Carb-Blockers?

tyler43836 · 10-27-2004, 09:00 AM

I'd like to get the AN's opinion on carb-blockers. I, personally, think they are a waste of money....I've heard other's swear by them. Your thoughts?

Atkins_Nutritionist · 10-27-2004, 09:26 AM

I laugh every time I see a commercial or ad for carb blockers! I agree that they are a waste of money. They are said to ‘work’ by inhibiting the metabolism of carbohydrates into stored fat. However, there are no clinical studies performed by the mainstream medical and research communities to back up these claims. Studies have been done only by those selling the product.

The critical ingredient of these products is usually phaselous vulgaris, an extract from the northern white kidney bean. The extract interferes with an enzyme in the body called alpha-amylase that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Instead of carbohydrates being broken down and turning to fat, it is said that the carbs are excreted from the body before they can enter the bloodstream. This may be true in a test tube, but what happens in a test tube doesn’t happen in a human being!

This much can be assumed with diet pills: they are expensive and don't address the basics of sensible weight loss- change of mindset about life, understanding nutrition, balanced meal planning and exercise. If any diet pill really worked in the long-term, there wouldn’t be an obesity epidemic in this country.

tyler43836 · 10-27-2004, 09:49 AM

Just as I suspected.

Thanks!

Reggiano · 10-30-2004, 12:53 PM

Hello to you,
I asked myself the same question a month ago and decided to try it out! My husband and i have been on induction for two months.
We tried it out 3 times and they have been working fine for us! I don't know if it is the same for others but we are enchanted by that product. O.k. you have to be careful, will it give you a reason to cheat? If so, it isn't a good product for you. But in our case, birthdays, reunion at a friend's place....are inevitable for us so in these cases they're perfectly fine!

This is our experience, i don't know if it's the same for everyone...

Reggiano

canadiandina · 10-30-2004, 06:16 PM

Reggiano,
they do not work for me. which brand are you using?

Reggiano · 11-22-2004, 11:57 AM

Sorry Canadiandina for replying this late!

I'm using the brand "Carb Cheater" by Nu-Life Nutrition. Here's their website, www.nulifevitamins.com.

I don't use them often but twice i've tried them eating ice cream and another time brownies and they've worked fine and i took two instead of one. But like i said, we use them occasionnally.

Reggiano

kcbookworm · 11-22-2004, 04:18 PM

canadiandina and reggiano ... How do you know that they "worked" or "didn't worK" for you? Just curious the symptoms or side effects or whatever that help you know if they worked or not. I was thinking about experimenting with them also, but wasn't sure what to watch for success. Thanks!

canadiandina · 11-22-2004, 04:21 PM

kc,
when i took mine and ate a high carb meal, i was very bloated the next day and it took a few days to get back to my before weight. it's as though it didn't work at all.
hope that helps...

Reggiano · 11-22-2004, 06:20 PM

When i have something that is not induction friendly, i take it and it doesn't show at all on the scale but if i don't take it, it does show! One other thing, when i eat something really sweet, i tend to get tired (i mean before Atkins) but with the pills i don't...

kcbookworm · 11-22-2004, 08:27 PM

Thanks for your prompt replies - I appreciate it!

10-27-2004, 09:00 AM	#1
tyler43836 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 11,454 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: tyler43836 Stats: ugh WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 3/31/08	Carb-Blockers? I'd like to get the AN's opinion on carb-blockers. I, personally, think they are a waste of money....I've heard other's swear by them. Your thoughts?

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10-27-2004, 09:26 AM	#2
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	I laugh every time I see a commercial or ad for carb blockers! I agree that they are a waste of money. They are said to ‘work’ by inhibiting the metabolism of carbohydrates into stored fat. However, there are no clinical studies performed by the mainstream medical and research communities to back up these claims. Studies have been done only by those selling the product. The critical ingredient of these products is usually phaselous vulgaris, an extract from the northern white kidney bean. The extract interferes with an enzyme in the body called alpha-amylase that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Instead of carbohydrates being broken down and turning to fat, it is said that the carbs are excreted from the body before they can enter the bloodstream. This may be true in a test tube, but what happens in a test tube doesn’t happen in a human being! This much can be assumed with diet pills: they are expensive and don't address the basics of sensible weight loss- change of mindset about life, understanding nutrition, balanced meal planning and exercise. If any diet pill really worked in the long-term, there wouldn’t be an obesity epidemic in this country.

10-27-2004, 09:49 AM	#3
tyler43836 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 11,454 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: tyler43836 Stats: ugh WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart 3/31/08	Just as I suspected. Thanks!

10-30-2004, 12:53 PM	#4
Reggiano Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sherbrooke,Can. Posts: 374 Gallery: Reggiano Stats: 225/158 /love to see 140? 5'7 WOE: low carb Start Date: august 2004	Hello to you, I asked myself the same question a month ago and decided to try it out! My husband and i have been on induction for two months. We tried it out 3 times and they have been working fine for us! I don't know if it is the same for others but we are enchanted by that product. O.k. you have to be careful, will it give you a reason to cheat? If so, it isn't a good product for you. But in our case, birthdays, reunion at a friend's place....are inevitable for us so in these cases they're perfectly fine! This is our experience, i don't know if it's the same for everyone... Reggiano

10-30-2004, 06:16 PM	#5
canadiandina Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 964 Gallery: canadiandina Stats: 132/116/105	Reggiano, they do not work for me. which brand are you using?

11-22-2004, 11:57 AM	#6
Reggiano Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sherbrooke,Can. Posts: 374 Gallery: Reggiano Stats: 225/158 /love to see 140? 5'7 WOE: low carb Start Date: august 2004	Sorry Canadiandina for replying this late! I'm using the brand "Carb Cheater" by Nu-Life Nutrition. Here's their website, www.nulifevitamins.com. I don't use them often but twice i've tried them eating ice cream and another time brownies and they've worked fine and i took two instead of one. But like i said, we use them occasionnally. Reggiano

11-22-2004, 04:18 PM	#7
kcbookworm MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 1,912 Gallery: kcbookworm WOE: Atkins	canadiandina and reggiano ... How do you know that they "worked" or "didn't worK" for you? Just curious the symptoms or side effects or whatever that help you know if they worked or not. I was thinking about experimenting with them also, but wasn't sure what to watch for success. Thanks!

11-22-2004, 04:21 PM	#8
canadiandina Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 964 Gallery: canadiandina Stats: 132/116/105	kc, when i took mine and ate a high carb meal, i was very bloated the next day and it took a few days to get back to my before weight. it's as though it didn't work at all. hope that helps...

11-22-2004, 06:20 PM	#9
Reggiano Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sherbrooke,Can. Posts: 374 Gallery: Reggiano Stats: 225/158 /love to see 140? 5'7 WOE: low carb Start Date: august 2004	When i have something that is not induction friendly, i take it and it doesn't show at all on the scale but if i don't take it, it does show! One other thing, when i eat something really sweet, i tend to get tired (i mean before Atkins) but with the pills i don't...

11-22-2004, 08:27 PM	#10
kcbookworm MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 1,912 Gallery: kcbookworm WOE: Atkins	Thanks for your prompt replies - I appreciate it!