What Is Konjac Extract Powder?

Konjac extract powder, also known as glucomannan, is extracted from the root of the konjac plant. Predominantly grown in India, China, Japan and Korea, glucomannan can be found in most U.S. supplement stores in capsule or powder form. A 60-capsule bottle costs $10 to $14 dollars, depending on the brand. Drugs.com reports some positive indications from "clinical studies of glucomannan in diabetes, cholesterol control and obesity." The supplement has caused a buzz in the natural product community.

Uses

• Glucomannan capsules

  According to the January 15, 2010, issue of "The Journal of Ethnopharmacology," glucomannan is most often used in the United States as a food additive or supplement. WebMD points out that as a supplement, glucomannan absorbs water to form a bulky fiber, treating constipation. When used for cooking, it can be a thickener, gelling agent, film former, emulsifier, stabilizer and soluble fiber source, reports Glucomannan.com, to add density to food or act as a binding agent.

History

• Konjac noodles

  "The Journal of Ethnopharmacology" says Asian countries have been using konjac extract for over 2,000 years to make traditional dishes such as certain noodles and tofu. In China, doctors recommend glucomannan for the treatment of asthma, cough, hernia, breast pain, burns and even skin disorders. When introduced to the United States in the early-1990s, the possible uses on glucomannan packages were trimmed down considerably from those in China, instead listing it mainly as a food additive and dietary supplement.

Benefits

• WebMD says that glucomannan may "slow the absorption of sugar and cholesterol from the gut, helping to control sugar levels in diabetes and reducing cholesterol levels." Drugs.com states that some studies have indicated weight loss benefits to adults taking the supplement, as well as reports of lung cancer tumor reduction in animals.

Dosing

• Drugs.com states that clinical studies use doses of 2g to 13g of glucomannan daily, depending on the health condition being treated. Viable Herbal Solutions recommends that fibers such as konjac extract powder be taken at a different time of day than other medications, as fiber may interfere with medication absorption. When using glucomannan, consumers should read the product labeling for recommended dosage or ask a health care practitioner.

Contraindications

• According to WebMD, glucomannan powder used in foods as a food additive, supplements and glucomannan capsules are likely safe, as they pass through your digestive tract. Drugs.com, however, points out that solid tablets may be unsafe, citing reports of blockages of the throat or intestines caused when the tablets are first ingested and start to expand. Viable Herbal Solutions states that glucomannan should always be taken with adequate amounts of fluid, and recommends against use by people with problems swallowing, esophageal stricture or narrowing or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Warnings

• According to Drugs.com, its hypoglycemic effects make glucomannan potentially dangerous to diabetics. WebMD encourages diabetics to monitor their blood sugar closely when taking konjac extract powder. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take glucomannan, as its safety during gestation and lactation is unknown.