Weight loss product: Carbohydrate blockers

For some time now it has been clear that it is not the fat in our meals that is primarily responsible for the high percentage of overweight people, but the carbohydrates. In particular, the consumption of refined products such as white flour, desserts, sweetened drinks, etc., which result in a high insulin release, has been identified as the main cause of the increasing number of overweight people. Wouldn't it be great if you could swallow a pill that would prevent or at least reduce the absorption of carbohydrates? Eat as much chocolate, cakes, biscuits, bread and noodles as you want without an ounce of extra weight on your hips?

Various candies in a pile

How carbohydrate blockers work

The idea is great, of course, but does it work? Carbohydrate blockers are designed to prevent the body from absorbing carbohydrates. For example, one brand advertises its carbohydrate blocker with the claim, "Reduces calorie intake from carbohydrates by up to 66 percent." In addition, they are supposed to avoid the hunger attacks brought on by high insulin levels.

Active ingredient of carbohydrate blockers

The major carbohydrate blockers on the market contain the same dietary fiber complex of white beans. The supplement is said to block the activity of the digestive enzyme alpha-amylase and to reduce total carbohydrate intake from an average meal by up to 25 percent. This should result in fewer calories being available to the human body and thereby helping to reduce weight. The reduced intake of dietary carbohydrates should lower blood sugar levels and reduce insulin secretion. This, in turn, should help to reduce appetite and support weight control.

Effect of carbohydrate blockers

Although pilot studies are available, it is not certain whether these supplements actually contributed to weight loss. The description of the efficacy in the study refers to a standard meal of 600 calories, or about 1,800 calories per day. If one assumes an average calorie consumption for a middle-aged woman of 2,300 calories per day, weight loss occurs even without a carbohydrate blocker.

Conclusion

Studies do not show sufficient efficacy. In individual cases, however, it is possible to try to alleviate existing food cravings -- especially for sweets -- by using carbohydrate blockers.

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