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?
Ken says
Hello Joe, My wife has type 2, slightly overweight, and has been looking for the magic pill, or patch for the last 20 years. Today, she saw the commercial for this product, Glucosulin and wow, she got really excited. Exercise is tough for her, only because she has bad knees. Any suggestions? Thanks Ken
Joe says
Shirley, wow! Thats amazing – and shameful – that they would say that. Thanks for sharing !
shirley says
I contacted the company for the Glucosulin. He sure was trying to sell it. I told him I needed to contact my MD for his opinion and with regards to other medications I take, he told me there product would not interfere with ANY of my meds. (He never asked me what my meds were), not that I would have told him.
Be careful any one who is looking to purchase this product.
Best advise is watch your diet, exercise and hearing the words of encouragement from other people who have been there, done that!!!!
jmac says
To anyone considering buying this product, I urge you to search for complaints of deceptive business practices by the company marketing this product. There are many on the internet. Please do your research before purchasing. At least consider protecting your finances by using a burn credit card and not using your regular card.
Joe says
Thanks Kathie, I’ apprecaite you taking the time out to say that 🙂
Kathie A says
After reading your review and trial results of glucomannan (as well as checking for interactions with my meds), I priced the fiber itself. Caps run $3-$10 at stores local to me – where I can return the product or just stop buying it. Thanks again for your review.
Joe says
Wanda, There are many roads to weight loss but it looks like nothing more than a fiber supplement to me.
wanda wills says
will this really help me to lose weight,and how can i get some.
Joe says
Kathleen, Yes I agree that HCG was a waste of time (Ive written 2 reviews on the HCG diet on this site). Are you exercising? Regardless of weight loss exercise will help your type II diabetes. Here is something Ive written about type II diabetes that may help you
http://www.joe-cannon.com/can-type-ii-diabetes-be-cured/
when it comes to weight loss patches I don’t think they are the answer. I wrote a review on the Hoodia Patch
https://supplementclarity.com/hoodia-patch-review/
if that is any indication I think weight loss patches are are a lie and I would not fall for them.
Have you talked to your doctor about all of this? I am sure there are support groups and supervised exercise programs at hospitals or hospital fitness centers that can help you not only lose weight but help control (and cure!) your type II diabetes. It will take time but I really do believe that this is the best way to go.
I hope this helps Kathleen. I a believe in you. I know you can do this!
k1orca says
hey joe,
good article on this. looked it up as i was curious. as a note to wayne – some of us type ii’s, which i am, also don’t have much choice. i have lost weight, exercise, and still take both oral meds and a long-lasting insulin. my doc would prefer i take a short-term insulin as well, but the insulin causes me to gain weight – a not-often spoken about side effect.
anyway, i wish folks needing to lose weight would not go for these pills. not enough research into the ingredients (by anyone wanting to take them) and they are a gimmick….thanks again, Joe.
DaNel says
Please think before taking any pill. Every pill you take is hard on your kidney’s and diabetics have to be concern about their kidney function.
Joe says
DaNel, for inspiration here is an interview I did with a women who had type II diabetes and what she did to fix it
http://www.joe-cannon.com/interview-yolanda-bowles-diabetes-exercise-nutrition-cure-type-ii-diabetes/
Kathleen says
I was wondering if there is a weight loss PATCH that is helpful that anyone knows of. I was looking into Sensa and then Glucosulin. Disappointed with findings for both. I had a very large tumor removed 2 years ago and gained weight at that time and while healing. I am a type II diabetic on insulin and oral meds. Would LOVE to lose weight and keep it off! Tried HCG and that was a mistake. Who wants to STARVE themselves? Anyway…any suggestions?
Joe says
Ellie, thanks much for your kind words. I’m extremely happy that I was able to help you 🙂
EllieCogs says
Your review was informative and easy to understand, thank you. I marked your website as one of my favorites 🙂
doug_eike says
This is an excellent review. The importance of fiber is increasingly evident. Thanks for the information!
Joe says
Srdib, thanks. I’m pleased my words were able to help you 🙂
srdib says
what a great review. losing weight is never easy and you saved me alot of money, thanks very much.
Joe says
Patrick, to order glucosulin you have to contact the glucosuliln company. I am not the glucosulin company. I wrote a popular review on glucosulin but have no affiliation with glucosulin.
patrick says
i want to order glucosulin
Joe says
Wayne, yes I do remember and I still don’t think your older than dirt. My grandmother lived to be 104 and she’d still probably cal you a kid! I do appreciate your words. They speak volumes more than I could ever say.
Thanks
Wayne A. Bottlick says
Joe – Way back when, I wrote to you about Glucosolin, and since then, apparently, a lot of people have followed on. I mentioned I’m older than dirt; I’ve been a “Type I” since 1966. Back then, the only way to test your blood sugar was a lab test that took 3 weeks to come back. The times’, they’ve been a-changin. But in reading thru all of the comments here, I can’t help but notice that the biggest problem the posters here have is their own ignorance of the disease they share. I don’t mean this condescendingly; we all tend to pay little attention to the details, especially when they’re about unfamiliar topics, and let’s face it, endocrinology is NOT a familiar topic.
Overall, I agree with your responses to people; I had a co-worker who was diagnosed with type II, and he came to me and asked what I would do. I told him, “your a dolt if you don’t just lose the weight and learn to eat and exercise properly”; as a type I, I don’t have that option, and I’d have traded with him on the spot. Six months later, he’d lost the weight, needed no meds, and was happy as hell. Your comment about resolve says it all for me. For all of you Type II’s, knuckle under. Learn about your disease and the effects of diet and exercise; then spend a little time learning about the history of type I’s. You’ll realize, you’ve got the better deal. And I wish you all the best, really.
w.
DaNel VenRooy says
Wayne-
I saw the commercial for Glucosulin and wanted to do some research. I just read your comment and had to respond. My mom has been a Type 1 diabetic for 40+ years. My mom gave me the same advice. Almost in your exact words. I would give anything to have the chance to just watch what I eat. Unfortunately, I haven’t listened very well and ashamed of myself. Reading your comment really hit me and made me realize I basically just kicked my mom in the teeth. I am so glad I came across your comment. I am going to make myself and my mom proud. I am going to start taking care of myself.
Joe says
DaNel, Fantastic!!! 🙂