Effect of glucomannan supplementation on body weight in overweight and obese children: protocol of a randomised controlled trial Effect of short-term ingestion of konjac glucomannan on serum cholesterol in healthy men. [The use of highly purified glucomannan-based fibers in childhood obesity]. Experiences with three different fiber supplements in weight reduction. Safety and Efficacy of Glucomannan for Weight Loss in Overweight and Moderately Obese Adults A Natural Fiber Complex Reduces Body Weight in the Overweight and Obese: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Effect of the dietary fiber glucomannan on chronic constipation in neurologically impaired children. Fiber (glucomannan) is beneficial in the treatment of childhood constipation. Glucomannan for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: a randomized trial. Effect of glucomannan on obese patients: a clinical study. Probiotic With or Without Fiber Controls Body Fat Mass, Associated With Serum Zonulin, in Overweight and Obese Adults—Randomized Controlled Trial☆☆☆ Soy fiber improves weight loss and lipid profile in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial. Evaluation of the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of Garcinia cambogia plus Amorphophallus konjac for the treatment of obesity. [Effects of fiber administration in the prevention of gallstones in obese patients on a reducing diet. A clinical trial]. Soluble fibers from psyllium improve glycemic response and body weight among diabetes type 2 patients (randomized control trial) Cereal fiber improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese women. Childhood obesity treatment: double blinded trial on dietary fibres (glucomannan) versus placebo.
Introduction Glucomannan ( GNN ) , a water-soluble dietary fibre derived from the plant Amorphophallus konjac , is marketed for weight reduction . The exact mechanisms by which GNN might exert its actions are unclear . However , it has been shown that GNN slows gastric emptying by forming a viscous gel of large volume , which increases the feeling of satiety . Current evidence on the effectiveness of GNN for weight reduction is sparse , and well- design ed trials performed in children are needed to assess the efficacy of this modality . We aim to systematic ally evaluate the efficacy of GNN consumption for the management of children who are overweight or obese . Methods and analysis Children aged 6–17 years who are overweight or obese ( based on the WHO growth criteria ) will be r and omly assigned to receive GNN or placebo ( maltodextrin ) ( both at a dose of 3 g/day ) for 3 months and will be followed-up for 3 months . Before the intervention , all children will receive dietetic advice , and they will be encouraged to engage in physical activity . The primary outcome measure will be the body mass index-for-age z-score difference between the groups at the end of the intervention . Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw . The findings of this trial will be su bmi tted to a peer- review ed journal ( paediatric , nutrition or gastroenterology ) . Abstract s will be su bmi tted to relevant national and international conferences . Trial registration number NCT02280772 The effects of the soluble fiber konjac glucomannan ( GM ) on serum cholesterol concentrations were investigated in 63 healthy men in a double-blind crossover , placebo-controlled study . After a 2-wk baseline period , the subjects were given 3.9 g GM or placebo daily for 4 wk . After a washout period of 2 wk , crossover took place , followed by another 4 wk of treatment . The subjects were encouraged not to change their ordinary diets or general lifestyle during the investigation . GM fibers reduced total cholesterol ( TC ) concentrations by 10 % ( P < 0.0001 ) , low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) concentrations by 7.2 % ( P < 0.007 ) , triglycerides by 23 % ( P < 0.03 ) , and systolic blood pressure by 2.5 % ( P < 0.02 ) . High-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) and the ratio of LDL-C to HDL-C did not change significantly . No change in diastolic blood pressure or body weight was observed . No adverse effects were observed . The results of this study show that GM is an effective cholesterol-lowering dietary adjunct To evaluate the effectiveness of highly purified glucomannan in childhood obesity a study has been carried out in 23 obese children ( 12 boys and 11 girls , aged 5.2 - 15.8 years ) , with excess weight of 51 + /- 16 % , treated with 2 - 3 caps twice a day of glucomannan fibres ( DICOMAN 5:2 - 3 gr/die ) , and in 30 obese children ( aged 5 - 18 years ) with excess weight of 51 + /- 10 % , studied as controls . After a three-days food recall , a balanced diet with adequate caloric intake was provided to all obese children . In all patients before and 2 - 4 months after the auxological data ( weight , height , weight excess ) and laboratory data ( serum levels of cholesterol , HDL , triglycerides , glucose , fructosamine , glycosylated hemoglobin , RBC , WBC , hemoglobin , iron , calcium , Cu and Zn ) have been determined . Excess weight and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in treated obese patients than in obese controls 4 months after the beginning of the study . A decrease of cholesterol levels was also observed in treated obese patients , but not in controls , whereas serum iron , calcium , copper and zinc persisted unchanged . No important side-effects were observed in treated patients . On the basis of our results highly purified glucomannan fibres may be employed with effectiveness in obese and dyslipidemic children together with diet BACKGROUND Fiber supplements added to a caloric diet have additional effects on weight reduction in overweight subjects . The aim of this study was to compare the effect of various commercial fiber supplements ( glucomannan , guar gum and alginate ) on weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects . MATERIAL / METHODS One hundred and seventy six men and women were included to receive either active fiber substance or placebo in r and omized placebo-controlled studies . The fiber supplements consisted of the viscous fibers glucomannan ( Chrombalance ) , glucomannan and guar gum ( Appe-Trim ) and glucomannan , guar gum and alginat ( Glucosahl ) . RESULTS All fiber supplements plus a balanced 1200 kcal diet induced significantly weight reduction more than placebo and diet alone , during a five week observation period . However , there were no significant differences between the different fibers in their ability to induce weight reduction , which was approximately 0.8 kg/week ( 3.8 + /- 0.9 , 4.4 + /- 2.0 , 4.1 + /- 0.6 in the Chrombalance , Appe-Trim and Glucosahl group , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS Glucomannan induced body weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects , whereas the addition of guar gum and alginate did not seem to cause additional loss of weight Background . Few safe and effective dietary supplements are available to promote weight loss . We evaluated the safety and efficacy of glucomannan , a water-soluble fiber supplement , for achieving weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets . Methods . Participants were r and omly assigned to take 1.33 grams of glucomannan or identically looking placebo capsules with 236.6 mL ( 8 ounces ) of water one hour before breakfast , lunch , and dinner for 8 weeks . The primary efficacy outcome was change in body weight after 8 weeks . Other efficacy outcomes were changes in body composition , hunger/fullness , and lipid and glucose concentrations . Safety outcomes included gastrointestinal symptoms/tolerance and serum liver enzymes and creatinine levels . Results . A total of 53 participants ( 18–65 years of age ; BMI 25–35 kg/m2 ) were enrolled and r and omized . The two groups did not differ with respect to baseline characteristics and compliance with the study supplement . At 8 weeks , there was no significant difference between the glucomannan and placebo groups in amount of weight loss ( −.40 ± .06 and −.43 ± .07 , resp . ) or other efficacy outcomes or in any of the safety outcomes . Conclusions . Glucomannan supplements administered over 8 weeks were well tolerated but did not promote weight loss or significantly alter body composition , hunger/fullness , or lipid and glucose parameters . This trial is registered with NCT00613600 Objective A proprietary natural fiber complex ( Litramine IQP G-002AS ) derived from Opuntia ficus-indica , and st and ardized on lipophilic activity , was previously shown in pre clinical and human studies to reduce dietary fat absorption through gastrointestinal ( GI ) fat binding . Here , we investigated the efficacy and safety of IQP G-002AS in body weight reduction . Design and Methods One hundred twenty-five overweight and obese adults participated in the study . Subjects were advised on physical activity , and received nutritional counseling , including hypocaloric diet plans ( 30 % energy from fat and 500 kcal deficit/day ) . After a 2-week placebo run-in phase , subjects were r and omized to receive either 3 g/day of IQP G-002AS ( IQ ) or a placebo . The primary endpoint was change in body weight from baseline ; secondary endpoints included additional obesity measures and safety parameters . Results One hundred twenty-three subjects completed the 12-week treatment phase ( intention-to-treat ( ITT ) population : 30 male and 93 female ; mean BMI : 29.