Glucosulin sounds like a diabetes drug but it’s really a weight loss supplement. According to the products website, Glucosulin works by reducing how much you eat as well as slowing the absorption of sugar (glucose) into the blood stream. Sounds interesting but does it work? What I want to do is review the research on the ingredients in Glucosulin and see what we can discover.
Glucosulin research
From what I can gather from the product website – glucosulin.com – the supplement itself appears to have no published peer reviewed research. I say this because the website shows no research on glucusulin itself. Also, when I searched the National Library of Medicine for “Glucosulin” no relevant studies showed up either. Therefore, the only way to understand this product is to look at the research on its ingredients.
Glucosulin Ingredients
- Glucomannan (Konjac Root)
- Sodium Alginate
- Xanthum Gum
- Mulberry Extract
- Gymnema Slyvestre
- Chromium Picolinate
Let’s now review the evidence for each ingredient.
Glucomannan
This is a type of fiber. One of the ways that fiber helps weight loss is by making people feel full. Glucomannan does this also by expanding in size greatly when it comes in contact with water. In this way, glucomannan stretches the stomach, making you feel like you are full. Because of this property, glucomannan tablets should be used with caution because there are several cases where glucomannan tablets swelled in size while in the esophagus.
Glucomannan capsules may have a reduced chance of this happening but to be safe put one in water to see how fast it expands in size. Here is a product that is a glucomannan powder that people can mix with liquids.
There are also a few studies on glucomannan helping weight loss and this is likely one of the main reasons it's included in this product.
While not all studies show glucomannan effective for weight loss, the logic is sound: trick the brain into thinking the stomach is full and people eat less.
Other research suggests that glucomannan can modestly reduce cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and lower blood sugar in diabetics.
Diabetics should remember that glucomannan may interact with their diabetes drugs so run this by your doctor if your a diabetic.
Sodium Alginate (also called Align)
This is derived from seaweed and is an additive used to make foods thicker. Because it is thought to be indigestible, it makes sense that it would be used in a weight loss product. In other words, like glucomannan, it takes up space in the stomach without giving any nutritional calories. Also like glucomannan, Align may also modestly lower cholesterol in some people. I could not locate any published peer reviewed studies that sodium alginate helps weight loss in humans.
Xanthum Gum
This is another type of food additive frequently showing up in salad dressings and ice cream. It is also sometimes used as a laxative. Xanthum gum also has a blood sugar lowering effect and as such may interact with medications for diabetes. There are no published peer reviewed studies that xanthum gum helps weight loss.
Because xanthum gum can be derived from several foods including wheat, soy or corn, those who are sensitive to these foods should contact the company first to determine where their xanthum gum comes from.
Mulberry Extract
is also used as a laxative due to its fiber content. In theory mulberry may lower blood sugar levels and/or interact with diabetic medications. There are no published peer reviewed studies on mulberry helping weight loss.
Gymnema Slyvestre
This ingredient also may lower blood sugar levels and interact with diabetic medications. There is no published peer reviewed research on gymnema slyestre helping weight loss.
Chromium Picolinate
Chromium frequently shows up in weight loss supplements despite a deluge of evidence that it does not work. Because chromium does appear to have a blood sugar lowering effect, it also sometimes is marketed to those with type II diabetes. For more info, also see my review of chromium.
As with other ingredients mentioned, chromium can interact with diabetic medications including insulin and oral medications like glucophage (metformin) .
Glucosulin Weight Loss Summary
Ingredients that may help weight loss
- Glucomannan (Konjac Root)
- Sodium Alginate (in theory)
Ingredients that lower blood sugar
- Glucomannan (Konjac Root)
- Xanthum Gum
- Mulberry Extract 30:1 Ratio
- Gymnema Slyvestre
- Chromium Picolinate
Of all the ingredients in Glucosulin most of the weight loss research is on only one substance – glucomannan. Here is glucomann on Amazon for those who want to compare prices.
