Carbohydrate Blockers
Carb blockers, or starch blockers as they are sometimes
called, have really gotten the attention of late, particularly with the low or no carb diets like the Atkins diet
in the news. If these carb blockers really work then you can
eat carbs and still be on a low carb diet. But do they really work?
Do Carbohydrate Blockers or Starch Blockers Actually Work
The majority of carb blockers have as an active ingredient
the extract from kidney beans. The label may say "Phaseolus Vulgaris"; that is
just the botanical name for kidney bean. Different pill makers will have
different additional ingredients, some of these are beneficial in weight loss or
general health, some not so. The way the carb blockers work is that they will
prevent the enzyme alpha-amylase from binding with starches. Alpha-amylase is
produced in the saliva and it breaks down carbs into molecules that your body
can absorb. Carb or starch blockers interrupt this process so that some of the
carbohydrates are not broken down and the carbs can then pass through the body
without being absorbed. Some carb blockers can block as much as 60% of your carb
intake.
Clinical Trails
Some carb blocker pills have clinical trails, some do not.
Much of the research has been done to help diabetes control their blood sugar
levels and insulin response.
In one double-blind study, fifty obese adults were given
either a carb blocker or a placebo shortly before meals. Other than that,
neither group changed their eating or exercise habits at all. The group that
took the carb blocker lost an average of 3.79 pounds after eight weeks, in
comparison to the placebo group, who lost an average of 1.65 pounds in that same
time.
Is a Low Carb Diet Good For You
Carbohydrates are a necessary nutrient for the body. Carbs
are converted into glucose which powers the body. It is much lie the gas in you
car. However, unlike your car, our body is smart. If we take in more carbs than
we need our body stores the excess for later. It is stored as fat. Some fat is
good. Fat helps the body compensate for the peaks and valleys of our nutrient
intake. The trouble is most of use have way too much fat. If we have too much
fat then a lower carb diet would be beneficial.
Are Carb Blockers Safe
The ingredient that blocks the absorption of starch is all
natural. Most people have no side effects at all from carb or starch blockers.
There have been no reported adverse effects in any of the studies that have been
undertaken.
What are some good Carb Blockers
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