Questionable Effectiveness of New Weight-Loss Supplement Lipozene

According to some experts, a new weight-loss supplement known as Lipozene, which is based on fibre-rich product glucomannan, can be not as effective as the manufacturer claims. Although the supplement has been developed by a reputable Obesity Research Institute, its alleged effectiveness can be based on thin evidence.

Since the levels of obesity are skyrocketing in the entire industrialized world, our drugstores are now filled with countless “magic pills” that promise rapid weight loss. Producers of numerous patented fat burners, calorie dissolvers and metabolism enhancers pledge that their products will induce an effective loss of unwanted pounds, even without dieting or exercising. Of course, such claims sound very appealing to most of us! Wide-scaled advertizing campaigns for such supplements ensure that the manufacturers will gain vast profits, however, most weight-loss supplements on the modern market do not help obese people shed their excess weight. Now, Lipozene is aggressively marketed as one of the “most effective” weight-loss aids to help people achieve healthy weight. How true are those claims?

The supplement is based on the naturally-derived substance glucomannan, a fibre-rich root of the Asian plant known as “elephant yam.” When mixed with water, the product turns into a gel-like substance that cannot be digested. Allegedly, it curbs appetite and helps users feel full even after small meals, which theoretically leads to weight loss. Interestingly, the producer was on the market before, with similar, glucomannan-based products known as FiberThin and Propolene. Distribution of these two products was accompanied by false weight-loss claims, which resulted in a legal action against the Obesity Research Institute.

Lipozene promotions encourage overweight and obese individuals to purchase this expensive product, a capsule of which contains 750 milligrams of the active ingredient glucomannan. Since a daily dose of the supplement is six capsules, a one-month supply of Lipozene costs about $90. To compare, glucomannan-containing supplements manufactured by other producers cost way cheaper – about $30 for a one-month supply.

Lipozene is marketed as a “breakthrough” innovation in the fields of weight loss, which does not require additional pound-shedding measures, such as exercising or calorie counting. The ads also state that the product has been “clinically-proven” as a highly efficient weight-loss and fat-burning aid that works without dieting.

However, the bottom line is that there is no evidence that Lipozene can induce a substantial weight loss effect. In the opinion of Professor Vladimir Vuksan, a nutritional researcher from the University of Toronto, small amounts of glucomannan contained in this supplement are not sufficient to contribute to an effective loss of unwanted pounds.

Dr. Vuksan has been engaged in fibre research for more than twenty years of his scientific career, which makes him one of most knowledgeable experts in the field. He said that, although small doses of glucomannan, as well as other fibre products, could hamper appetite to a small degree, its regular consumption might lead to the developing of digestive problems due to its high degree of viscosity. The professor also added that, in order to achieve a noticeable fat-burning effect while taking the product, a daily dose should be at least 20 grams of glucomannan, the dose which would induce severe digestive distress, including diarrhea.

Other experts say that fibre products, taken in safe amounts, are generally ineffective in triggering or supporting weight loss. Other researchers, including American nutritional consultant Konstantin Monastirsky, an author of the book “Fibre Menace”, claim that consumption of even small amounts of fibre can damage the digestive system of humans.

As most experts say, the best way to lose weight still remains intact, which is to eat less, restrict dietary sugars and other carbohydrates, and exercise more. A magic weight loss pill is yet to be discovered!

Kim Suffolk