Lipozene is the brand name of a dietary supplement which is currently sold by the Obesity Research Institute, LLC. It contains a fiber-based primary ingredient called glucomannan, which is listed as the only active ingredient for the product.
Glucomannan comes from the roots of the konjac plant, which is more commonly known as “elephant yam.” In its raw state, the average konjac root contains between 8% to 10% glucomannan.
The fiber is unique in its ability to form a gel as it absorbs water, which makes you feel fuller faster when you take these capsules. It only takes one capsule to turn an entire glass into gel. When konjac glucomannan is exposed to hot water, however, it is not effective at dissolving it.
You’ll often find glucomannan used as a thickener in food products. If you’ve ever eaten shirataki noodles, then you’ve had it before. When taken regularly, it may offer several health benefits.
Here are the pros and cons of Lipozene to consider if you’re thinking about using this supplement for your weight loss needs.
List of the Pros of Lipozene
1. It may promote weight loss in some people.
In general terms, an individual who consumes more dietary fiber will usually weigh less over time than someone who consumes very little. The reason for that rule is not completely known. With glucomannan, you do have the option of feeling full for a longer time period. It will also cause you to go to the bathroom more often, which encourages less fat formation. You can promote good gut health and reduce calorie consumption at the same time.
2. There is clinical research to support how glucomannan works.
Although the clinical studies into glucomannan are small, there is some research to support the claims which are being made by the Obesity Research Institute. In a 5-week study, for example, 176 people were given a placebo or glucomannan, then assigned a 1,200-calorie diet. Those who took the supplement lost about 4 pounds more when compared to the placebo group. Another small study suggests that glucomannan may encourage weight loss over a short time period for people who are overweight or obese.
3. You may experience a decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms.
People who consume higher quantities of fiber may have less constipation. It may lower their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels, which are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It may even encourage healthy bacteria development in the gut, which lowers your risk of several diseases thanks to the formation of short-chain fatty acids.
4. You can achieve results with just 6 pills per day.
When following the instructions for Lipozene, you should take two capsules before every meal. That means your maximum dose should be six capsules per day. Because there are no complicated instructions to follow, you can take advantage of the fiber it provides without missing doses because of complicated patterns. It is essential to remember, however, that Lipozene is a fiber supplement, not a drug.
5. It digests slowly once it is taken.
When glucomannan hits your stomach, it will begin a slow digestive process. Because it stays in your stomach, you will typically feel fuller for a longer time. That can suppress your food cravings for options that may not be healthy. When taken as instructed, you increase your chances of reducing your overall caloric intake for the day, especially if you take Lipozene before meals.
6. There are other health benefits to consider with glucomannan too.
If you mix American ginseng with glucomannan products, you have an effective way to manage diabetes symptoms for some people. Part of the reason for this benefit is the fiber action that occurs with this product. Some may see an improvement to the health of their skin, especially if they combine Lipozene with a topical product which contains glucomannan at the same time. It may also encourage wound healing in some individuals.
7. It may provide a benefit to those with rheumatoid arthritis.
In 2008, an animal study which involved glucomannan discovered that the anti-inflammatory compounds found in the substance could alleviate the symptoms of RA. These studies are still in preliminary stages, despite more than a decade of research, and no human trials are reported for this benefit. The only published work comes from Neuroendocrinology Letters.
8. Glucomannan products have been used for over 1,000 years.
Although Western researchers have only been interested in glucomannan products since the 1980s, the konjac root has been a dietary staple in Asian and Eastern cultures for at least two millennia. It has been used as a thickener, a fat substitute, and in many other ways, even with the water-absorption qualities it contains. It is only recently that glucomannan has been offered in capsule and tablet form as a weight loss supplement, but cultures have used it naturally for similar results since it was discovered.
9. You may experience a positive lipid profile.
When taking glucomannan products (or foods) regularly, you may experience better carb tolerance, improved blood lipids, and satiety. That means you can handle insulin sensitivity issues with better efficiency, reducing your cravings, glucose swings, and food cravings. In 2005, a review of glucomannan products found that these benefits begin at a dosage level of just 2g per day for some individuals. A study from 1984 found that glucomannan helps lower LDL levels better than soluble fibers like psyllium.
10. It might help with acne outbreaks.
If you take Lipozene with foods that contain natural probiotics, you may be able to reduce the severity of an acne outbreak. You should eat foods that don’t have probiotics artificially added for best results. Think miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Taking a probiotic supplement with a glucomannan supplement has not been shown to be effective.
List of the Cons of Lipozene
1. The company behind Lipozene has a poor track record.
Since 2005, the makers of Lipozene have encountered various legal and civil issues with regards to their product. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined the Obesity Research Institute $1.5 million for false advertising related to two of their products at the time. In 2011, a group of customers successfully sued the company for $5 million because their products provided no result. The FTC filed a lawsuit in 2016 claiming that the company is still using misleading advertising practices.
