Lipozene Claims
Lose Weight Without Changing Your Lifestyle! ACHIEVE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOALS WITH AMERICA’S #1 DIET SUPPLEMENT. Clinically proven to help you lose weight! Still eat your favorite foods. No change in exercise required. [2] (#1 claim as of 4 October 2015)
The company even doubles down the on the claim of efficacy, touting a number of studies that prove it works. Researchers conducted an independent clinical study on the Lipozene diet supplement exclusive formula, and found that not only did the participants lose weight, but 78% of each pound lost was pure body fat! Even more amazing was that study participants were not asked to change their daily lifestyle, meaning they were not asked to change what they ate or how they exercised. [2] Lipozene says its supplements are not only safe and effective, as they claim has been proven, but has no harmful side effects, including the agitation, nervousness or “jitters” one might get with a weight loss supplement containing caffeine and other stimulants. Lipozene is comprised primarily of amorphophallus konjac (Konjac plant, also known as Devil’s Tongue or Voodoo Lily). An article published in the March 2010 Journal of Ethnopharmacology says,
Amorphophallus konjac (konjac) has long been used in China, Japan and South East Asia as a food source and as a traditional medicine. Flour extracted from the corm of this species is used in Far Eastern cuisine to make noodles, tofu and snacks. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a gel prepared from the flour has been used for detoxification, tumour-suppression, blood stasis alleviation and phlegm liquefaction; and for more than 2000 years has been consumed by the indigenous people of China for the treatment of asthma, cough, hernia, breast pain, burns as well as haematological and skin disorders. Over the past two decades, purified konjac flour, commonly known as konjac glucomannan (KGM) has been introduced on a relatively small scale into the United States and Europe, both as a food additive and a dietary supplement. [3]
Lipozene says it is “safe and effective” and “The active ingredient…is found in nature, not in a chemist’s lab—so you can feel good about what you are putting into your body!” (Note this claim has a disclaimer: “Results not typical. Endorser used Lipozene in combination with diet and exercise and was remunerated.”) [2] Lipozene says its blend of amorphophallus konjac makes you feel full:
Lipozene’s incredible fiber has the ability to absorb up to 200 times its own size when in water. Once Lipozene capsules dissolve in the stomach, the Lipozene fiber blend activates in water, and creates a feeling of fullness that lasts for hours.” [4]
So you won’t eat. (You know, I do usually feel full after eating a bowl of noodles.) Lipozene also claims that in addition to weight loss and weight management, you may see “improvements in glucose control, promoting regularity and cholesterol control.” [5] With Lipozene—which you take up to three times per day—you’ll “lose weight and reduce body fat without strict diets or grueling workouts.” [2] Lipozene says it’s sold more than 25 million bottles—and keeps selling them, apparently—so what gives? Does it work? Or do we just hope it works? Lipozene claims that, in a 8-week study, a group of overweight people taking the Lipozene lost almost 5 pounds more than a group not taking Lipozene. Of course, there were no dietary restrictions whatsoever and no exercise; it was a “free living conditions” study trial. Bottom line, in 8 weeks, people taking it lost almost 5 pounds. But the website adds to talk to your doctor first before taking Lipozene and naturally adds the disclaimer required by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The makers of Lipozene 1500 were warned by the FDA about making false claims. Obesity Research Institute settled a $1.5 million Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit in 2005 over false claims it made about other of its weight loss products. And a class-action lawsuit stirred up new debate about whether konja is effective. [6] [7] [8] All that notwithstanding—the legal complaints aren’t about adverse effects; rather about its effectiveness—you want to give it a try? Well, on the website, Lipozene costs $29.95 for two 30-capsule bottles and you can do it as a free trial; if you don’t like it, if it doesn’t work for you, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee (minus shipping and handling). [9]
back to menu ↑Lipozene Ingredients
Proprietary Blend, 1500 mg: Amorphophallus Konjac Lipozene is made from glucomannan, a water-soluble fiber that expands in your stomach. Some studies say glucomannan can alleviate constipation, and weight loss and then may lead to healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It’s from the roots of a tree, and a form of it is also found in conifers (evergreen trees like cedar and fir, pine and spruce). [10] So that it’s a fiber is not a surprise.