Because of a possible significant blood sugar lowering effect (in diabetics especially), I honestly do not like the name, Glucosulin. It sounds like a diabetes drug (which it is not!). The product appears to be at least partially based on the idea that lowering blood sugar causes weight loss – which is not true. Reducing calories causes weight loss. Because of this fact, I come to the conclusion that it is Glucomannan (Konjac Root) that is the active ingredient in Glucosulin.
Who makes Glucosulin?
The product website – Glucosulin.com – does not readily list any company name or contact email or phone number that I can locate by looking at the main page. Upon looking at the bottom of the page, at the “Terms and Conditions” page, I see a reference to “Health Resource.” I assume this may be the company in charge of Glucosulin? According to the Better Business Bureau File Health Research is located at 650 N Rose Dr #136, Placentia, CA 92870. If you Google this address, you'll see it appears to be a shopping center. I dont think this is where they make Glucosulin. The BBB file givies Glucusulin a rating of “F” as of 4/20/14. Check the file for updates as ratings sometimes change quickly.
At the Terms and Conditions page I also found a customer support number of 888-237-7172. Interestingly, when I called this number, the person answered “Colon Flow” another supplement that I have reviewed previously.
The customer service person I spoke with told me that Natural Health Network LLC is the company behind Glucosulin. This company is located at 2500 E Imperial Hwy Ste 201-273, Brea, CA 92821. According to the Google link, this appears to be some type of shopping center . Notice that this is a different address than the BBB listed.
How to contact Glucosulin
In the Terms and Conditions page of Glucosulin.com, they list a customer service number of 888 237 7172. The Better Business Bureau also lists 800 252 3314 as a contact number.
Will Glucosulin Work?
Fiber can help people lose weight. Because glucosulin has glucomannan which is a fiber, it makes sense that this product may work for some people. But will glucamannan work better than other fibers – like those in fruits and vegetables? That is the question people should ask themselves.
Here is Glucosulin and glucomannan powder on Amazon for those who want to compare prices. There are also glucomman capsules for those who don't like the powders.
Buyer Beware
A one month supply of Glucosulin costs about $50 according to the product website. That is a lot of money for a fiber supplement. Compare that to glucoamman which I feel is the active ingredient in tis product. There is a “free 30 trial” available on the Glucosulin website but, if you choose this option, you will automatically be sent a new 60 day supply every 60 days at a cost of $39.98 per bottle. In addition, your credit card will also be charged $ 7.80 for shipping and handling. Also this option does not allow you to return the product if you do not like it. These terms are stated clearly on the Glucosulin website. Here is Glucosulin on Amazon for those who want to compare prices and dont want to deal with the auto-ship program.
What do you think?
I would like to know how does it interact with hypo thyroid? appreciate any information. thanks!
Just like other As Seen On TV products, do you know if this has made it to any store shelves yet or if it ever will? I would rather take the chance in the store on 1 bottle than 3 bottles on my credit card.
If this product makes you full and you eat less, if you are on insulin then it might give you a low suger. Depending on how much insulin you take this could lead to a diabetic coma, I would be afraid to use it.
Glad I could help you Sheri. If you have questions about other products let me know. I’m always looking for new supplements to review 🙂
Thanks for the information on this. I wondered if it was a scam. I’m always tempted to try these things and have the same problems with being charged for more than I want. (Like Faye Perry) Sorry for your trouble; I’ve had the same things happen to me with other products.
Thanks. I really appreciate you saying that 🙂
Joe, thanks for your objective reviews. This shows the lack of valid peer review studies for many of the supplements that these companies are trying to claim cure diseases, such as controlling blood sugar (diabetes). Any supplement should require the company to demonstrate it is safe and effective prior to being sold.
Faye. You didn’t see MY advertisement for glucosulin. I am not the maker or seller of glucosulin. I just did a review of the product. If you read my review you will see I told you about the “free 30 day trial” and how it could be expensive in the end. Hopefully by calling Glucosulin customer service company you were able to avoid problems with your credit card being charged
Now you just prove how yall stand up for yall product. By deleting my comments tells me this product isnt worth it.
