Plenity:

Plenity™ is an FDA-approved weight management drug. Plenity is made from naturally derived building blocks – cellulose and citric acid. It is taken 20 minutes before lunch and dinner with water to create a feeling of fullness, so you eat less and lose weight that way. 

The active ingredient in Plenity is a cellulose gum, an indigestible dietary fiber. Cellulose gum has been safely used as a food additive worldwide for more than 100 years. It is found in many foods that are part of a healthy diet.

Citric acid occurs naturally in citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons. Citric acid has been safely used as a food additive worldwide for years.

In each plenity capsule, the two ingredients form a three-dimensional hydrogel matrix. Once the capsules reach the stomach, they break apart and release the matrix into the water.

 Each hydrogel cell can hold up to 100 times its weight and grows to fill the space in the stomach and intestines. You feel full and have less room for food, so you are likely to eat less. 

The hydrogel matrix in the Plenity capsule leaves the stomach and dissolves in the intestines. The cells release the absorbed water back into the gastrointestinal tract and leave the body with bowel movements. 

The FDA considers it a “device” rather than a drug. The FDA based its approval of Plenity largely on the results of a 2018 study published in the journal Obesity.

Plenity weight loss mechanism

Plenity capsules are composed of two naturally derived building blocks, which are modified cellulose cross-linked with citric acid. This creates a three-dimensional matrix. Each capsule contains thousands of superabsorbent hydrogel particles. When the capsules are taken orally with a meal, they disintegrate in the stomach, releasing these particles. The individual, non-clumping hydrogel particles take up about a quarter of a person’s stomach volume when fully hydrated. The gel particles mix with the ingested food, creating a larger volume with greater elasticity and viscosity in the stomach and small intestine, promoting satiety and feelings of fullness. 

The gel particles maintain their three-dimensional structure and mechanical properties during transit through the small intestine. Upon arrival in the colon, the hydrogel is partially degraded by enzymes and loses its three-dimensional structure and most of its absorption capacity. The released water is then reabsorbed and the remaining cellulosic material is excreted in the feces.

Thus, the main effect of Plenity is to fill the stomach and reduce the absorption of food and calories. 

It can help you lose weight by eating less and using the extra calories in the body for daily energy needs, thus losing weight.

What are the side effects of Plenity?

The most common side effects of Plenity include digestive problems such as gas, bloating, nausea, constipation, and stomach pain. 

These are usually mild and subside after the first two weeks of use.

It is normal to have abdominal pain or bloating while taking Plenity. Drinking enough water may help relieve these side effects.

Nausea is one of the side effects of Plenity. Some people experience nausea while taking the medication, but this is not the case for everyone.

 About 5% of people taking it may experience mild nausea, which is usually temporary. If you experience severe nausea, or vomiting while taking Plenity, talk to your doctor.

Plenity may cause changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea and constipation. These side effects are usually manageable and usually subside within the first few weeks of Plenity use.

How can you manage its side effects? :

If you suffer from Plenity side effects, you may be eating foods or taking drinks that cause gas or bloating. It is a good idea to keep a record of when symptoms occur and what foods you eat, as certain foods may contribute to bloating. For example, you may have noticed that you burp, or have gas more often when you drink carbonated products. That’s because carbonated drinks that contain caffeine or use artificial sweeteners increase bloating, belching, and gas. Moreover, they can even cause diarrhea.

That means you need to watch your diet to manage the side effects.