Page 26 - Ultimate Fibre Plus Monograph

TOXICOLOGY

Toxicity for glucomannan derived from Amorphophallus Konjac Tuberculum has not been documented in humans
when administered orally in therapeutic doses.

However, some people taking glucomannan complain of excess gas, stomach distension, or mild diarrhea. These
symptoms usually abate within a couple of days of treatment or with a reduction of the dosage. In a few cases,
glucomannan tablets have caused obstruction of the esophagus when they expanded before reaching the stomach
(Gaudry, 1985; Henry et al., 1986; Vanderbeek et al., 2007).

DRUG INTERACTIONS Validated interactions studies do not exist for glucomannan derived from Amorphophallus

Konjac Tuberculum. Clinical interactions with other drugs have not been reported.

However, caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar as
glucomannan reduces blood sugar levels.

Linum usitatissimum (Flax) [Seed & Husk]

Linum usitatissimum (flax) is one of the oldest cultivated crops (Goyal et al., 2014; Shim et
al., 2014). In Ayurvedic medicinal system, Semen Lini (flax seed) is used for skin conditions
and has properties like Madhura (balances the skin pH), Picchaila (lubricous), Balya (improves
tensile strength or elasticity of the skin), Grahi (improves moisture holding capacity of skin),
Tvagdoshahrit (removes skin blemishes), Vranahrit (wound healing), and useful in Vata disorders
of the skin including dryness and lack of luster/glow (Misra, 1963).

Semen Lini has an average of 28% total dietary fibre of which 10.22% is soluble fibre and 30.41%
insoluble fibre (Shim et al., 2014). The major insoluble fibre fraction consists of cellulose and
lignin, and the soluble fibre fractions are the mucilage gums which are hydrophilic (Goyal et
al., 2014). The viscosity is maximum at a pH range 6.0-8.0 (Mazza & Biliaderis, 1989), the pH
environment in human intestines.

Multiple clinical dietary intervention trials report that consuming Semen Lini daily can
modestly reduce circulating total cholesterol by 6%-11% and LDL cholesterol by 9%-18% in
normolipemic humans and by 5%-17% for total cholesterol and 4%-10% for LDL cholesterol in
hypercholesterolemic patients, as well as lower various markers associated with atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease in humans (Bassett et al., 2009).

In a double-blind randomized crossover study with seventeen subjects, administration of
Lini Seminis Tegumentum (Flaxseed husk) decreased plasma total and LDL cholesterol and
increased fat excretion (Kristensen et al., 2012). In a study with sixty patients of type 2 diabetes,
incorporating Semen Lini gum from Lini Seminis Tegumentum, decreased blood glucose levels
and lowered LDL cholesterol (Thakur et al., 2009). In two single-blinded randomized crossover
acute studies with twenty-four and twenty subjects, respectively, supplementation with Lini
Seminis Tegumentum suppressed appetite and energy intake (Ibrügger et al., 2012). In a double-
blind randomized crossover study with eighteen young men, Lini Seminis Tegumentum enriched
meals suppressed postprandial lipemia and appetite (Kristensen et al., 2013). Water-binding
capacity of flaxseed insoluble fibre increases the intestinal bulk which is useful in the treatment
of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease (Kajla et al., 2015). In a study
with twenty-six subjects, supplementation with Lini Seminis Tegumentum, promoted laxation by
increasing fecal weight (Dahl et al., 2005).

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