If this product is good as you say. Then why dont you send me the free bottle first and let me try it. If it works then I’ll order for more and pay for it. If it dont work ….then I wont have to go thru the hassle of trying to canceling it. Less paper work or button pushing you’ll have too do. Dont give me money back guarantee if it dont work. Just let my try the product before I give you my info. You would get more people buying it from that way. Cause you be standing behind your guarantee that the product work. If you cant do that, then it means your product aint worth it.
I was told when I ordered the trial order that they would send me a 30 day supply, which I believed to be 1 bottle. I did not check the package and there was 2 bottles. I was told that if I did not return the unused or empty bottle within 30 days I would be charged thirty something dollars for the 30 day supply. I did not send them the bottles but yet they charged me $99 for the 30 day supply.
If you refer to their website a 30 day supply if taken (copied from their FAQ on website)2 capsules equal one dose. There are 45 doses in one bottle. When taking 2 capsules daily (one dose) one bottle lasts 45 days. When taking 4 capsules daily (two doses), one bottle lasts 22.5 days. When taking taking 6 capsules daily (3 doses), one bottle lasts 15 days. Refer to the picture taken from their website stating that a 1 month supply is 1 bottle, but they shipped 2.
I believe this to be a scam as they are prescribing how much I am to take and not being upfront as to how many bottles will be sent or I would have canceled before trying product. I would not pay that much per bottle for any supplement.
When I called to resolve the issue the Lady would not listen she would just repeat what the paperwork in the envelope stated (not what was told to me over the phone). I assumed that the package contained a packing slip not a statement stating that I would be charged more than quoted over the phone.
I have been in business for over 25 years and this is not a ethical business practice and I believe that companies such as this should be held accountable for their deceptive practices.
(AFTER READING THIS, I’VE DONE ANSWERED MY QUESTION. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME REPLYING BACK. I WON’T WAIST MY TIME ODERING THIS PRODUCT. OUTHA BE ASHAME TAKING PEOPLES MONEY. THERE’S ONLY ONE PLACE FOR PEOPLE LIKE THIS AND GOD WILL SEE TO IT THAT THEY BE PUT THERE!!!)
My brother saw your advertisment on tv and told me about it. My question to you would be. After the 30 day trial, if it doesnt work for us, am I gonna have a hard time canceling it before the next shipment gets shipped out? I’ve been caught up in schemes before and had to go thru changing my bank account info cause there was no way to stop the withdrawals from my account. I definitely dont want to go thru that again.
Glinda several of of the ingredients in glucosulin appear to lower blood sugar. In theory this means that they would add to the blood sugar lowering effect of insulin. This can be dangerous for diabetics if blood sugar goes to low. Glucosulin is not a substitute for insulin. Glucosulin is not insulin and should not replace insulin. Glinda if you are a diabetic I want to you to speak to your doctor before using glucosulin. Print up my review and show it to your doctor and she/he can give you much better advice.
How does it interact with insulin? Will it cause the blood sugar to go lower quicker along with insulin, or will it cause the insulin to be non-effective?
Hi Wendellyn while I am not a doctor I think this might be a possibility. I do think you talk to your doctor before using glucosulin. I dont know if the product or its ingredients has been studied in those with lap bands. I did not see any research when I did my glucosulin review. After you speak with your lap-band doctor, I would appreciate it if you comment about what your doctor said about glucosulin.
I have a lap-band and was considering using this product. However, since it expands so quickly I’m afraid it would get stuck in the upper portion of my stomach and cause damage. Is that a possibility?
Thanks for taking the time to consider my question.
Marissa. Its possible that your weight loss caused your reduction in blood pressure. Even modest weight loss can cause this. I’m glad your BP is down regardless 🙂
Its been around 146/94 give or take, and now its around 118/72.
Marissa What was your blood pressure before using Glucosulin and what is it now? I’m glad it is helping you.
I have been using this product for three weeks without changing my daily routine and have lost 8 lbs. Also my blood pressure has gone down to normal wether from the pills or the weight loss, I’m not sure. But overall I am satisfied with the product.