Glucomannan

Glucomannan can help with type 2 diabetes since it is thought to help the body use the body's insulin better. Can cause bloating and gas.

Glucomannan Overview

Reviewed: July 30, 2014
Updated: 

Glucomannan is a plant also known as konjac mannan. Flour extracted from the glucomannan plant is used in medicine and in Eastern cuisine.

Glucomannan is used most often for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Glucomannan is thought to work by changing the rate of absorption of nutrients from the small intestine and causing a feeling of fullness.

Common side effects of glucomannan include bloating, gas, and mild diarrhea.

Glucomannan Cautionary Labels

precautions

Glucomannan is used most often for type 2 diabetes (decreasing insulin resistance and improving carbohydrate metabolism), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and constipation.

Glucomannan has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above glucomannan may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Glucomannan

Common side effects of glucomannan include the following:

  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Mild diarrhea 

This is not a complete list of glucomannan side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Glucomannan Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • Diabetes medications
  • Vitamin A, D, E, or K supplements
  • Any oral medications

This is not a complete list of glucomannan drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Glucomannan Precautions

Special precautions & warnings:

  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using glucomannan if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant.
  • Do not take glucomannan in tablet form due to risk of esophageal obstruction. Glucomannan capsules, however, do not carry this risk because the capsule casing prevents the contents from swelling due to contact with water.