White Kidney Bean Extract (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Effects & Safety

White kidney bean extract has been shown in some clinical trials to decrease body weight and waist sizes of human subjects.

It is now a common ingredient in diet pills and “Carb Blocker” supplement formulation.

White kidney beans or Phaseolus vulgaris contain phaseolamin, a substance known to limit the body’s synthesis of alpha-amylase.

Alpha-amylase is an enzyme that helps to break down carbohydrates. When the effects of this enzyme are inhibited, starches are not able to be digested. This leads to fewer carbohydrate calories being absorbed into the body.

With the body unable to break down and assimilate starches, they are excreted undigested and/or sent to the colon where they are fermented.

White Kidney Bean extract has been found to decrease blood glucose spikes following a meal, which also means that the pancreas releases less insulin. With lower insulin levels, the body is less likely to store glucose as fats.

In other words, the body creates less new fat and has fewer calories to burn in order to achieve a calorie balance or a deficit necessary to promote weight loss.

When fewer carbohydrate calories are metabolized, this parallels the effects of dietary caloric restriction. Taking White Kidney Bean extract capsules to support weight loss or weight maintenance will provide the best results if combined with diet and exercise.

White Kidney Bean

Carb Blocker

Carb Blocker

Appetite Control

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Reduces breakdown & absortion of carbs
• Contains phaseolamin; inhibits alpha-amylase
• Supports weight loss & appetite control

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1500 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Research Findings for White Kidney Bean Extract

Various double-blind, placebo-based clinical trials on white kidney bean extracts have been completed. The following effects have been noted:

• Reduction in body weight;
• Reduction in body fat levels;
• Decreased blood triglyceride levels;
• Improved blood glucose utilization and regulation;
• Decreased expected gains of body fat on a high calorie diet;
• Reduced risk of colon cancer;
• Possibly reverse symptoms of prediabetes (reactive hypoglycemia) and diabetes;
• Possibly decrease the glycemic indexes of starch-laden foods like white rice;
• Possibly prevent sharp spikes in blood glucose levels, and their downstream complications.

White Kidney Bean Extracts Mechanisms of Action

Phaseolus vulgaris is a legume. All legumes contain phaseolamin, but white kidney beans contain more than most other food sources. Phaseolamin is classified as alpha-amylase inhibitor isoform 1 (Alpha AI1). It acts to inhibit starch digestion in the following manner:

• Carbohydrates enter the mouth;
• The salivary glands release amylase and begin the process of digestion;
• After swallowing, the acidic environment of the stomach stops the amylase activity;
• In the small intestine, acidic pH levels are neutralized;
• The pancreas releases additional amylase into the small intestine;
• Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into oligosaccharides;
• Glucosidase enzymes then act on the oligosaccharides, breaking them down further into monosaccharides;
• Only monosaccharides molecules are absorbed into the body for energy;
• If the liver does not need the monosaccharides for energy, then they are stored either as triglycerides or glycogen.

By inhibiting the amylase released into the small intestine by the pancreas, White Kidney Bean Extracts partially prevents the breakdown of carbohydrates to oligosaccharides. This disrupts the carbohydrate digestion process, leaving the undigested carbohydrates to be directed to the colon, either for excretion or fermenting.

In short, this supplement is believed to prevent some of the calories you eat from actually entering your body and either being burned off or being stored as fat.

White Kidney Bean for Obesity Prevention

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic. It significantly increases the risks for developing heart disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal disorders; as well as various types of cancer including breast, endometrial and colon cancer.

According to WHO, there were more than 600 million obese people worldwide in 2014. In the United States now, more than 13% of the total population is obese.

High-sugar and high-fat foods which are nutritionally weak or void are very prevalent in the modern American diet. Carbohydrates are known to be the primary contributors to caloric intake.

White kidney bean extracts may help to reduce obesity risk factors by better balancing energy expenditure with energy intake by limiting the metabolism of starchy carbohydrates.

In research studies, participants on a high-calorie that were given white kidney bean pills actually gained less weight than those given a placebo. This has significant implications for preventing obesity and overweightness.

Reducing Colon Cancer Risk

By restricting the actions of Alpha-amylase, Alpha AI1 prohibits certain carbohydrates from being absorbed into the small intestine. These partially broken down carbs then travel to the colon and feed colonic bacteria. This generates a probiotic-like effect via the release of butyric acid, propionic acid and acetic acid.

These short-chain acids are believed to be effective at reducing the risks of developing colon cancer. Other possible benefits of this colonic action include improved modulation of glucagon and insulin release, as well as performing as an inhibitor of systemic HDAC (histone deacetylase).

White Kidney Bean Extract Adverse Effects

It has been shown in murine testing that phaseolamin is safe at amounts of 5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight. That is significantly higher than the dosage recommended for human supplementation.

As such, white kidney bean extracts are believed to be safe and are listed as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) food sources. Upon initial supplementation, flatulence and stomach upset may be noted. These effects are temporary.

Note that all supplements and medicine function more effectively when their usage is complemented by water-rich foods and daily physical activity. Other factors also improve the effects, like proper hydration, proactive stress management and abstinence from tobacco products and alcohol.

Talk with your physician to fully understand the possible benefits of supplementation.

Pregnant women, nursing mothers, surgery candidates, those with diabetes and those with liver/kidney disease should not use cannellini bean supplements. The possible weight loss and cardiovascular enhancing properties of Phaseolus vulgaris have not been evaluated in large-scale clinical trials.

No FDA recommendations exist for white kidney bean extract supplementation.

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