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2 and age : 45.4 ± 11.3 years ) . The mean body weight change from baseline was 3.8 ± 1.8 kg in IQ vs. 1.4 ± 2.6 kg in placebo ( P < 0.001 ) . More IQ subjects lost at least 5 % of their initial body weight compared to placebo ( P = 0.027 ) . Compared with placebo , IQ also showed significantly greater reduction in BMI , body fat composition , and waist circumference . IQ was well tolerated with no adverse reactions reported . Conclusions These results suggest that the natural fiber complex Litramine IQP G-002AS is effective in promoting weight loss OBJECTIVE Inadequate dietary fiber intake is a widely accepted explanation for chronic constipation in children with severe brain damage . The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of glucomannan , a soluble fiber , as a treatment for chronic constipation in these children . STUDY DESIGN Twenty children with severe brain damage and chronic constipation were r and omly assigned to double-blind treatment with either glucomannan ( n = 10 ) or placebo ( n = 10 ) for 12 weeks . Stool habits , total and segmental gastrointestinal transit times , and anorectal motility were evaluated in all children before and after the treatment period . RESULTS Glucomannan significantly increased ( P < .01 ) stool frequency , whereas the effect of placebo was not significant . Laxative or suppository use was significantly reduced ( P < .01 ) by glucomannan but was not affected by placebo .  Clinical scores of stool consistency were significantly improved and episodes of painful defecation per week were significantly reduced by glucomannan ( P < .01 ) but not by placebo . However , neither glucomannan nor placebo had a measurable effect on total and segmental transit times . CONCLUSIONS In neurologically impaired children , glucomannan improves stool frequency but has no effect on colonic motility OBJECTIVE Constipation and encopresis are common problems in children . Still today , the role of fiber in the treatment of chronic constipation in childhood is controversial . The aim of our study was to evaluate whether fiber supplementation is beneficial in the treatment of children with functional constipation with or without encopresis . We used glucomannan as the fiber supplement . METHODS We evaluated the effect of fiber ( glucomannan , a fiber gel polysaccharide from the tubers of the Japanese Konjac plant ) and placebo in children with chronic functional constipation with and without encopresis in a double-blind , r and omized , crossover study . After the initial evaluation , the patients were disimpacted with 1 or 2 phosphate enemas if a rectal impaction was felt during rectal examination . Patients continued with their preevaluation laxative . No enemas were given during each treatment period . Fiber and placebo were given as 100 mg/kg body weight daily ( maximal 5 g/day ) with 50 mL fluid/500 mg for 4 weeks each . Parents were asked to have children sit on the toilet 4 times daily after meals and to keep a stool diary . Age , frequency of bowel movements into the toilet and into the undergarment , presence of abdominal pain , dietary fiber intake , medications , and the presence of an abdominal and /or a rectal fecal mass were recorded on a structured form at the time of recruitment and 4 weeks and 8 weeks later . Children were rated by the physician as successfully treated when they had > or =3 bowel movements/wk and < or = 1 soiling/3 weeks with no abdominal pain in the last 3 weeks of each 4-week treatment period . Parents made a global assessment s to whether they believed that the child was better during the first or second treatment period . RESULTS Forty-six chronically constipated children were recruited into the study , but only 31 children completed the study . These 31 children ( 16 boys and 15 girls ) were 4.5 to 11.7 years of age ( mean : 7 + /- 2 years ) . All children had functional constipation ; in addition , 18 had encopresis when recruited for the study . No significant side effects were reported during each 4-week treatment period . Significantly fewer children complained of abdominal pain and more children were successfully treated while on fiber ( 45 % ) as compared with placebo treatment ( 13 % ) . Parents rated significantly more children ( 68 % ) as being better on  fiber versus 13 % as being better on placebo . The initial fiber intake was low in 22 ( 71 % ) children . There was no difference in the percentage of children with low fiber intake living in the United States ( 70 % ) and Italy ( 71 % ) . Successful treatment ( physician rating ) and improvement ( parent rating ) were independent of low or acceptable initial fiber intake . The duration of chronic constipation ranged from 0.6 to 10 years ( mean : 4.0 + /- 2.5 years ) . Duration of constipation did not predict response to fiber treatment . Children with constipation only were significantly more likely to be treated successfully with fiber ( 69 % ) than those with constipation and encopresis ( 28 % ) . CONCLUSION We found glucomannan to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation with and without encopresis in children . Symptomatic children who were already on laxatives still benefited from the addition of fiber . Therefore , we suggest that we continue with the recommendation to increase the fiber in the diet of constipated children with and without encopresis AIM To assess the efficacy of glucomannan ( GNN ) as the sole treatment for abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders ( FGIDs ) . METHODS We conducted a double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omized trial . Patients were recruited among children referred to the Department of Paediatrics , Medical University of Warsaw . Included in the study were children aged 7 - 17 years with abdominal pain-related FGIDs classified according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria . The children were r and omly assigned to receive GNN , a polysaccharide of 1,4-D-glucose and D-mannose , a soluble fiber from the Japanese Konjac plant , at a dosage of 2.52 g/d ( 1 sachet of 1.26 g 2 times a day ) , or a comparable placebo ( maltodextrin ) at the same dosage . The content of each sachet was dissolved in approximately 125 mL of fluid and was consumed twice daily for 4 wk . RESULTS Of the 89 eligible children , 84 ( 94 % ) completed the study .  " No pain " and " treatment success " ( defined as no pain or a decrease ≥ 2/6 points on the FACES Pain Scale Revised ) were similar in the GNN ( n = 41 ) and placebo ( n = 43 ) groups [ no pain ( 12/41 vs 6/43 , respectively ; RR = 2.1 , 95%CI : 0.87 - 5.07 ) as well as treatment success ( 23/41 vs 20/43 ; RR = 1.2 , 95%CI : 0.79 - 1.83 ) ] . No significant differences between the groups were observed in the secondary outcomes , such as abdominal cramps , abdominal bloating/gassiness , episodes of nausea or vomiting , or a changed in stool consistency . GNN demonstrated no significant influence on the number of children requiring rescue therapy , school absenteeism , or daily activities . CONCLUSION In our setting , GNN , as dosed in this study , was no more effective than the placebo in achieving therapeutic success in the management of FGIDs in children An eight-week double-blind trial was conducted to test purified glucomannan fiber as a food supplement in 20 obese subjects .  Glucomannan fiber ( from konjac root ) or placebo was given in 1-g doses ( two 500 mg capsules ) with 8 oz water , 1 h prior to each of three meals per d. Subjects were instructed not to change their eating or exercise patterns . Results showed a significant mean weight loss ( 5.5 lbs ) using glucomannan over an eight-week period . Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced ( 21.7 and 15.0 mg/dl respectively ) in the glucomannan treated group . No adverse reactions to glucomannan were reported Background The gut microbiota is interlinked with obesity , but direct evidence of effects of its modulation on body fat mass is still scarce . We investigated the possible effects of Bifidobacterium animalisssp . lactis 420 ( B420 ) and the dietary fiber Litesse ® Ultra polydextrose ( LU ) on body fat mass and other obesity-related parameters . Methods 225 healthy volunteers ( healthy , BMI 28–34.9 ) were r and omized into four groups ( 1:1:1:1 ) , using a computer-generated sequence , for 6 months of double-blind , parallel treatment : 1 ) Placebo , microcrystalline cellulose , 12 g/d ; 2 ) LU , 12 g/d ; 3 ) B420 , 1010 CFU/d in microcrystalline cellulose , 12 g/d ; 4 ) LU + B420 , 12 g + 1010 CFU/d . Body composition was monitored with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry , and the primary outcome was relative change in body fat mass , comparing treatment groups to Placebo . Other outcomes included anthropometric measurements , food intake and blood and fecal biomarkers . The study was registered in Clinical trials.gov ( NCT01978691 ) . Findings There were marked differences in the results of the Intention-To-Treat ( ITT ; n = 209 ) and Per Protocol ( PP ; n = 134 ) study population s. The PP analysis included only those participants who completed the intervention with > 80 % product compliance and no antibiotic use . In addition , three participants were excluded from DXA analyses for PP due to a long delay between the end of intervention and the last DXA measurement . There were no significant differences between groups in body fat mass in the ITT population . However , LU + B420 and B420 seemed to improve weight management in the PP population . For relative change in body fat mass , LU + B420 showed a − 4.5 % ( − 1.4 kg , P = 0.02 , N = 37 ) difference to the Placebo group , whereas LU ( + 0.3 % , P = 1.00 , N = 35 ) and B420 ( − 3.0 % , P = 0.28 , N = 24 ) alone had no effect ( overall ANOVA P = 0.095 , Placebo N = 35 ) . A post-hoc factorial analysis was significant for B420 ( − 4.0 % , P = 0.002 vs. Placebo ) . Changes in fat mass were most pronounced in the abdominal region , and were reflected by similar changes in waist circumference . B420 and LU + B420 also significantly reduced energy intake compared to Placebo . Changes in blood zonulin levels and hsCRP were associated with corresponding changes in trunk fat mass in the LU + B420 group and in the overall population . There were no differences between groups in the incidence of adverse events . Discussion This clinical trial demonstrates that a probiotic product with or without dietary fiber controls body fat mass . B420 and LU + B420 also reduced waist circumference and food intake , whereas LU alone had no effect on the measured outcomes SCOPE Studies have suggested that food rich in dietary fiber may facilitate body weight loss , lower total and LDL-cholesterol levels , and reduce body fat . This study examined the effects of soy