomach and cause a blockage. Inhalation of the powder can also be fatal.
Additionally, you can start with a small amount and gradually increase it. Suddenly, a diet rich in fiber can cause digestive distress.
Lipozene is generally well tolerated. However, some people occasionally report nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation.
If you are taking medications, especially medications for diabetes, such as sulfonylureas, you should consult your doctor before taking Lipozene. This may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine by blocking its absorption.
However, this can usually be avoided by taking your medication at least one hour before or four hours after taking the supplement.
Finally, the benefits of lipozene and glucomannan are the same. This means you can buy a cheaper, unbranded glucomannan supplement if you want.
Additionally, glucomannan is the main ingredient in shirataki noodles, which cost even less.
Summary The recommended dosage for Lipozene is 2 capsules, 30 minutes before a meal, with a minimum of 230 ml (8 ounces) of water. You can do this with up to three meals per day, or a maximum of 6 capsules per day.
The final result
Some scientific evidence suggests that the glucomannan in Lipozene could help you achieve your weight loss goal.
If you are interested in trying this, you will get the same benefit with any glucomannan supplement. A good variety of these supplements are available on Amazon.
However, it is important to note that this is not a “quick fix” for weight loss and will not help you lose a significant amount of weight alone.
To lose weight and keep it off, you will still need to follow a healthy diet and exercise.
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