WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Maysam Riyadh Mohammed Hussein Alaasam*, Hayder Nadhim Mohsin Al-khayyat, Halaa Shaker Khashan, Mustafa Mohammed Ali Jebur Al-Abedi and Rana Talib Fakher Al-Nafak

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to evaluate whether it is safe and effective to use glucomannan supplements for weight reduction in obese Iraqi adults. Material and methods: In a prospective observational study conducted at Alsader Medical City in AlNajaf / Iraq, 50 participants with a BMI over 30 kg/m2 were enrolled. Participants were predominately female. Age, Weight, BMI, waist, and hip circumference were recorded before the start of the study and either 4 or 8 weeks later.in addition to physical examination, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, liver, and renal function parameters all were taken at baseline and 4,8 weeks later. During the study period, the participants were instructed to take 1 gm of glucomannan 1 hour before each meal. Results: There was no significant difference in mean Weight at baseline, which was 84.36 kg; at week 4, 84.21 kg, and week 8, 84.27 kg (p-value 0.36). The mean waist circumference at the bassline was 98.36 cm, 98.30 cm at week 4, and 98.32 cm at week 8, showing no significant difference p value 0.7. The mean total cholesterol was 198.45 mg/dl at baseline, 193.34 mg/dl at week 4, and 191.4 mg/dl, with a significant difference, p-value 0.0001. There was a significant difference in the mean of LDL cholesterol at eight weeks: the mean at baseline was 127.34mg/dl, 125.27 mg/dl at week 4, and 122.23 mg/dl at week 8, p-value 0.0001. There were no severe side effects. Twenty-three participants had mild gastric discomfort, 12 had bloating, and 17 had diarrhea for a few days throughout the study period. Conclusion: Glucomannan supplements administered over eight weeks were safe and effective in reducing serum cholesterol and LDL levels but did not significantly change weight, waist circumference, triglyceride, or fasting blood glucose.