|
|
|
totalhealth editors
Carbohydrate Control
Could Be Helpful in Curbing the Obesity Epidemic
A recent development in our battle
against obesity is a starch neutralizer
called Phase 2®, recently available in a
variety of weight loss supplements. The
starch neutralizer, a concentrated extract
of the white kidney bean, represents an
ingredient category that may combat our
increased consumption and craving of
complex carbohydrates.
Phase 2 is an alpha amylase inhibitor.
In other words, it works to inhibit the
action of alpha amylase—the enzyme
that helps turn starch to sugar. Sugars
are either burned up by the body or
stored as fat. Scientists discovered amylase
inhibitors when they observed that
bugs that used alpha amylase to break
down plants for food were unsuccessful
with certain plants, such as the white
kidney bean.
As in any diet regimen, there is no
magic bullet. However, for those who
have tried exercise and diet, but can’t
give up their carbs, Phase 2 may help
them shed some of those unwanted
pounds.
For example, a double-blind, placebocontrolled,
research study that showed
patients who took the ingredient Phase
2, lost nearly a half pound per week (3.8
pounds over eight weeks) on average, or
better than 200 percent more than those
on placebo. Patients on the starch neutralizer
also lost 1.5 inches around their
waists, on average, or 43 percent more
than those on placebo. Even though
these results did not reach statistical
significance, this remains an exciting
preliminary study that is being followed
up by other research which is currently
underway.
In addition, the university of Scranton
recently presented the results of a
double-blind, placebo-controlled, human
cross-over study showing “that starch
absorption averaged 66 percent lower in
the group taking Phase 2, compared to
the group on placebo.”
Researcher, Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D. said,
“The data indicates that very little of the
glucose from the starch in the bread was
absorbed when co-ingested with Phase
2, and the glucose was cleared more
rapidly.”
These results are encouraging and
look very promising. Phase 2 may assist
in fighting the obesity epidemic by reducing
the amount of carbohydrate calories
which are absorbed. Phase 2 Starch
Neutralizer can be found in Carb Intercept
and Stenderite from Natrol and
other fine products.
|
|
