White kidney bean extract is a popular weight loss supplement that is touted as a carb-blocker. White kidney beans are also known as Phaseolus vulgaris and they are members of the Leguminosae family (legumes). The main bioactive constituent of these legumes is phaseolamin.
Taking a white kidney bean extract dosage before eating a meal is known to inhibit the actions of alpha-amylase. Alpha amylase is a digestive enzyme that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
By inhibiting the effects of this enzyme, some carbohydrates that have been consumed are allowed to pass through the digestive system without being broken down. This means that they are eliminated from the body and are not absorbed into the bloodstream.
Because these carbohydrates are not absorbed, their caloric value is negated. This reduces the amount of calories digested from a meal and can reduce blood sugar spikes following carbohydrate intake. White kidney bean supplements can also support weight loss by making it easier to achieve a calorie deficit.
What is the best white kidney bean dosage to use and how should this supplement be taken? This article will review the results published from different clinical studies to determine the best dosing guidelines.



- Reduces breakdown & absortion of carbs
- Contains phaseolamin; inhibits alpha-amylase
- Supports weight loss & appetite control
Why Take White Kidney Bean Extract?
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Regular supplementation with white kidney bean extract has demonstrated a number of health-boosting properties in clinical trials.
White Kidney bean extract is a source of a number of different active compounds, the most important of which is phaseolamin. Phaseolamin is a proteinaceous inhibitor of the alpha-amylase enzyme.
Dosages for white kidney bean extract are typically determined by the concentration of phaseolamin provided by the supplement. Products may also be marketed as containing a certain number of alpha amylase inhibiting units (AAIU) per gram.
For example, Phase 2 is a proprietary phaseolamin supplement made from a water extract of White Kidney beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris). Capsules with this ingredient are typically standardized to contain 500 mg of Phase 2 extract, which provides at least 3000 AAIU per gram.
White Kidney bean is also a source of a number of other beneficial phytonutrients, including proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, selenium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, calcium, iron, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, thiamine, retinol, folic acid, nicotinic acid, fiber, flavonoids, chymotrypsin inhibitors, phenolic acid, and kaempferol.
White Kidney Bean Extract and Heart Health
In many countries, heart disease is the leading cause of death. The primary causes of heart disease include hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperlipidemia which may cause arterial plaque to accumulate in blood vessels.
These accumulations of fatty substances can lead to atherosclerosis, which lead to coronary artery disease; the main precursor of heart disease.
Using white kidney bean extract is said to improve blood lipid levels, which may reduce risk factors for heart disease.
When we take in too many carbohydrates, our bodies turn excessive glucose into lipids. These lipids are then stored as body fat. Excessive carbohydrate intake is largely responsible for the current high levels of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and related conditions.
White kidney bean extract dosages between 500 mg and 3000 mg daily have shown to decrease triglycerides levels in the blood.
By better balancing LDL-to-HDL cholesterol levels, and by reducing the amounts of circulating triglycerides, the risk factors for these and various other conditions and diseases may decline.
More research is needed to definitively establish a link between using white kidney bean extract and other carb-blocking supplements with lower risk of heart disease. Preliminary research does suggest a mechanism, but this needs to be borne out in human research trials.
White Kidney Bean Extract for Obesity
In human trials, phaseolamin in white kidney bean extract has been shown to inhibit the effects of the enzyme, alpha-amylase. This can have a positive effect on weight loss and anti-obesity results.
In one double blind, placebo controlled study involving overweight patients, once daily oral doses of Phaseolamin vulgaris, before high-carbohydrate meals, promoted decreases in the thickness of adipose tissue, waist circumference, thigh circumference, hip circumference, fat mass and body weight.
In a 1-month study with obese human subjects, treatment group participants lost an average of 6.79 pounds with twice daily 1500 mg white kidney bean extract dosages. Comparatively, the placebo group participants lost less than one pound each on average.
All participants were following the same dietary restrictions. Treatment group subjects also demonstrated a 3 percent reduction in waist circumference, as well as a 10% reduction in fat mass.
In a separate 8-week human trial, 27 obese participants received 1500 mg white kidney bean extract dosages twice daily. Following the same diet plans as the placebo group participants, treatment group members lost 3.95 pounds on average. Placebo group members lost only 0.65 pounds each n average.
Further 73% of the treatment group participants reported decreases in their cravings for starchy and/or sweet foods. Placebo group members unanimously reported strong increases in cravings for these types of foods.
By improving these markers for obesity, supplementation with white kidney bean extract may reduce factors that contribute to developing related conditions. Obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles and high stress levels are associated with many preventable ailments and disease.
Additional White Kidney Bean Extract Effects
White kidney bean extract dosages may promote antioxidant effects and help to prevent free radical damage.
In animal studies, a group of rats which had been infected with streptozotocin received 200 mg/kg doses of phaseolamin daily. Results after 6 weeks showed strong reductions in hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive compounds.
Additionally, levels of several integral antioxidant enzymes were increased after taking White Kidney Bean extract; including glutathione, SOD (superoxide dismutase), glutathione S transferase and glutathione peroxidase. The precise mechanism of action is not understood yet.
White Kidney Bean Extract Dosages
Typical dosages for White Kidney Bean extract fall between 500 mg to 3000 mg per day. Most users take 1000 mg, twice per day with meals. For this supplement to be effective as a carb-blocker, it must be consumed with meals.
In some research studies, a smaller dose of the proprietary Phase 2 phaseolamine extract have been used. Treatment group subjects in this study received 445 mg of extract once per day and followed a calorie-restricted diet.
At the end of the 30-day study, those given the Phase 2 extract had lost 6.6 pounds compared to only 0.8 pounds in the placebo control group. The treatment group also had reductions in fat mass and waist circumference.
There have been no reports of serious or lasting adverse effects associated with Phaseolamin supplementation. The FDA recognizes P. vulgaris as a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) food. Talk with your doctor before beginning to use white kidney bean extract doses to find out if it is appropriate for you.
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Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment