Konjac Glucomannan May Help Lower LDL Cholesterol

Approximately 32% of Americans are thought to have high cholesterol, which may lead to an increased risk of heart disease. A recent study suggests that taking a daily supplement of konjac glucomannan may reduce LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 10% and reduce non-HDL cholesterol by 7%.

Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto examined 12 randomized controlled studies, 8 with adult participants and 4 with children.

After examining the data, they determined that taking konjac glucomannan was associated with an average 13.5 mg/dl reduction in LDL cholesterol and 12.4 mg/dl reduction in non-HDL cholesterol. There was no change in apolipoprotein B, which is the main apolipoprotein of LDL cholesterol responsible for transporting cholesterol to tissues.

The study was published online ahead of print on March 29, 2017, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Konjac glucomannan is a sugar derived from the root of the konjac plant. Previous studies suggest that konjac glucomannan may help lower blood sugar levels, help with weight loss, and reduce constipation.

Konjac glucomannan is often used as thickener in foods and can be made into a flour. However, it is best taken in supplement form either as a powder, capsule, or tablet.