Lipozene Review: Does It Work and Is It Safe?

Lipozene is a weight loss supplement that contains a water-soluble fiber called glucomannan.

In fact, glucomannan is the only active ingredient in Lipozene. It comes from the roots of the konjac plant, also called elephant yam.

The glucomannan fiber has an extraordinary ability to absorb water — a single capsule can turn an entire glass of water into a gel.

For this reason, it is often used as a food additive for thickening or emulsifying food. It’s also the main ingredient in shirataki noodles.

This water-absorbing property also gives glucomannan many of its health benefits, such as weight loss, relief from constipation and a reduction in cholesterol and blood sugar levels (1Trusted Source).

Lipozene is a commercial glucomannan product that claims to offer all these benefits.

It also contains gelatin, magnesium silicate and stearic acid. None of these help with weight loss, but add bulk and keep the product from getting lumpy.

SUMMARYLipozene contains the soluble fiber glucomannan, which is claimed to keep you fuller for longer so that you eat less and lose weight.

In observational studies, people who eat more dietary fiber tend to weigh less.

The exact reason is unknown, but there are a number of ways that soluble fiber could help you lose weight (2Trusted Source).

Here are some ways glucomannan, the active ingredient in Lipozene, may promote weight loss:

• Keeps you full: It absorbs water and expands in your stomach. This slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach, making you fuller for longer (3Trusted Source).
• Low in calories: The capsules are low-calorie, so they will help you feel full without adding extra calories to your diet.
• Reduces dietary calories: It may reduce the absorption of other nutrients, like protein and fat, meaning you get fewer calories from the food you eat (4Trusted Source).
• Promotes gut health: It may indirectly influence weight by promoting good bacteria in your gut. This could make you less prone to weight gain (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Many other types of soluble fiber may offer the same effects.

However, the super-absorbent properties of glucomannan cause it to form an extra-thick gel, perhaps making it even more effective at making you feel full (8Trusted Source).

SUMMARYLipozene may help you feel full, reduce the number of calories you get from food and promote the growth of friendly gut bacteria.

A number of studies have investigated how glucomannan, Lipozene’s active ingredient, affects weight loss. Many report small but positive effects (1Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

In one five-week study, 176 people were randomly assigned to a 1,200-calorie diet plus either a fiber supplement containing glucomannan or a placebo (10Trusted Source).

Those who took the fiber supplement lost around 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg) more, compared to the placebo group.

Similarly, a recent review concluded that glucomannan may help reduce body weight in overweight or obese people in the short term (11Trusted Source).

However, some researchers believe that the weight loss benefits of fiber supplements usually disappear after about six months. The results are better when combined with a calorie-controlled diet (10Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).

This means that for long-term results, you will still need to make changes to your diet.

SUMMARYThe glucomannan in Lipozene can help you lose small amounts of weight when combined with a calorie-controlled diet. One study found that people taking glucomannan lost 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg) more weight.

Soluble fiber is linked to various health benefits.

Therefore, taking Lipozene may have other benefits besides weight loss.

The potential health benefits include:

• Reduced constipation: Glucomannan can help treat constipation. The recommended dose is 1 gram, three times a day (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
• Lower disease risk: It may lower blood pressure, blood fats and blood sugar. These are risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes (1Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
• Improved gut health: Glucomannan has prebiotic properties. It feeds the friendly bacteria in the gut, which produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids that may lower your risk of several diseases (6Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).

SUMMARYGlucomannan, the main ingredient in Lipozene, may reduce constipation, improve gut health and lower your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The manufacturers recommend that you take 2 capsules of Lipozene 30 minutes before a meal with at least 8 ounces (230 ml) of water.

You can do this three times per day for a maximum of 6 capsules spread throughout the day.

This is equal to taking 1.5 grams, 3 times a day — or 4.5 grams a day total. This just exceeds the amount known to be effective for weight loss — namely between 2–4 grams per day (9Trusted Source).

However, the timing is quite important, as glucomannan doesn’t affect weight unless it’s taken before a meal.

It’s also important to take it in capsule form — rather than the powder from inside the capsules — and to wash it down with a lot of water.

Glucomannan powder is very absorbent. If taken incorrectly, it could expand before it reaches your stomach and cause a blockage. Inhaling the powder could also be life-threatening.

Additionally, you may want to start with a small amount and increase it gradually. Suddenly including a lot of fiber in your diet can cause digestive distress.

Lipozene is usually well tolerated. However, people occasionally report nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea and constipation.

If you’re taking any medications, especially diabetes medication, such as sulfonylureas, you should consult your doctor before taking Lipozene. It may reduce the effectiveness of the drug by blocking its absorption.

Nevertheless, this can usually be avoided by taking your medication at least an hour before or four hours after taking the supplement.

Finally, the benefits of Lipozene and glucomannan are the same. This means you could buy an unbranded, cheaper glucomannan supplement if you wanted to.

Also, glucomannan is the main ingredient in shirataki noodles, which cost even less.

SUMMARYThe recommended dosage for Lipozene is 2 capsules, 30 minutes before a meal with a minimum of 8 ounces (230 ml) of water. You can do this for up to three meals per day, or a maximum of 6 capsules daily.

Some scientific evidence suggests that the glucomannan in Lipozene could help you reach your weight loss goal.

If you’re interested in trying this, you will get the same benefit from any glucomannan supplement. A good variety of these supplements is available on Amazon.

However, it’s important to note that it’s not a “silver bullet” for weight loss and won’t help you lose a significant amount of weight on its own.

To lose weight and keep it off, you’ll still have to follow a healthy diet and exercise.

Source: healthline.com