What Are the Side Effects of Lipozene?

Weight problems are a big issue in today's population. Diet plans, exercise routines and weight loss products are all in high demand. Lipozene is one of many natural supplements advertised to help with weight loss. As with any other drug, there are benefits and side effects to consider when adding a supplement to your diet.

Identification

The main ingredient in Lipozene is glucommannan, a water soluble, dietary fiber that comes from a plant called the Konjac root. The Konjac root plant grows only in Asia and is cultivated in Japan. The plant is made up of a dry, porous material, of which 70 percent is glucommannan and 30 percent is starch. Its chemical composition makes for a high absorption rate within the stomach's chemical make-up. If too much is ingested, side effects including abdominal pain, nausea, gas and diarrhea. Lipozene can be purchased online or through your local drug store.

Function

Lipozene is reported to absorb up to 200 times its weight in water. When taken before a meal, this effect causes you to feel full, as the drug interacts with the foods in the stomach. Because of its high absorption rate, you need small doses to get the best results. Lipozene's chemical properties bind with bile acid and cholesterols inside the stomach and eliminates them through the bowels. There are, however, reported drawbacks to these effects. Many studies have shown that the process of binding with food in the stomach may deprive you of other needed nutrients. These nutrients are, instead, eliminated by the body along with the cholesterol.

Effects

A number of nutritional supplement products containing glucommannan are advertised to treat cases of high cholesterol, constipation, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not substantiated these claims. Those considering taking Lipozene should consult with a physician, especially if you have diabetes, difficulty swallowing, any chronic health problem or experience a narrowing of the esophagus.
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take Lipozene. If you're on any other type of medication, vitamin or supplement, be sure to discuss these with your physician to avoid potentially harmful drug interactions.

Considerations

Lipozene's high fiber content provides other benefits besides help with weight loss. Like any other fiber product, it is a form of roughage that aids in the digestion process. Many studies recommend Lipozene as a treatment for problems associated with constipation.
The glucomannan ingredient is also known to help delay the emptying of the stomach which allows for a more gradual absorption of dietary sugars. This is thought to reduce the occurrence of elevated sugar levels after a meal. Because of this, people with diabetes should consult with their physician before taking Lipozene.

Warning

When considering adding any type of weight loss product or dietary supplement to your diet, research it thoroughly. Lipozene's main manufacturer, Obesity Research Institute, LLC, has numerous FDA rulings against it. The company was accused of making fraudulent claims regarding previous products, all of which were advertised as weight loss solutions. The company did settle out of court for these products. And while these rulings were made against other products marketed by this company in the past, it is worthy of notice. To date, no such filings have been made against their Lipozene product.