Supplements Print 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 policy Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD on August 05, 2016 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywell's Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Richard Fogoros, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 Cavan Images/Taxi/Getty Images More in Weight Loss Supplements Basics Procedures Nutrition for Weight Loss Exercise for Weight Loss Diet Plans Medications 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. Uses 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 Options That You Can Eat to Help Lower Cholesterol Health Benefits So far, research on the health effects of PGX is limited. However, there's some evidence that PGX may offer some benefits. Here's a look at key findings from the available studies: 1) Weight Loss PGX may influence certain hormones involved in controlling satiety (the feeling of fullness), according to a 2010 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 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 (compared to members of the placebo group). However, the study's authors noted that PGX may have a different effect on overweight people. 2) Diabetes PGX may aid in blood-sugar control (a key element of diabetes management), suggests a 2010 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In a series of experiments involving 10 participants, researchers found that PGX helped reduce post-meal spikes in blood sugar. A 2011 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology 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. Where to Find It Widely available for purchase online, PGX is sold in many natural-food stores and in stores that specialize in dietary supplements. Using PGX for Health 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 policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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 Dec;64(12):1488-93. Epub 2010 Oct 6. Carabin IG, Lyon MR, Wood S, Pelletier X, Donazzolo Y, Burdock GA. "Supplementation of the Diet With the Functional Fiber Polyglycoplex Is Well Tolerated by Healthy Subjects in a Clinical Trial." Nutr J. 2009 Feb 5;8:9. Grover GJ, Koetzner L, Wicks J, Gahler RJ, Lyon MR, Reimer RA, Wood S. "Effects of the Soluble Fiber Complex PolyGlycopleX on Glucose Homeostasis and Body Weight in Young Zucker Diabetic Rats." Front Pharmacol. 2011;2:47. Reimer RA, Pelletier X, Carabin IG, Lyon M, Gahler R, Parnell JA, Wood S. "Increased Plasma PYY Levels Following Supplementation With the Functional Fiber PolyGlycopleX in Healthy Adults." Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Oct;64(10):1186-91.