Carb Blockers: Effective For Keto?

Carbohydrate blockers, also known as starch blockers, are dietary supplements that inhibit the body's ability to digest and absorb carbohydrates. They are often marketed as weight loss aids, with the promise that you can eat all the bread, candy and pasta you like without the carbs being counted. Carb blockers are also used to manage type 2 diabetes.

Carb blockers work by inhibiting the production of enzymes that break down carbs. The theory is that if you aren't making the enzymes to digest carbs, you can't break them down and use them for energy, so you don't get any calories from them.

There is research to back up their role in weight loss and blood sugar control, but their effectiveness may be limited. They only prevent a portion of the carbs you eat from being digested and do not block the absorption of simple sugars such as table sugar, fruit juice, sweetened beverages and corn syrup.

Carb blockers are generally considered safe, but they can cause digestive discomfort and unpleasant side effects such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Carb blockers and weight loss

Carbohydrate blockers, also known as starch blockers, are substances that help block the absorption of carbohydrates in your digestive tract. They are usually marketed as weight loss aids, with the promise that you can eat as many carbs as you like without absorbing any calories. Carb blockers are typically made from natural, plant-based chemicals, and are available as over-the-counter supplements or prescription medications.

Carb blockers work by inhibiting the production of enzymes that break down carbohydrates. These enzymes are essential for the body to digest and absorb carbs. By blocking these enzymes, carb blockers prevent the complete breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. As a result, a portion of these carbs passes through the body undigested and does not contribute to blood sugar or caloric intake.

Types of Carb Blockers

There are two primary forms of carb blockers:

• Alpha-amylase inhibitors: These are typically sold as weight loss supplements and can be found in health food stores. The main ingredient in these types of carb blockers is white kidney bean extract, also known as Phaseolus vulgaris extract. Research shows that this extract has a low glycemic index and slows the absorption of carbohydrates.
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs): AGIs are available via prescription and are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. They are derived from bacteria and work by delaying the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, which helps lower blood glucose and insulin levels.

While carb blockers have been shown to aid in weight loss, their effectiveness may be limited. Research indicates that carb blockers only prevent about 50-65% of carb-digesting enzymes from being formed. This does not necessarily mean that the same proportion of carbs will be blocked from being absorbed. Additionally, carb blockers only work on complex carbohydrates, such as starches found in pasta, bread, and rice. They have no effect on simple sugars, such as those found in ice cream, candy, or sweetened beverages.

Several studies have shown that carb blockers may cause modest weight loss, with participants losing between 2-5.5 lbs (0.95-2.5 kg) more than control groups. Interestingly, those who ate the most carbs appeared to lose the most weight, as complex carbs make up a larger portion of their diet. However, other studies found no significant difference in weight loss between those who took carb blockers and those who did not.

Side Effects and Precautions

While carb blockers are generally considered safe for healthy adults, they may cause some minor digestive discomfort due to the increased amount of starch passing into the large intestine. Side effects may include gas, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and changes in bowel movements. These side effects are typically mild and decrease over time as the body adjusts.

Individuals with digestive issues, such as IBS or Crohn's disease, should use caution when taking carb blockers as they may worsen symptoms. People with diabetes should also be cautious, as carb blockers can affect blood sugar levels and may require an adjustment of diabetes medications to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Carb blockers have the potential to aid in weight loss, particularly for those consuming a diet high in complex carbohydrates. However, they are not a magic pill, and their effectiveness may vary. While generally safe, it is important to purchase carb blockers from reputable brands, follow dosage instructions, and consult a healthcare professional before use.

Carb blockers and blood sugar control

Carb blockers are supplements that prevent the body from absorbing carbohydrates, allowing them to pass through the body undigested. Carbohydrates that are not absorbed cannot cause spikes in blood sugar and their calories are not stored as fat. Carb blockers work by inhibiting the production of enzymes that break down carbs.

Carbohydrates can be broadly categorized into simple and complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates include starches and dietary fibre. Starch is made up of larger molecules that need to be broken down into simple sugars before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Carb blockers primarily affect the digestion of starch. They contain compounds that bind to the enzymes responsible for breaking down complex carbs, specifically alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. By inhibiting these enzymes, carb blockers prevent the complete breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. As a result, a portion of these carbs passes through the gastrointestinal tract undigested and does not contribute to blood sugar or caloric intake.

Carb blockers are usually marketed as weight loss aids, but they probably have a bigger impact on blood sugar control. They prevent or slow down the digestion of complex carbs, resulting in lower spikes in blood sugar levels. Carb blockers are also thought to affect some of the hormones involved in controlling blood sugar levels. In several studies of healthy people, carb blocker supplements have been shown to cause a smaller rise in blood sugar after consuming a meal high in carbs. They also cause blood sugar levels to return to normal faster.

