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?
Joe, can you review a product called “Glucator” from a company called Baseline Nutrionals?
I did my own research on this pill before I found your review. And my research agreed with yours. So folks, take his word for the pill. And having written on my blog about a number of these ads, I believe everything the commenters say. At least this company doesn’t throw the ubiquitous ‘a second order for just the processing’ at you. BTW, the processing and shipping is $11.80 per bottle, $21.80 for Canada
After a call to the company the return package was redelivered @ 1:07p on 12/01/2010 and my account canceled.
Call the TV stations which air the commercials and let them know that you are boycotting their programming until they remove those Glucosulin ads.
Rebecca thanks for keeping us posted about your experiences and problems with Glucosulin. Try calling the company again and ask why nobody accepted the glucosulin you tried to return. Hopefully you can get this resolved and yes I agree, there are downsides to shopping online…
Here’s the latest update on my dealings with the company that makes Glucosulin. I called Monday 11/29-2010 to get an RA #(required to return the product). I got the number and shipped the product back on 11/29/2010 with a delivery confirmation request and guess what? The post office attempted delivery 12/01/2010 @ 9:26am, NO ONE ACCEPTED THE PACKAGE. So if the post office is unsuccessful for 15 days the package will be returned to me. How do you like those apples? On-line shopping has its downfalls.
I have been taking this product since Nov 16,2010 and have noticed an actual weight gain of a few pounds. Fortunately I was given the option of canceling any future orders and returning the unused portion with no other cost other than the $11.80 for S & H on the original 2 bottles I received. I intended to take for 2 weeks then return unused portion if I was not satisfied, before I was liable for more money. My two weeks are up on Nov 30
Lakiesha. it would be an interesting experiment to do
Would it just be cheaper and less stressful to just buy the ingredients in this product?
Thanks Suzi. I very much appreciate your feedback!
Excellent review – They have been pushing this stuff on TV non-stop for the last few weeks. Now that I know how they do business – seems like the only thing that is guarenteed to be reduced is your bank account.
Shay. Thanks for sharing your experiences!! If you call your credit card company they can dispute it on your behalf. You can also tell them not to process any other orders from glucosulin.
Fight this. If this has happened to others your credit card company knows about it and should take steps to help you.
Do write back about what happens so you can keep helping others who may be having the same problem.
BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!BUYER BEWARE!!!!!BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!
I ordered what was supposed to be a thirty day trail offer..took it to my Dr. and was told not to use it…I chalked it up to a $49.99 lost..Well how wrong was I when I saw my bank statements…one for $89.99 then another for $99.99…So I called the company to let them know I did not authorize them to take this extra money from my account..the CRS told me they had to review my call and call me back..well i’m still waiting for that call back..and guess what? I recieved another order of the CRAPCOSULIN!!! I called again today and they said my claim was false..That I did aurthorize it and I was not entitled to a refund of the $210.00(s&h included) the company stole from me. I then asked if I could the phone call and was told I ha to call them back cause they had to send an e-mail and blah,blah,bla…I just hate the fact that this company is a big flim/flam..I say keep your money and work with your doctor or better yet take a 30min walk daily and you’ll see how the pounds and the blood sugars change…BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Michelle. Honestly I’m not sure. I don’t remember seeing anything about this when I wrote my glucosulin review but I can’t say for certain. That’s why I recommend you take glucsulin to your doctor and see what he/she says.
Or, print this report up and take it to your doctor. I reviewed each ingredient in glucosulin. That way your doctor can easily look over each ingredient and let you know what they think.
Hope that helps Michelle!
I was wondering about taking this medication and having an underactive tyroid. Will it affect me in any way.
Hi Michelle. good question. Glucosulin as far as I can tell has not been studied for how it works when it’s combined with diabetes medications.
Some of the ingredients in Glucosulin likely would reduce blood sugar. Because some diabetes medications can also reduce blood sugar, in theory there may be an additive effect, resulting in blood sugar going too low.
This is a theoretical possibility that has not been proven (because nobody has tested Glucosulin with diabetes meds that I know if). I thought it was important to mention this theoretical possibility just to be safe. If your medication is working I’d ask why you need Glucosulin?
If you are taking medications for diabetes like metformin, ask your doctor or pharmacist if its OK to also use Glucosulin .
Joe
i was wondering why it says some things interact with metformin medications. is that true. is it ok to be taking other diabetic medications and taking the glucosulin. how long has this medicine been around thank you.
everybodys complaining about can they return the porduct. i have yet to see but one or two people comment on the product itself and if it REALLY WORKS. If it works then we wont need to return because we’ll be chewing them up each and evryday. so lets see some real comments with some real people
What did my momma always say? If it sounds too good to be true . . . it is! I plan on asking my doctor about it. I hate how these companies feel they can take people for their money in the name of a cure!
Marlene. I’d be curious also. Glucosulin has probably not been tested in those with hypothyroidism. I did not see anything in the research that I reviewed. If I uncover anything else I will definitely update this review for you. 🙂