The Lipozene Clinical Studies

I admit that I love to find the holes in TV fitness products. Being a pharmacist and having over 5 years experience with clinical trials, I decided that Lipozene needed some investigating by The FunFit Blog.

Lipozene claims their product:

• helps reduce weight
• helps reduce body fat
• is safe and effective

Let's see if their product lives up to their claims. First, what is in Lipozene and what is this active ingredient that has been studied? According to the Lipozene site, their product contains Amorphophallus konjac. According to the Wikipedia entry on Amorphophallus konjac, "The dried corm of the konjac plant contains around 40% glucomannan". Glucomannan is a fiber supplement. Now we're getting somewhere! I performed a medical literature search for glucomannan and weight loss using the OVID journal database.

I reviewed 6 articles from medical journals on glucomannan and weight loss.

Here's a summary of clinical articles:

• One well-designed, large study with 200 overweight people found NO statistical difference between glucomannan and sugar pill for weight loss.
• A small study with 42 people found that glucomannan statistically improved body fat WHEN both resistance and endurance exercise was added.
• A clinical review article concluded that "Further investigation ....is needed to determine whether glucomannan can help to decrease the high prevalence of overweight and obesity..."
• In a study with 176 people, glucomannan induced a body weight reduction of 1.76 pounds a week WHEN given with a 1,200 kcal diet for 5 weeks
• In a small study with 25 people, glucomannan WITH a low-calorie diet produced more significant weight loss compared to the group on a low calorie diet alone
• In another small study of 20 people, glucomannan produced an average weight loss of 5.5 pounds over an 8-week period.

Now that we know some things about the active ingredient of Lipozene, let's review Lipozene's claims again:

• helps reduce weight - With a consistent low-calorie diet and regular exercise, you MIGHT lose over a pound a week for 5 to 8 weeks
• helps reduce body fat - One small study showed an improvement in body fat WITH exercise.
• is safe and effective - Many of the studies suggest that the Lipozene active ingredient is safe, but NONE of the studies state that it's effective

So to RECAP, for Lipozene

• You need to seriously diet and exercise to see any weight loss
• There's LITTLE scientific evidence that it reduces body fat
• It seems safe but there really isn't any proof that Lipozene is effective

It's strange that the Lipozene commercials NEVER mention that for Lipozene to work you need to diet and exercise. Perhaps this information would be bad for sales?

A few of the journal articles do suggest that Lipozene can lower the bad cholesterol (LDL). But since Lipozene isn't making this claim, I'm not going to address this here.

Should you take Lipozene?

• Any glucomannan product will do. So you can go with the cheapest glucomannan product.
• If you don't plan to diet and exercise, don't bother taking Lipozene.
• If you're serious about weight loss, exercise, and diet, then go for it! It may give you that edge you need.

There is no such thing as a magic weight loss pill. If you're very lucky with Lipozene, you might see about 1.8 pounds of weight loss per week, but the studies only ran for up to 2 months. So there's no scientific proof that Lipozene can help keep the weight off in the long-term. And in the end, isn't that what everyone wants, to keep the weight off in the long-term?

Exercise and diet are very important for weight loss. If you're looking for ideas to help stay fit, read the archives of the FunFit blog.

Have Fun, Be Fit!
"Functional Marc" 

References:

British Journal of Nutrition. 99(6):1380-7, 2008 Jun.
Metabolism: Clinical & Experimental. 56(8):1149-58, 2007 Aug.
Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 11(6):30-4, 2005 Nov-Dec.
Medical Science Monitor. 11(1):PI5-8, 2005 Jan.
Minerva Medica. 83(3):135-9, 1992 Mar.
International Journal of Obesity. 8(4):289-93, 1984.

Comments

[Shelley]

Interesting Marc, and so typical. The diet and weight loss industry is huge, and few people will research like you did before they buy! I love the info on your blog! I'll be back.

Many Blessings,
Shelley
http://www.benaturallywell.com/blog/add-your-blog/
http://www.benaturallywell.com/forums/

[MS. Desperation]

I've had problems with my weight since early childhood, starting at age 9. Several years later the miserable "battle of the bulge" continues. When I eat I never feel full and I'm so desperate to lose weight I started to order this product today but I thought I should do some research first. By the way do you know the name of the "university" that did their "clincal studies" for lipozene? I can't find it. I think you're a GENIUS and thank you for your research efforts. I really appreciate it and taking suggestions on weight loss:) Please help...

[Glucomannan]

Glucomannan:

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber source from the root of the konjac plant.Glucomannan is an excellent addition to a sensible weight loss program. Glucomannan on discount at NutroVita.com.

For more details please visit:
http://www.nutrovita.com/5728/nature-s-way/glucomannan.htm

[cochranruss]

I think natural or herbal weight loss pills are safe too use. They don't have side effect.pills like stratzol burn fat in a natural way.Choosing the right pill is important.

[buy l-arginine plus]

There are hundreds of ways to lose weight quickly, but only one way to lose fat and keep it off in the long term.

[Jennifer Echenique]

I wanted to order Lipozene but then I realized that I needed more information and told the representative to cancel it, she told me that she did. I few days later my credit card was charged and I was furious. The representative stated that she couldn't refund back my money and that the supervisor will give me a call in 48 hrs. I then contacted the Federal Trade Commission office and the Illinois Attorney general office and was told to contact them back and let them know who I had contacted. When I called back they immediately got hold of the supervisor (that was supposedly not there when I first called) and she stated that she will refund my money. She better be right because I'm willing to sue at all costs. They are scammers.

[faheem]

Ok I started taking lipozene and weighted in at 186, after the first week I seemed to gain 20 pounds ( I weigh myself everday).I would eat and then sit down go to sleep or just be lazy. I was taking 1 before the meals 2nd week I started taking 2 30 mins before meals and my weight gain stopped but I was having a lot of gas! Well by the time I only had about 3 left in my bottle I lost about 5 pound, the next day about 7, and the next day which is today I am 8 more which put me back to where I was.. But the only thing I did was stopped sitting around and just got up and stayed busy ( not to mention that alil time ater I take the pills I get very HUNRY.. mind games???? Idk but I was), but it has my wondering if it makes you gain weight and you only lose what you gained because I knw that is not natural to lose that in 3 days but like I said before and now I did become a lil active, Im eating a little less watching what it is that im eating, and even started fitness (2 days now) Since I’ve started on this 2nd bottle I’m going to keep you all posted on if I lose more… p.s NO change in clothes size or major inches lose.. That is why i’m so confused ;/

lipozene does it work http://doeslipozenereallywork.info/

[Samantha]

What a great look into this new diet pill fad, I had my doubts about it immediately and quickly researched enough to know that you`re just adding fibre and you can get twice as many pills for half as much but to hear a range of support from 6 different articles is good enough for me to not buy this product; thanks for the great insight!