Supplements Health Benefits of PGX By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Fact checked by Fact checked by Cara Lustik on June 06, 2020 linkedin Cara Lustik is a fact checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Cara Lustik on June 06, 2020 Print Cavan Images/Taxi/Getty Images PGX (PolyGlycopleX) is a proprietary dietary supplement that contains polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate). Typically touted as a natural weight-loss aid, PGX is said to suppress the appetite and reduce food cravings. PGX is also marketed as a fiber-rich supplement that can help with certain health conditions. Widely available for purchase online, PGX is sold in many natural-food stores and in stores that specialize in dietary supplements. In addition to using PGX for weight loss, some consumers take PGX supplements to keep their cholesterol in check. Proponents claim that taking PGX can lower your levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. PGX is also said to fight diabetes by regulating blood-sugar levels and protecting against insulin resistance. 9 Healthy Foods That Help Lower Cholesterol Health Benefits So far, research on the health effects of PGX is limited; there are few of them, and the size of the studies are quite small. However, there's some evidence that PGX may offer some benefits, thanks to its fiber content. Weight Loss PGX may influence certain hormones involved in controlling satiety (the feeling of fullness), according to a 2010 study. For the study, 54 healthy adults took either PGX or a placebo for 21 days. By the study's end, members of the PGX group showed a significantly greater increase in levels of satiety-related hormones. However, the study's authors noted that PGX may have a different effect on overweight people. Diabetes PGX may aid in blood-sugar control (a key element of diabetes management), suggests a 2010 study. In a series of experiments involving 10 participants, researchers found that PGX helped reduce post-meal spikes in blood sugar. A 2011 animal study indicated that PGX showed promise in diabetes management. In tests on diabetic rats, the authors found that eight weeks of treatment with PGX led to a significant reduction in insulin resistance and blood-sugar levels. In addition, PGX appeared to help lower cholesterol levels, body weight, and food intake. Caveats PGX is known to cause a number of minor side effects, including gas, bloating and constipation. Little is known about the safety of long-term use. Keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Caution The safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. A Word From Verywell Due to the lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend PGX for any health purpose. If you're considering using it, talk with your doctor first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Guide to Herbal Supplements for Weight Loss Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Solah VA, Kerr DA, Irawati D, et al. Effect of PolyGlycopleX (PGX) consumption on blood lipid profiles in healthy, low CVD risk overweight adults. Nutrients. 2019;11(4):717. doi:10.3390/nu11040717 Reimer RA, Pelletier X, Carabin IG, et al. Increased plasma PYY levels following supplementation with the functional fiber PolyGlycopleX in healthy adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64(10):1186-1191. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.141 Brand-Miller JC, Atkinson FS, Gahler RJ, Kacinik V, Lyon MR, Wood S. Effects of PGX, a novel functional fibre, on acute and delayed postprandial glycaemia. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64(12):1488-1493. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.199 Grover GJ, Koetzner L, Wicks J, et al. Effects of the soluble fiber complex PolyGlycopleX on glucose homeostasis and body weight in young Zucker diabetic rats. Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:47. doi:10.3389/fphar.2011.00047 Kacinik V, Lyon M, Purnama M, et al. Effect of PGX, a novel functional fibre supplement, on subjective ratings of appetite in overweight and obese women consuming a 3-day structured, low-calorie diet. Nutr Diabetes. 2011;1:e22. doi:10.1038/nutd.2011.18