back to menu ↑The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Lipozene
So does Lipozene do what it says it does? Among other benefits, does it help you lose weight? The science is mixed at best. One might calculate that there is insufficient “clinically proven” evidence, though there are clinical trials that have found efficacy. So in a strictly technical sense, the use of the word clinical might be a “meh.” Regardless, the FDA hasn’t approved it and reputable scientific journals and sources say it’s ineffective—or, if has any effect, that benefit is minimally significant. [11] [12] And a study—which looks at all the available clinical data to date and draws an overall conclusion—published in the 2013 Journal of Obesity summarizes that
…glucomannan supplements (3.99 g daily) were well tolerated but did not promote weight loss in overweight and moderately obese individuals consuming self-selected diets and maintaining usual physical activity patterns. Other outcomes such as body composition, hunger/fullness, and lipid and glucose parameters also were not significantly altered. These results are inconsistent with the results of previous studies. Given the growing epidemic of obesity, additional studies to assess the safety and efficacy of this widely used alternative weight loss approach are needed. Future trials should evaluate glucomannan using larger numbers of participants, longer study follow-up periods, flexible dosing schedules, and higher dosages and should continue to include diverse populations of overweight and obese individuals. [13] (emphasis added)
So it’s certainly no magic ingredient on its own. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology article cited earlier in this review also admits some evidence—albeit inconclusive—that adding glucomannan to diet “lowers plasma cholesterol, improves carbohydrate metabolism, bowel movement and colonic ecology.” [3] So pretty much what Lipozene claims—except the part about weight loss, which one might extrapolate would come with better carb metabolism, and better “colonic ecology (getting rid of the food waste in your body), and that those things might improve cholesterol levels. One could argue that the ‘claims’ are legit. Or not.
back to menu ↑Word on the Street About Lipozene
With more than 1000 reviews on Amazon, Lipozene has only a 2.5-star average, with about 190 rating it an amazing 5 stars and nearly 500 slamming Lipozene with a dismal, rock-bottom, 1-star rating. [14] “Allison Gutjhar” (2016, 5 stars) is in the former category; she loved Lipozene. She says: “Helped to lose 10lbs in a week. Great buy.” [15] I find this claim of ten-pound weight loss in a week achieved with Lipozene hard to believe. But wait. Allison is not alone. Amazon reviewer “Kathleen Childs” (2016, 5 stars) also lost a lot of weight on Lipozene, she says: “Works for me. I’ve lost almost one hundred pounds and I don’t get hungry.” [16] But the overwhelming and vast majority of the reviews (49 percent) describe Lipozene as ineffective and a “waste of money.” And some of the reviews are brutal: “Scam,” “Lies, all lies,” “Garbage,” and similar superlatives are common. [17] This very recent review from Amazon user “Tranxhdr” (June 2017, 1 star) cautions potential purchasers:
The Bottom Line: Is Lipozene Worth a Try?
Risky. With iffy data and generally horrid reviews, Lipozene scores risky on pretty much every criteria. That said, it’s not a money-sucking MLM or auto-ship scheme, it doesn’t seem to have severe side effects, and it’s not extortionately priced. So it’s not a huge risk to your health or your wallet, but it doesn’t seem to actually do anything for most people. The Chinese and Japanese haven’t been using this root for centuries as a food and medicine for nothing. The medicinal claims I cannot begin to comment on, since I have absolutely no evidence or authority, but here’s the thing: it’s a water-soluble fiber that may keep you feeling full. If it does that, and you eat less and lose a few pounds—and your overall health benefits from the loss of a few pounds—then more power to you. Me, I’ll stick with whole grains and beans and other filling good-for-me foods. And, I’ll use the twenty bucks for two ten-dollar walk-in Pilates classes.
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