The best carb blockers contain a plant chemical called phaseolamin; a bioactive substance found in Phaseolus vulgaris leguminous plants.
This carb-blocking ingredient is sometimes referred to as White Kidney Bean extract or as the proprietary Phase 2 Carb Controller. It is the most researched of the carbohydrate-inhibiting supplements on the market.
People use carb blockers with phaseolamin to help them lose weight, manage healthy weight levels and reduce risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. These supplements can support weight loss goals by blocking the digestion of some of the sugars from carbohydrate-rich foods.
Carb blocking supplements may also contain additional ingredients, such as Garcinia Cambogia, Chromium Picolinate, Cinnamon, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Parsley and Soybean extract.



- Helps reduce the absoprtion of carbohydrates
- Suppresses the appetite & feel full
- May promote weight loss in a healthy diet
Phase 2 Carb Blockers
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The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that there are currently 294 products available that contain Phaseolus vulgaris extracts. Of these, supplements that contain Phase 2 extract are the best-selling.
Phase 2 carb blockers contain phaseolamin extracts sourced only from white kidney bean pods. Most clinical studies exploring the effects of carb blockers have used Phase 2 products.
This supplement is considered to be very safe, with a low risk of side effects. It has also been found effective for weight reduction, controlling waist size, improving cholesterol and boosting insulin sensitivity.
Many other carb blocking supplements use a generic form of this extract, referred to as White Kidney Bean extract. There have not been comparative studies to determine the efficacy of the branded Phase 2 Carb Blocking supplements and generic White Kidney Bean supplements.
However, there may be greater product quality variation when using generic version, as opposed to the standardized proprietary form.
For this reason, it is important to only buy carb blocker supplements from companies that manufacture under cGMP standard and perform ingredient testing.
Carb Blocker Benefits
According to Nutrilite, their Carb Blocker supplement, “May help prevent up to 500 calories from being absorbed when taken with a high-carbohydrate meal.”
The manufacturers also claim that their supplement helps to inhibit carbs, without depriving the body of necessary vitamins and minerals found in food. Their Carb Blocker formula is also said to help prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal.
How exactly do carb blockers work and what are the potential weight loss benefits?
Carb blockers that contain Phaseolamin work by inhibiting the actions of a digestive enzyme called alpha amylase.
Alpha amylase is the most common digestive enzyme in humans. It acts by breaking down alpha bonds in certain carbohydrates called polysaccharides.
As alpha amylase breaks down the bonds that hold these long polysaccharides together, they are reduced into simpler carbohydrates called oligosaccharides.
Afterward, the oligosaccharides are broken down further into simple sugars, like glucose. These are then used either for energy right away, or they get converted and stored away for later use in fat storage centers called adipocytes.
The best carb blockers contain phaseolamin which is a natural alpha amylase inhibitor. Slowing the actions of alpha amylase allows for some ingested long-chain carbohydrates to pass through the digestive tract without being broken down.
They exit the body without metabolic disassembly, causing no increase in caloric intake.
People use carb blockers to help them reach healthy weight levels, and then maintain those weights. Many users report eating less and feeling fuller after eating. They say it takes less food to satiate them.
In effect, they are eating less, less often – and some of the calories they ingest are not accumulated metabolically.
Best Carb Blockers for Weight Loss Results
Research suggests that taking three 1000 mg doses of Phase 2 daily for 60 days reduces weight and waist circumference.
Obese patients who received Phase 2 in these amounts lost 1.9 kg (4.19 pounds) of body weight relative to a .4 kg (.89 pounds) average weight loss in obese placebo patients.
Preliminary research suggests that taking a single 800 mg tablet of a carb blocker called Blokcal D106B increases weight loss relative to placebo controls.
This Blokcal product contains 445 mg of Phase 2 phaseolamin, as well as elemental chromium. In one 30-day trial, treatment group patients lost an average of 6.6 pounds compared to an average weight loss in controls of 0.8 pounds.
In a different human study, another Phase 2 product called Suco-Bloc was used. Each Suco-Bloc tablet contains 200 mg phaseolamin, 200 mg chicory root and 50 mg garcinia extract.
Two Suco-Bloc tablets daily over 12 weeks seemed to reduce body weight by 3.5 kg (7.72 pounds). BMI (body mass index) was also decreased by 1.3 kg/m2. Percentage of body fat also decreased by 2.3%.
All variables in subjects receiving a placebo remained unchanged from baseline levels.
Carb Blockers for Metabolic Health
Preliminary research suggests that taking a combination of phaseolamin, bilberry and white mulberry may reduce blood glucose levels.
In one 2-month study involving patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, three daily 15-gram doses were administered. 24.3% blood glucose reductions were reported.
Preliminary evidence suggests that P. vulgaris pod extracts combined with carob extracts may help to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In obese people, it may also help to increase the amount of fat excreted in feces.
Certain carb blocker products may also help to lower triglycerides and lessen the chances of developing arterial plaque.
Carb Blocker Side Effects and Interactions
Most users experience no adverse effects with Phaseolus vulgaris carb blockers. In rare cases, users may experience temporary nausea, vomiting, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach pains and/or constipation.
Do not consume large amounts of raw bean pods. These contain a lectin called phytohaemagglutinin which may cause diarrhea, vomiting and/or gastroenteritis (intestinal inflammation).
Carb blocker supplements with phaseolamin have hypoglycemic effects. This means they may cause blood glucose levels to decrease.
Use extra caution if combining usage with medications or other herbal supplements with hypoglycemic potentials.
Some common prescription medications which have hypoglycemic potentials include insulin, Humulin, NovoLog, FlexPen and Glucotrol.
Some herbal supplements with hypoglycemic potentials include devil’s claw, horse chestnut, fenugreek, garlic, ginseng and psyllium.
Conclusions
Even the best carb blockers should not be looked at as first choice strategies for weight loss, or for any other therapeutic purposes.
By temporarily blocking digestion of starchy foods, these supplements can cause health benefits much like those of increased dietary fiber and caloric restriction dieting. Carbohydrate blockers work best when used in conjunction with a healthy eating plan and daily exercise.
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Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment