Update 2/18/21 Lipozene is a popular weight loss supplement that's been around for a long time. While it's been several years since I reviewed this fat burner, I recently saw a TV commercial featuring Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, Rodney Peete during an episode of Murdoch Mysteries. Does it really work or is it a scam? Equally important: does it have any side effects? Also, what's up with that other supplement, MetaboUp Plus? In this Lipozene review, I'll help you better understand this supplement by answering 10 critical questions. Does it work? Let's see.
See these reviews too
1 What Is Lipozene
Basically, it's a fiber supplement. The product has only 1 active ingredient. It's called glucomannan, also known as konjac root. Glucomannan is a type of fiber obtained from the konjac plant. The fiber is composed of both glucose and mannose sugars.
We cannot digest glucomannan, so it helps us feel full longer. By tricking us that we are full, it helps us eat fewer calories.
It's a simple approach to weight loss I prefer over other supplements, which usually contain a long and often complicated list of ingredients.
In addition, because we can't digest glucomannan, it also passes into the large intestine, where our gut bacteria use it for energy.
This means konjac fiber is also a prebiotic.
There is some clinical proof for Lipozene too. Let's review that evidence next.
2 Any Lipozene Clinical Research?
Does Lipozene have any clinical research to prove it works? The company website describes the results of an 8-week clinical study where people, using the key ingredient in the supplement lost almost 5 pounds more weight than those who took a placebo. It's also stated 78.8% of this weight was fat.
This sounds pretty good but there are a few things you should know:
1. The study may -or may not – be a peer-reviewed clinical study. No name of the study is provided to look it up for ourselves.
2. The study used glucomannan /Konjac extract, not Lipozene itself. This fact is mentioned on the website.
3. We don't know how many people were in the study. Was it 10 or 110 people? Generally, the more people the better.
3 Konjac Weight Loss Research
Konjac fiber is the active ingredient in Lipozene. On the bottle, they call it Amorphophallus konjac. It's a fiber that expands in size when exposed to liquids. This helps suppress appetite.
Several studies – some dating as far back as the 1980s – have investigated glucomannan as a weight loss aid. Here's a review of the research. Take note of the amount used.
Study
In one such study, researchers gave 83 overweight people either glucomannan or a placebo for 2 months. The dosage used was 3000 mg (3 grams) per day. The results showed people taking the fiber supplement lost more weight than those taking a placebo.
When researchers looked at 14 previous studies involving over 500 people they observed the fiber was effective at helping weight loss as well as lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.
Study
Other researchers have noted when it comes to losing weight, a dosage of 2 grams to 4 grams a day has been successfully used. This is 2000 mg to 4000 mg per day.
Study
Other researchers conducted a study involving 42 men and women which lasted 8 weeks. They were given either glucomannan (3000 mg/day) or a placebo pill. Everybody exercised and watched their eating habits. Those taking glucomannan lost more weight than the people taking the placebo pill. Combining exercise + konjac fiber improved the results even more.
Study
In a review of 6 previous studies, researchers concluded there was indeed some evidence that existed for konjac fiber supplements to be effective for weight loss in healthy overweight people.
Based on the research, the best results seem to occur with about 3000 mg per day. It's probably best to spread this out during the day.
Here is Glucomannan on Amazon
4 Is All The Research Positive?
No. Some studies have noted konjac root (glucomannan) might not work. Here's a summary review of that research.
In an 8 week investigation, researchers gave 53 people either 1.33 grams (about 1300 mg) of glucomannan or a placebo. They noted no differences in weight loss or hunger between the glucomannan and placebo groups.
In a review of 9 different studies, researchers concluded the fiber supplement did not help weight loss more than a placebo.
Any Other Effects?
Besides weight loss, various research studies have noted konjac root supplements might also help:
I think more research is required to verify these effects. Remember, weight loss can also reduce these things too. Might these effects be due to weight loss? It's difficult to say. One odd thing is konjac doesn't seem to reduce blood pressure which would also be expected to be reduced as someone lost weight.
5 Who Makes Lipozene?
The company is called the Obesity Research Institute LLC. That's a pretty snazzy name, except no physical building called “obesity research institute” can be located. The Better Business Bureau lists a PO Box as the address for Obesity Research Institute. The address listed on Lipozene.com is 4910 Longley lane Suite 101, Reno NV 89502. This address corresponds to another company called Innotrac.
Innotrac is a company that helps other companies take orders and send out products to customers. Basically, this is the company that sends you the supplement when you order it. As Bloomberg tells us Ebay Enterprises purchased Innotrac in 2016. Innotrac is now called Radial (Radial.com).
This may seem like a bit of a rabbit hole but it's normal for one company to be bought by a larger company. The Innotrac / Radial company is involved with the selling of many dietary supplements.
6 Does Lipozene Provide An Effective Dosage?
So how much Lipozene works? Each capsule contains 1500 mg of konjac fiber. The recommended dosage is 2 capsules a day, 30 minutes before eating. Taking 2 capsules per day provides 3000 mg of konjac fiber. This is the same dosage several studies have noted may be effective for weight loss.
That's good.
7 Lipozene vs. Glucomannan
Lipozene diet pills contain glucomannan (konjac fiber). While no studies have compared the supplement to konjac fiber to each other both products would be expected to work the same if similar dosages are used. Lipozene contains a dosage similar to that used in several clinical studies.
8 What About MetaboUp Plus?
Most don't need this supplement. MetaboUp Plus is a supplement often sold alongside Lipozene. The MetaboUp Plus supplement is just some vitamins and a little bit of caffeine. There is no good proof MetaboUp Plus enhances the weight loss effects of Lipozene.
See the full Lipozene review for more information.
9 Who Is The TV Doctor?
In TV commercials for this supplement, you see Dr. Julius Woythaler say “I'm very impressed with Rodney's weight loss. His blood pressure and weight loss have really improved.” Dr. Woythaler is a cardiologist.
In the TV commercial, it's stated Rodney Peete had lost over 30 pounds while taking Lipozene. Losing weight often reduces both blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as stress on knees and other joints. So, what the physician says makes sense.
While it's not stated if Rodney watched his diet and exercised when in doubt, assume he did.
10 Any Lipozene Side Effects
This supplement has been around a lot longer than Holly Robinson and Rodney Peete has been on TV advertising it. The longevity of the product may be one of the reasons they decided to align themselves with it. I'm not aware of any serious side effects like liver or kidney problems from this product when it's used as directed.
The supplement does not contain any stimulates like ephedra or caffeine so it won't keep you awake at night. The MetaboUp Plus supplement does have some caffeine so don't take that supplement close to bedtime.
While few side effects would be expected in healthy people, here's a shortlist of things to think about before you try Lipozene:
- Start with less than recommended for the first week to see how you respond
- Don't take if you are pregnant
- For best results, do some exercise, like walking, if you are able
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- In theory, the supplement may lower blood sugar. This may be a problem for diabetics
- Don't take if you have trouble swallowing
Lipozene. 4 bottles. 120 capsules. - At least one report describes choking after taking glucomannan capsules. Be sure to take the supplement with a full glass of water to ensure capsules don't get stuck in the throat.
- As with all supplements, speak to your doctor and pharmacist if you take any medications
So, Does Lipozene Work?
Fiber has no calories and helps fill us up, making us less likely to overeat. So it makes sense that Lipozene would work for some people. The key ingredient in Lipozene has been used in clinical studies. While I have some doubts about the claims of Lipozene weight loss being 78% pure body fat, the fact remains some studies do show konjac fiber (glucomannan) may help some people lose weight.