2. It has a low customer rating profile on Amazon.
Almost 50% of the customer ratings that Lipozene has received on Amazon are of the 1-star variety. The overall rating of the product depends on the actual listing chosen. The lowest has a 2.1 rating as of November 2018, while the highest rating is 4.3. The bulk products tend to have higher ratings for the company than the monthly supply listings.
3. The weight loss benefits from Lipozene may be temporary.
Just as there is research to suggest that glucomannan helps to encourage weight loss, the long-term use of fiber products does not provide similar results. The weight loss benefits of fiber products, including supplements like Lipozene, tend to wear off after six months of use. Even though the provider says you don’t need to make lifestyle changes when taking their supplement to lose weight, the best results happen when you control calories and increase your fiber intake.
4. Like most supplements, it may not be an affordable product for some.
In a review of the available listings for Lipozene products, the cost varies based on the size of the product you prefer. The starter kit retails for between $40 to $50. You can purchase 60 capsules of the product for $21.80 on one listing, but 120 capsules are priced at $34.95 on another listing. You’ll find that the generic price range for this product is between $15 to $65, depending upon where it is sold, who is selling it, and what the public rating for the product happens to be.
5. It must be taken in capsule form alone.
When you take Lipozene, you must make sure that you do so with lots of water. The product is very absorbent, forming a gel almost immediately. If you take the product incorrectly, there is the possibility that it could form a blockage in your esophagus because it can expand before it reaches your stomach. Blockages of the intestines are also possible with this product. You should never inhale the powder from this product either, as that activity is listed as being a life-threatening circumstance.
6. Children should not take Lipozene without doctor supervision.
The National Institutes of Health rates glucomannan products as being “likely unsafe” to take for children. Even if it is taken in tablet form, the risks of the gel that forms are increased for kids because of differences in size and their development cycle. Even if the product is taken safely, children are likely to experience loose stools, abdominal discomfort, constipation, or diarrhea that could lead to other health situations.
7. Lipozene doesn’t solve your eating problems.
Some people choose to overindulge with food because they like to eat. Lipozene might help with that. What it won’t help with are the other reasons why people eat more than they should. If you are taking comfort in food, using it as a coping mechanism, or simply eating because you’re bored and have nothing better to do, then this product is not going to help you. To resolve your weight concerns, you must first address the stressful triggers which are causing you to eat in the first place.
8. The product guarantees only apply to specific orders.
If you decide to purchase Lipozene through an online retailer such as Amazon, then your money-back guarantees are voided. You can only receive your money back if you feel like the glucomannan doesn’t work for you if you completed a TV or internet order directly with the company. Some sellers might offer their own guarantee outside of what the Obesity Research Institute offers. You must contact the company within 30 days to receive an authorization number for the return.
9. All of the research studies involving glucomannan exclude Lipozene.
Despite the marketing pitch that you can lose weight without changing your lifestyle, the research studies that have included glucomannan have involved partnering the fiber with changes to exercise and diet choices. People were asked to change their routines as part of the study, which means you’d need to do the same thing to experience results. You can even see this fact on the Lipozene commercials if you read the disclaimer text at the bottom of the screen.
10. There are medication interactions which must be tracked.
Glucomannan products are known to interact with drugs that are taken for Type 2 diabetes that lower blood sugar levels. If you take Lipozene with your diabetes medication, then your blood sugar levels might go too low. You must monitor your blood sugar carefully when taking this product to avoid a potential health emergency. Your doctor might want to make adjustments to your medication.
Because of the way glucomannan forms a gel in the digestive tract, it may alter how all your medications and supplements are absorbed by the body. It may increase or decrease the effectiveness of what you take. You must take all medication at least one hour before you take Lipozene.
11. Some research studies say glucomannan has no effect on weight loss.
Just as there is research to support glucomannan as a weight loss agent, there are studies which also suggest otherwise. In a small study of 53 individuals who were overweight or obese, one group was given glucomannan and the other group was given placebos. Both groups took their capsules with eight ounces of water over three doses, 60 minutes before eating a meal. Over the course of eight weeks, there was no significant difference between the two groups.
12. You may experience the typical symptoms of having too much fiber.
If you’re just starting with Lipozene and you haven’t taken fiber supplements in the past, then you may want to start with a 50% dose. If your digestive tract isn’t used to the experience, the extra fiber may cause gas and bloating, along with other related discomfort. Remember that you can’t take an antacid after you take Lipozene for up to 2 hours afterward, so if you expect an upset stomach, take a long-lasting antacid about 1 hour before you expect to eat.
In Conclusion
When reviewing these Lipozene pros and cons, it is essential to remember that there are no shortcuts with weight loss. You might be able to lose a few pounds without any diet or exercise changes with this product, but it will eventually cause that weight to come back. Fiber is only effective for so long. For meaningful changes, try using Lipozene as instructed with healthier eating habits and an increase of moderate daily exercise.