fiber ( SF ) on body weight , body composition , and blood lipids in overweight and obese participants . METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-nine overweight and obese college adults ( 19 - 39 years of age ) were r and omly assigned to consume control biscuits or biscuits supplemented with SF for their breakfast for 12 wk ( approximately 100 g/day ) . There were significant differences in changes on body weight , BMI , and LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) between the two groups after 12-wk intervention ( p < 0.05 ) . The changes of body weight , BMI , waist circumference , diastolic blood pressure , serum levels of total cholesterol , LDL-C , and glucose , body fat , and trunk fat of participants in SF group were observed significantly after 12 wk . CONCLUSION SF had favorable effects on body weight , BMI , and fasting LDL-C levels in overweight and obese adults . These effects may be beneficial in antiobesity and the improvement of hyperlipidemia and hypertension ( Clinical Trials.gov registration number-NCT01802840 ) Hydroxycitric acid ( HCA ) , the main compound of Garcinia cambogia extract , is a competitive blocker of ATP-citrate-lyase , presenting a potential inhibition of fatty acid bio synthesis . Glucomannan fibers , abundant in Amorphophallus konjac , seem to reduce the absorption kinetics of dietary fat . Therefore , the aim of this double-blind r and omized study was to evaluate the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of st and ardized extracts of G. cambogia ( 52.4 % HCA ) plus A. konjac ( 94.9 % glucomannan ) in the treatment of obesity . Fifty-eight obese subjects ( BMI 30.0 - 39.9 kg/m(2 ) ) were assigned to the  placebo  group ( n = 26 ) or the treatment group ( n = 32 ) ; no dietary restrictions were applied . Over a 12-week period , subjects were given daily doses of either Garcinia ( 2.4 g ) plus Konjac ( 1.5 g ) or placebo prior to their main meals ( 3 times/day ) . Before the start of treatment , and every 4 weeks thereafter , the following were recorded : height , weight , circumferences and body composition , resting energy expenditure ( REE ) , lipid profile and glucose levels . The treatment had no significant effect on anthropometric parameters , REE , triglycerides or glucose levels . However , a significant reduction was observed in total cholesterol ( -32.0 + /- 35.1 mg/dL ) and LDL-c levels ( -28.7 + /- 32.7 mg/dL ) in the treated group , the final levels being significantly lower than those of the placebo group ( p = 0.008 and p = 0.020 , respectively ) . The results obtained suggest that the treatment had a significant hypocholesterolemic effect , without influencing the anthropometric or calorimetric parameters tested Nearly 30 % of the obese patients treated with hypoenergetic diets for weight reduction develop gallstone disease ( GD ) . Until the present time , the use of ursodeoxycholic acid ( UDA ) is the only available therapeutic measure to avoid the development of GD . Dietary fiber induce a bile acid synthesis . A double-blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of rational diet plus UDA vs a rational diet supplemented with Psyllium plantago ( Pp ) for the prevention of GD in obese subjects undergoing a weight-reduction diet . Patients with a body mass index ( BMI = weight in Kg/square height in m ) of 30 Kg/m2 or more and with normal gallbladder and biliary tree ultrasound ( GBUS ) were included .  Weight-reduction diets were individually calculated for each patient according to their energy expenditure ( EE ) . Patients were r and omly and blindly assigned either to group I ( diet + 750 mg UDA + fiber placebo ) or group II ( diet + 15 g Pp+ UDA placebo ) . An anthropometric evaluation was performed to each patient before and after the two-month treatment , as well as resting EE by indirect calorimetry , GBUS and endoscopy for the determination of cholesterol crystals in duodenal bile . Weight reduction was similar in both groups ( group I = 6 + /- 2 Kg vs group II = 6 + /- 3 Kg ) . GD development was observed in one patient of group I ( 5.5 % ) and two patients of group II ( p > 0.05 ) . All patients with GD lost a minimum of 4 Kg during the study period . GD development did not correlate with the presence of crystals in the duodenal bile at the beginning of the study . Our results suggest a beneficial effect of a rational diet with fiber supplementation to prevent GD development in obese patients included in a weight reduction program Background Water-soluble dietary fibers intake may help control blood glucose and body weight . Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether soluble fiber supplementation from psyllium improves glycemic control indicators and body weight in type 2 diabetic patients . Method Forty type 2 diabetes patients , non-smoker , aged > 35 years were stratified to different strata according to sex , age , body mass index ( BMI ) and fasting blood sugar level ( FBS ) and r and omly assigned into two groups ; The intervention group which consists of 20 participants was on soluble fiber ( 10.5 g daily ) , and the control group which consist of 20 participants continued on their regular diet for eight weeks duration . Results After 8 weeks of intervention , soluble fiber supplementation showed significant reduction in the intervention group in BMI ( p < 0.001 ) when compared with the control group . Moreover , water soluble fiber supplementation proven to improve FBS ( 163 to 119 mg/dl ) , HbA1c ( 8.5 to 7.5 % ) , insulin level ( 27.9 to 19.7 μIU/mL ) , C-peptide ( 5.8 to 3.8 ng/ml ) , HOMA.IR ( 11.3 to 5.8 ) and HOMA-β % ( 103 to 141 % ) . Conclusion The reduction in glycemic response was enhanced by combining soluble fiber to the normal diet . Consumption of foods containing moderate amounts of these fibers may improve glucose metabolism and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients .Trial registration Current Controlled Trials PHRC/HC/28/15 OBJECTIVE Cereal fiber intake is linked to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes  in epidemiological observations . The pathogenic background of this phenomenon is unknown . Based on recent findings , we hypothesized that intake of purified insoluble oat fiber may improve whole-body insulin sensitivity . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A r and omized , controlled , single-blind , cross-over study was performed , and 17 overweight or obese subjects with normal glucose metabolism were analyzed . After consumption of nine macronutrient-matched portions of fiber-enriched bread ( white bread enriched with 31.2 g insoluble fiber/day ) or control ( white bread ) over a time period of 72 h , whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp . Energy intake was individually adjusted by providing st and ardized liquid meals . Hydrogen breath tests were performed to control for dietary adherence . RESULTS When analyzing the entire cohort , whole-body glucose disposal was improved after fiber consumption ( M value 6.56 + /- 0.32 vs. 6.07 + /- 0.27 mg . min(-1 ) . kg(-1 ) ; P = 0.043 ) . Thirteen subjects had increased hydrogen breath test concentrations after fiber consumption , indicating probable dietary adherence . Restricting analysis to these subjects , improvements in M value ( 6.85 + /- 0.34 vs. 6.06 + /- 0.32 mg . min(-1 ) . kg(-1 ) ; P = 0.003 ) and insulin sensitivity , expressed as M/I ratio ( M value divided by mean serum insulin at steady state : 3.73 + /- 0.23 vs. 3.21 + /- 0.27 ; P = 0.02 ) , after fiber consumption were more pronounced . Plasma lipids , serum magnesium , ghrelin , and adiponectin concentrations , as well as substrate utilization and body weight , were not significantly changed by fiber intake ( P > 0.15 ) . CONCLUSIONS Increased insoluble dietary fiber intake for 3 days significantly improved whole-body insulin sensitivity . These data suggest a potential mechanism linking cereal fiber intake and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes Dietary fibres are frequently used for the treatment of paediatric obesity . The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of glucomannan in the  child obesity management . This experimental design was double blinded with a block r and omisation , alpha = 0.05 , beta = 0.2 and delta = 50 % . The study involved 60 children under 15 years of age ( mean age 11.2 years , mean overweight 46 % ) , 30 of them under glucomannan treatment ( 1 g twice a day for two months ) and 30 under placebo and the same schedule . The drug and the placebo were indistinguishable both for the family and the physician . During the two months study period the children followed a normocaloric diet evaluated every two weeks by a dietetic record book . At the beginning of the study the drug and the placebo groups were comparable in regards to anthropometric data . At the end , the mean overweight of the drug group was decreased from 49.5 % to 41 % and that of the placebo group from 43.9 % to 41.7 % . Both decreases were significant ( p < 0.01 ) , but no significant difference was observed between the drug and the placebo groups . The only significant difference concerned the lipid metabolism . The children under glucomannan treatment manifested a significant decrease of alpha-lipoprotein and an increase of pre-beta-lipoprotein and triglycerides ; the children under placebo manifested only a decrease of triglycerides and apo beta-lipoprotein . We suggest that this metabolic alteration may derive from a primary decrease of alpha-lipoprotein , most likely because of an inadequate water intake . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS
CONCLUSIONS In otherwise healthy overweight or obese adults , there is some evidence that in the short term GM may help to reduce BW , but not BMI .
OBJECTIVE Glucomannan ( GM ) , a soluble fiber derived from the plant Amorphophallus konjac , is marketed as being helpful in reducing body weight .
However , the data supporting this cl aim are scarce .
The aim of this review was to systematic ally evaluate the effects of GM on body weight ( BW ) and body mass index ( BMI ) in otherwise healthy obese or overweight children and adults .