Konjac

Konjac (Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch) belongs to the Araceae family, and originates from southeast Asia. It is grown in south and southeastern China and Vietnam. Its flowers are produced on a dark purplish spathe, with a thick tuber that can grow up to 30 cm in diameter.
The dried and pulverised tuber is called konjac flour, from which konjac glucomannan (1) is obtained.

History

Konjac has been used in China, Japan and East Asia for medicinal purposes and as food. In traditional Chinese medicine, a gel is prepared with konjac flour for detoxification, phlegm liquefaction and relieving circulatory problems. It has also traditionally been used in China for over 2,000 years to treat asthma, skin and blood disorders, burns and hernias (2).

Composition

Konjac tuber is rich in glucomannan, a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide. It is a soluble fibre that readily mixes with water to form a high viscosity gel (1).

Our extract

• Extract name: Dry extract of konjac standardised to contain 90% glucomannan
• Scientific name: Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch
• Part used: Tuber

Benefits

Glucomannan is a soluble fibre that increases feelings of fullness and helps you lose weight. It is also used as a laxative and in cases of high blood lipid levels (1).

Usage, dosage

One dose of our product (9 capsules) is equivalent to 3005 mg of glucomannan. We recommend drinking one or two glasses of water half an hour before meals.

Studies/research

Glucomannan is effective in reducing weight and body fat (3-4). When ingested with liquid, the soluble fibre forms a viscous gel in the digestive system that slows gastric emptying and slows down the absorption of nutrients (1-2), which creates a feeling of fullness and helps control appetite and lose weight.
Various clinical studies have shown that consuming konjac glucomannan can lower blood cholesterol levels, improve intestinal transit, gut flora, and the metabolism of carbohydrates (2).
Finally, konjac glucomannan also has antioxidant properties. One study established an increase in the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and gut mucosa, due to the gene expression regulation mediated by this fibre (5).

Bibliography

1. Manual de Fitoterapia [Herbal medicine manual]. Castillo-García and Martínez-Solís (2011). Elsevier.
2. Traditional uses and potential health benefits of Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch ex N.E.Br. Chua et al. (2010) J Ethnopharmacol 128(2): 268-278.
3. Konjac glucomannan dietary supplementation causes significant fat loss in compliant overweight adults. Kaats et al. (2015) J Am Coll Nutr 22: 1-7.
4. The effect of a novel viscous polysaccharide along with lifestyle changes on short-term weight loss and associated risk factors in overweight and obese adults: an observational retrospective clinical program analysis. Lyon and Reichert (2010) Altern Med Rev 15(1): 68-75.
5. Konjac glucomannan and inulin systematically modulate antioxidant defense in rats fed a high-fat fiber-free diet. Wu and Chen (2011) J Agric Food Chem 59(17):9194-200.