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1980’s starch blockers were claimed to contain an
enzyme extracted from beans that could block the
digestion of significant amounts of starch. In 1982,
the FDA received more than 100 reports of side
effects including abdominal
pain, diarrhea, vomiting and other adverse
reactions.
The newer generations of
blockers are called Phase2 Blockers and rely on a
higher dosage of an ingredient called Phaselolamin
that goes under the trade name Phase2. It is a
concentrated form of the white kidney bean. This
ingredient is purported to block the action of alpha
amylase, a major enzyme that breaks down starch into
sugars. This allows starch to pass through the body
undigested. Research on starch blockers offers mixed
reviews. The enzymes work in the test tube, but it
may not work in the human body because our bodies
produce more starch digesting enzymes than these
products could possibly block. There are few studies
proving the starch blockers are effective for weight
loss. One published in 1982 in the New England
Journal of Medicine, measured the effectiveness of
blockers, found starch blockers do not inhibit
digestion of and absorption of starch calories in
humans. Another study suggested starch blockers can
cause the loss of copper and zinc, which are
essential minerals in humans. The newer generation
of starch blockers claim they are better than the
previous generation because they are stronger and
are have a higher potency.
I believe that the idea of
starch blockers may sound logical, but their effect
is theoretical. It is impossible to say that the
pills have no effect at all, but the protein in the
pill, or most of it, is itself probably digested
before it can block anything. Another problem is
that the body is likely to produce more alpha
amylase than the pill could block. If you managed to
completely block all digestion of starch you ate,
the bacteria in your intestine would get the sugars
and you would swell up like a balloon from the gas,
and then have diarrhea. These are the major side
effects from the blockers.
Starch blockers are not
regulated. They are not recommended for people with
inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s or Colitis
because the blockers may cause larger quantities of
undigested carbohydrates to pass through the bowels
causing more irritation. Diabetics also should be
very cautious trying starch blockers because
decreasing the absorption of calories from complex
carbohydrates may affect sugar levels. Starch
blockers may give people a false sense of security
that they can eat as much as they want, because they
won’t be getting the calories from the starch.
People will end up over eating and causing more harm
to their bodies. The best and only safe way to
control weight is by lifestyle changes including
diet exercise and individual nutritional counseling.
You must cut down on the volume of food you eat
(only occasional buffet meals), learn proper food
combining and avoid junk food.
On April 1, 2004, the FDA
announced that they had sent warning letters to 16
dietary supplement distributors making false and
misleading claims for weight loss products promoted
over the internet. “Obesity in America is at
epidemic proportions, and we will not tolerate
companies making false claims promising easy fixes.”
The FDA requested a response from the firms in
writing within 15 days of receipt of the warning
letters, stating the action the firms will take to
correct the noted violations and to ensure that
similar violations do not occur in the future. The
FDA announcement reflects its position on their
commitment to:
- Make available more and
better information about foods and dietary
supplements to American consumers so they can
make informed choices about the products they
consume.
- To combat the national
epidemic of obesity, FDA’s 2004 working group
report on obesity, recommends enforcement
actions against weight loss products having
false or misleading claims. These products give
unfounded hope to people who are attempting to
lose weight. “False and misleading claims have
significant health consequences to individuals
that may be overweight because these products do
not produce the desired results.” Products such
as these and other so called weight loss
products don’t encourage activities that will
allow for long lasting weight control and
health. There is no substitute for eating well
and remaining physically active.
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Dr Kenneth Feder. Thank you!
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supplements
is being marketed with the promise that you can eat
all the starch you want and still lose weight.
Products like ultra Carbo Blocker 2000, Carb Cutters
and Sierra Slim, say that now you don’t have to give
up your bread and pasta because the starch blockers
work to block the body’s ability to digest the
starch in rice, potatoes and other high carbohydrate
foods that diets like Atkins and South Beach blame
for weight gain.
