• Wish to find help preventing the breakdown of starches into sugars; and
  
• Would like help in reducing the blood sugar "spike" often associated with consuming starchy foods.^3,5

Supplements sold as "starch blockers" or "carb blockers" are really starch-enzyme blockers; they inhibit the body's production of the starch-digesting enzyme, alpha-amylase. With lessened amounts of alpha-amylase, the body is less able to break down starches (carbohydrates) into sugar (glucose) for further digestion. That's how starch blockers work - at least on a theoretical level. Phaseolamin Phase 2® Starch Blocker (Phaseolus vulgaris - northern white kidney bean - extract) is an alpha-amylase inhibitor.

Scientists have been aware of various alpha-amylase inhibitors for decades, but up until recent studies of Phase 2 starch blocker, these products have not been shown to work all that well. A number of factors may have explained why: there was not enough alpha-amylase-blocking activity from these products, they did not work well in the body, they contained endogenous alpha-amylase in sufficient quantity to overcome their alpha-amylase-inhibiting effects, or another enzyme, glucoamylase, was able to take over when alpha-amylase is inhibited. Whatever the problem, fecal-calorie tests demonstrated that they did not work very well at blocking the digestion of starch (an increase in fecal starch content, and therefore, caloric value would be apparent since the starch should pass through undigested¹) in vivo (in the body). Nevertheless, most of these alpha-amylase inhibitors have been shown to work in vitro (in a test tube), which left scientists frustratingly just out of reach of the "holy grail" of diet products.

As it turns out, according to subsequent research,² the reason why alpha-amylase inhibitors work in vitro but not very well in vivo is that they have only weak inhibiting ability. However, partially purified extracts (around 30-40 times the concentration of previously available commercial preparations) of Phaseolus vulgaris extract (white kidney bean extract) are stable in the stomach and based on current evidence do seem to slow or hinder the absorption of carbohydrate-based calories. One such product is Phaseolamin Phase 2®.

An alpha-amylase inhibitor present in Phaseolus vulgaris (white kidney beans), is the best alpha-amylase inhibitor currently available. Phase 2® Phaseolamin brand Phaseolus vulgaris extract has been demonstrated effective against a placebo through randomized clinical tests conducted at the University of Scranton, PA.^3,4,5,6 While this information seems very promising, we should point out that these studies, while well constructed and some are done under a double-blind placebo structure (scientifically the most rigorous), are limited in scope. Further large population studies are needed to say definitively that Phase 2 aids in both short term and long term weight loss.

How much weight can you expect to lose? Individual results vary. Test subjects in a controlled clinical setting using this product (Phaseolamin Phase 2® Starch / Carb Blocker) lost 3.9% of their total body weight and 10.45% of body fat mass, in 30 days, without reducing lean tissue mass, as compared to a placebo group.⁴ This translates to a 7.8 pound reduction for someone starting at 200 pounds of body weight, in 30 days. This is not only a good result, it is a healthy pace at which to lose weight. That said, you may have seen ads for starch blockers that tell you it is OK to go ahead and eat all the bread, potatoes, rice and pasta you want. That's silly - if you are already having trouble managing your weight because of starch why would you INCREASE your consumption of starches? If you eat enough carbs or starch, regardless of the amount of Phase 2 that you take, you will gain weight and gain fat. Rather, lose weight the sensible way by reducing your intake, exercising to increase your calorie burn rate and use Phase 2 as an additional tool to help you lose weight.

Maybe even more interesting than Phase 2®'s starch-blocking ability is that, since starches are quickly converted to sugar, those subjects taking Phase 2® Phaseolamin did not experience as dramatic a "spike" in blood glucose levels after consuming a starchy food.^3,5 (A starchy foods' readiness to convert to sugar can be rated relative to other foods - this places the food on the "glycemic index", the more readily converted starches scoring higher than the more slowly converted starches.) This is no mere detail as many Hypoglycemic and Type II Diabetes sufferers are acutely aware - preventing blood sugar spikes can be very valuable. The patients who took the Phaseolus extract experienced a return to normal blood glucose levels 20 minutes earlier than the placebo group, and their maximum blood glucose levels after eating a starch were measured at one-half to two-thirds the levels of those subjects receiving placebo.^3,5

Since the objective is to block the amylase enzyme, at least two capsules must be taken at once. If you take only one, you will not recieve half the benefit, but none at all. Think of this as you would think of turning off a gas grill: if its valve is not entirely closed, gas can still be ignited. Here the amylase enzyme is the "gas" - you must turn it off (block it) completely. Two capsules will be enough Phase 2® to achieve this goal. At least 15 minutes prior to your first meal will ensure that the Phase 2® inhibitor has had time to work.

The studies performed in Scranton were done on subjects taking 2 pills in the morning and that's all. It may be that you can take more throughout the day, after all it is a bean extract and very safe.

Weight loss occurs when a person burns more calories than s/he ingests. Therefore, eating less, eating right, and exercising are essential to your weight loss program. Easier said than done! Additionally, it is important to focus on fat loss as opposed to just weight loss, since nobody has a reason to want to lose lean muscle tissue. The products we offer can be a valuable aid in your effort, if used responsibly. Our customers who heed this advice invariable succeed and often report to us that our products were helpful to them. Remember, it is impossible to "lose weight overnight" in a healthy manner. Permanent, healthy weight loss takes time and dedication. Good luck, we know you can do it!