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Propolene & Weight Loss

Propolene is a weight-loss supplement developed by the company Obesity Research. Named after a trademarked fiber named Propol, Obesity Research claims that Propolene works by binding to the fat that you consume so the fat is prevented from being digested. The company claims the binding process causes an increased feeling of fullness, which leads to less eating.

  1. Ingredients

    • Propolene is composed of Propol, which Obesity Research claims to be 100 percent dietary fiber. The active ingredient of Propol is glucomannan, which is found in and extracted from the konjac root.

    History

    • Propol first become of interest in the west in 1984 after a study dealt with the effects of glucomannan in controlling cholesterol. The study from 1984, aside from concluding that glucomannan was effective in lowering cholesterol, noted weight reduction in the people involved in the study. Previously, the konjac root that glucomannan is derived from has been used in Japan to make low-caloric Japanese shirataki noodles.

    Function

    • Glucomannan is classified as a super-soluble polysaccharide. A single gram can absorb as much as 200ml of water. While Obesity Research claims that Glucomannan binds to fat molecules preventing them from being absorbed by the body. In reality, glucomannan swells in the presence of liquids and hinders absorption of all nutrients as they pass through the intestines.

    Effects

    • Obesity Research does not list any side effects for the use of Propolene. WebMd mentions that glucomannan, the active ingredient in Propolene, has been banned in several countries because of a high incidence of gastrointestinal obstruction. Australia has banned the product because of the danger of suffocation from the drug swelling in the esophagus. WebMd also states that caution should be used if a person has diabetes.

    Considerations

    • Propolene has not been subjected to many studies in the United States, nor has the FDA approved Propolene. However, a study conducted in 2008 on the effects of glucomannan in aiding in weight loss indicates that it is useful in controlling cholesterol but not in promoting weight loss.

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