Do Starch Blockers Help in Weight Loss?

Posted on August 20, 2007

Starch blockers have become a craze, and people believe that they can control their weight. In medicinal terms, starch blockers are called as Amylase Inhibitors. Starch blockers are made from a protein in white kidney beans that inhibit the alpha-amylase enzyme.

The proteins in it help in preventing the breakdown of starch molecules. And, undigested starch passes out in the feces. It is believed that this leads to reduction in carbohydrate and calorie intake, causes low fat storage and promotes weight loss.

Do Starch Blockers Really Work?

Sellers of starch blockers claim that you can eat how much you want, but still can lose weight by taking these pills. It is believed that these pills block starch digestion. Even if you eat cereal containing 240 calories but taken a starch blocker, you would absorb only 26 calories.

This is the claim made by many manufacturers and sellers. Manufacturers cite lab studies to support these claims. But, in reality, no research studies on these products have yet been published. Most of the investigators are involved financially with the manufacturers.

Scientists say that starch blockers could work. But till now there is no published research in support of their effectiveness in controlling weight. Several studies published in the 1980s said that these products were really ineffective in inhibiting starch digestion and absorption.

But, researchers found that protein-digesting enzymes cannot break down the bean extract before it can act on the alpha-amylase. They also suggest that there is more secretion of alpha-amylase than necessary, and the excess can work in spite of the bean extract.

Scientists claim that starch blockers are actually ineffective in weight loss. They claim that the protein in the pill or most of it probably gets digested before it can block anything. Starch digestion actually begins in the mouth and continues up to the small intestine. They also claim that the body produces more alpha amylase than a pill could block. Another claim is that undigested starch in your large intestine would cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Starch Blockers and Side Effects

In 1970’s, FDA received many complaints from consumers that they suffered from nausea, vomiting, intestinal cramps and diarrhea after using starch blockers. High doses of starch blockers leaded to fewer side effects. But it is not proven that these have positive effect on weight loss.

What to do?

Starch blocker is a product marketed with little or no research support. Still, researchers are trying to find out the effectiveness of these products in weight loss. Until the clinical trials find that starch blockers are effective for weight loss, they should be considered ineffective and unsafe.

» Filed Under Diet and Nutrition

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