Phaseolamin: A Natural Way To Lose Weight And Still Enjoy Eating

It sounds like the ultimate weight-worrier's dream come true - a 'magic' pill that allows you to carry on eating all the foods you love and still lose weight.

Now a breakthrough natural formula promises just this. The supplement, called Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser, is based on phaseolamin, a partial-protein substance extracted from white kidney beans. It works by reducing the absorption of carbohydrates - like potatoes, pasta and bread - too many of which can soon pile on the pounds, by literally 'neutralising' starch calories. These are the types of foods that many dieters find particularly difficult to give up or cut down on when they're trying to lose weight, especially because they're so filling.

Fortunately, phaseolamin only blocks the amount of energy (namely calories) being supplied by the starch itself. It does not affect the absorption of other nutrients contained within high-carbohydrate foods, such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements, so the benefits of these are not lost. In the absence of starch calories to burn, the body can redress the balance by using energy from stored fat reserves, which helps promote further weight loss.

Although phaseolamin seems to offer a sort of cheater's charter, it does appear to provide a harmless and easy way for people to eat starchy foods and still lose weight. However, it is important to mention upfront that it should not be viewed as a licence to go ahead and overeat or fill up on unlimited amounts of carbohydrates. As someone who cares about their health, you'll know that a proper balance of nutrients is essential not just in terms of controlling your weight but also for the sake of your health.

How does phaseolamin prevent calories from carbohydrates equalling weight gain?

Phaseolamin combines with an enzyme in the body called alpha-amylase - which is involved in the digestion of starch - and temporarily blocks its activities.

Alpha-amylase is secreted in saliva and by your pancreas and is responsible for breaking down starch into simple sugars, which can then be absorbed in the small intestine. Blocking this digestive enzyme prevents the digestion of carbohydrates, which means they are able to pass largely undigested through the gastrointestinal tract. The end result is a decrease in the number of calories absorbed, thereby helping to promote weight loss.

This disabling of the alpha-amylase enzyme lasts for about an hour. This means that if phaseolamin is taken just before eating a meal, then up to 75 per cent of the starch consumed will travel through the digestive system without releasing any calories.1

This can help promote weight loss in two ways regarding hunger - whether it be physical or psychological - which plays a large part in dietary approaches to losing weight. Firstly, the benefit of eating 'calorie-neutralised' starchy foods is that their presence in the stomach activates receptors that will 'tell' the body that it is full and doesn't need to eat any more. And, secondly, there is a benefit too on a psychological level, because the person simply feels less hungry, knowing that they have eaten a full and - what is for them - normal meal.

Studies confirm Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser's ability to shift weight

It is estimated that the average Western diet is made of between 25 and 33 per cent starchy foods, which means that between 19 to 25 per cent of calorific intake can be neutralised by phaseolamin. If you were to eat 1,125 calories a day from starchy foods, then you would absorb about 281 calories - this is said to represent a weight loss of between one and one and a half pounds per week through absorbing 844 calories less a day.

In a 12-week study of 40 obese people, those using the starch neutraliser lost an average of 3.5kg (7lb 11oz) each, compared with an average weight loss of 1.2kg (2lb 10oz) by those in the control group.2

In a more recent study, 60 volunteers were randomly given either the Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser or a placebo. Over a period of 30 days, the Phase 2 group lost an average of 6lb 7oz, while the placebo group lost an average of just 12oz.3

Dr Jay Udani of Northridge Hospital, which is affiliated to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), carried out the very latest study on Phase 2 and the detailed results are still under wraps. However, it is understood that a large group of obese adults were given either Phase 2 or a placebo. The combined weight loss achieved by the starch-blocker group was more than three times as much as that achieved by the placebo group. And not only did the former group lose much more weight but they also reported greater improvements in terms of their general well-being.4

In these studies, participants followed their usual diets and ate what they would do normally, in addition to maintaining their daily routine activities.

Whether you exercise or not, it seems that this method of weight loss does work. However, there is apparently a bonus for those who exercise as well as take the Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser - apart from the obvious fact that it helps you get fitter, which has health-related benefits of its own. When you exercise, your body's first source of energy is the calories you have recently eaten and absorbed. Only after this source is exhausted does your body switch to using stored body fat. This is why people who eat plenty of carbohydrates but do lots of exercise can often still find it difficult to shift the weight, despite their best efforts at the gym or out jogging. As mentioned earlier, in the absence of starch calories to burn following the use of Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser, the body uses energy from your fat reserves instead.

What to take for best results

The recommended dose is one Phase 2 Starch Neutraliser tablet with a meal, twice a day. This supplement is not known to cause any side effects. However, as already mentioned, the use of this product should not be used as a substitute for a nutritionally balanced diet which, combined with regular exercise, is necessary for controlling weight in addition to maintaining good health.

1. KA Tappenden, A Martin, D Layman, JI Baum. University of Illinois 2001. 'Evaluation of the efficacy of an amylase inhibitor', FASEB journal, Vol 15, No 4.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.

2. E Thom. 2000. 'A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin'. Journal of International Medical Research, Vol 28.

3. R Ballerini. Pharmaceutical Development and Service of Italy 2002. 'Evaluation of the effectiveness of Phase 2', publication pending.

4. Udani, J. Northridge Hosital, University of California, Los Angeles 2002. 'Investigation of the efficacy of Phase 2 starch blockers'. Publication pending.