GLUCOMANNAN Overview Information
Glucomannan is a sugar made from the root of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac). Glucommanan powder, capsules, and tablets are used as medicine.
Glucomannan is used for constipation, weight loss in adults and children, type 2 diabetes, blood sugar control, and lowering cholesterol.
In foods, glucomannan is used as a thickener or gelling agent. Glucommanan flour and powder are used in food.
How does it work?
Glucomannan might work in the stomach and intestines by absorbing water to form a bulky fiber which treats constipation. It may also slow the absorption of sugar and cholesterol from the gut, helping to control sugar levels in diabetes, and reducing cholesterol levels.
GLUCOMANNAN Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Effective for:
- Reducing cholesterol levels in people with diabetes.
- Helping control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Constipation.
- Weight loss.
- High cholesterol when used with chitosan.
- Other conditions.
GLUCOMANNAN Side Effects & Safety
Glucomannan powder or flour in enriched foods such as Japanese noodles is LIKELY SAFE. Glucomannan powder and capsules are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults and children. But solid tablets containing glucomannan are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. These can sometimes cause blockages of the throat or intestines.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of glucomannan during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: Glucomannan may interfere with blood sugar control. Monitor blood sugar closely if you have diabetes and use glucomannan.
Surgery: Glucomannan might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using glucomannan at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
GLUCOMANNAN Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with GLUCOMANNAN
Glucomannan can decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking glucomannan along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others. - Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with GLUCOMANNAN
Glucomannan absorbs substances in the stomach and intestines. Taking glucomannan along with medications taken by mouth can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs, and decrease the effectiveness of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take glucomannan at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.
GLUCOMANNAN Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For type 2 diabetes with high cholesterol: 3.6 to 10.6 grams of glucomannan per day.