Carb blockers are generally considered safe, but they can cause some side effects such as gas, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. These side effects are typically short-lived and decrease over time as the body adjusts to the carb blocker.

Carb blockers and diabetes

Carb blockers, also known as starch blockers, are substances that help block the absorption of carbohydrates in the digestive tract. They are usually taken in capsule form and are made from natural, plant-based chemicals. Carb blockers work by inhibiting the production of enzymes that break down carbs, such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. By blocking these enzymes, carb blockers prevent the breakdown of starches, which are long chains of glucose molecules. This means that the body cannot absorb the calories or nutrients from the carbohydrates, and they pass through the body without any effect on calorie intake or blood sugar levels.

Carb blockers have gained popularity in recent years due to their potential benefits in weight loss and type 2 diabetes management. They are particularly appealing to those on the ketogenic diet, as eating too many carbohydrates can kick the body out of ketosis, which is the fat-burning metabolic process responsible for the health benefits of the diet. Additionally, excess refined carbohydrates have been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic disease.

There are two primary forms of carb blockers: white kidney bean extract, also known as Phaseolus vulgaris extract, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs). White kidney bean extract is the most common and well-researched carb blocker, and it is available over the counter at health food stores. It has been shown to induce weight loss and reduce fat mass while preserving lean body mass. AGIs, on the other hand, are available by prescription and are used to treat type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. They work by delaying the absorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine, which helps to control and prevent diabetes by lowering postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels.

While carb blockers have shown promise in weight management and blood sugar control, they are not without their side effects. They can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, as they alter the natural process of carbohydrate digestion. Additionally, people with diabetes who take insulin should be cautious when taking carb blockers, as they can enhance the action of diabetes medications and potentially cause low blood sugar if the insulin dose is not adjusted.

Overall, while carb blockers may be a useful tool for those looking to cut down on the effects of carbohydrates, they are not a magic bullet. They only block a portion of carb-digesting enzymes and do not prevent the absorption of simple sugars. Additionally, they may lead to the development of bad habits, such as including more "cheat" meals in the diet. Instead of relying on carb blockers, it is recommended to focus on maintaining a healthy ketogenic diet with low-carb vegetables and berries as the main source of carbohydrates.

Carb blockers and insulin sensitivity

Carb blockers, also known as starch blockers, are dietary supplements that inhibit the body's ability to digest and absorb carbohydrates. They are often marketed as weight loss aids, but their effectiveness is limited and studies provide conflicting results. Carb blockers work by inhibiting the production of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, specifically alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. By blocking these enzymes, carb blockers prevent the complete breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, which means that a portion of these carbs passes through the body undigested and unabsorbed. This can be beneficial for weight loss, as it reduces overall caloric intake, and can also help improve blood sugar control, making it potentially useful for people with diabetes.

Carb blockers are generally considered safe for healthy adults, but they can cause some minor digestive discomfort due to the increased amount of undigested starch in the large intestine. This can lead to gas, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. Additionally, people with diabetes who take insulin should be cautious when using carb blockers, as they can lower blood sugar levels and may require an adjustment of insulin dosage.

While carb blockers may have some benefits for weight loss and blood sugar control, they are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. A well-balanced diet and regular physical exercise are still necessary to achieve lasting results. Additionally, carb blockers should be used with caution by individuals with digestive issues, as they can interfere with the normal digestion process and worsen symptoms of conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease.

It is important to note that carb blockers are not the same as supplements that improve insulin sensitivity. The primary goal of a carb blocker is to prevent carbohydrates from being absorbed into the bloodstream, rather than reducing blood sugar spikes or improving insulin sensitivity directly.

Carb blocker side effects

Carb blockers are generally considered safe, but they can cause some unpleasant side effects.

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal issues, such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, stomach pain, cramping, and changes in bowel movements. These side effects are usually short-lived and decrease over time as the body adjusts to the carb blocker. However, for individuals with digestive issues, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease, carb blockers may worsen symptoms.

Additionally, carb blockers can lead to low blood sugar, especially if taken with insulin or other diabetes medications. This can be dangerous and requires careful monitoring and adjustment of medication dosages. Pregnant women and individuals with gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, or kidney problems should consult a doctor before taking carb blockers.

Some brands of carb blockers may also contain common allergens like wheat extract, fish, and soy, so it is important to read the labels carefully.

Frequently asked questions