I heard an ad on the radio for a carb blocker on my way home, and I wondered if any of you ever used them on those "special occasions" where you do have a piece of birthday cake or anything and what you thought about them?

They're pure snake oil meant to separate you from your money.

If any such thing actually worked - it would be a much bigger story than Viagra or Rogaine.

Hi Bill,
I know what Viagra is but what's Rogaine?
Bebe

It's a hair growth treatment that came out a decade or so ago. It actually works for most people. It doesn't work miracles but for most people it will either arrrest hair loss and in many people actually allow them to grow more hair.

It doesn't get a whole lot of air time because it's very mainstream now. But when it was just out it got a lot of media attention.

Only that and one other product (can't think of the name of it) have been shown, in double-blind tests, to work. Yet there are still tons of other products than come and go pushing their hair loss treatment.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Bill, u're the man!
Bebe

From what I've read and heard, the only thing that carb blockers will get you is poorer with a bad case of diarrhea. Drugs that promise huge weight loss while eating anything you want don't work and are generally bad for your health. Keep your money for better things.

It's my understanding that most of the carb blocker pills contain a substance called phaseolin, which is derived from phaseolus vulgaris, or yer common garden variety white kidney bean. Phaseolin inhibits an enzyme that's necessary for the digestion of some starches, so theoretically it will block the absorption of a certain amount of carbohydrate from starch. It does not block the absorption of SUGAR.

Problems:

- the digestion of starches begins in the mouth through the action of ptyalin, an enzyme in saliva. A significant amount of starch will arrive in the stomach already broken down into simple sugars .. especially white flour, white rice, white bread, cornstarch etc .

- Undigested starch will be broken down in the large intestine through the action of the normal bacteria that live there. There will be fermentation to a certain degree, causing gas and diarrhea .. as well, some of the starch will be converted to sugar and absorbed anyway. Phaseolin has no effect on bacteria.

- The maximum amount of carbohydrate that can potentially be "blocked" is approx. 40 grams. Doubling up, and taking more than the recommended dose is unwise, since many of these carb blockers also contain other nutrients which can lead to toxic buildup if you take too much.

- 40 grams of starch carbs would be 2½ slices of bread or 1 cup cooked pasta or 2/3 cup cooked rice. That's not a lot. Remember that it CANNOT block sugar.

Reading the experiences of other low carbers who've used these products .. it's a mixed review. Most are disappointed, but a few sing the praises. These low carbers only use them as "insurance" for an occasional cheat, such as a wedding, birthday or other special occasion. Apparently they lose their effectiveness if you use them for a prolonged period, usually just a week before you're knocked out of ketosis and starting to gain weight.

Not worth the outrageous price, IMHO

Doreen

Alas ... Rogaine has its limitations too. Once you start using it .. you have to continue forever, because if you stop - any new hair growth will fall out due to immature hair follicles needing the Rogaine in order to develop.

Doreen

In response to what Lisa said. .. yes they get you poorer, and for me it was an MAJORLY EXPLOSIVE diarrhea ... I had so many literal "accidents" and I couldn't control the situation ... talk about scary ... Don't waste your money ...

Not only that, I broke out in a rash, and had strong stomach pains where it felt like someone was twisting the jagged edge knife ...

Lizzie .. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ... I would wish what I went through to my worst enemy ... I can't hate someone that much

Does anyone know anything about a product called Starch Away?? It's a chewable tablet taken just before a starchy carb meal and is supposed to block the carbs instantly?? my first question is how does this work? does it just " flush" the carbs from your body? do you need to be close to the bathroom??

hi mike,

There's a discussion thread specifically about StarchAway in the Nutrition & Supplements forum. Check it out .. Starchaway Carb Blocker?.

p.s. - did you read the ingredients?? They're full of SUGAR!


Doreen

Thanks Doreen I think I will skip this product, I guess if it sounds too good to be true....

has anyone tried these? I have been reading you can use these to cheat and still stay in ketosis.

Well its nice to know that phaseolin has some effect on the digestion of (cajun dirty) rice, or bread (homemade kamut/spelt/gluten), which is what I have used it for, but unsettling to learn that if you don't take it b4 your meal begins, it will have virtually no effect.

It also lends an additional argument as to the health benefits of consuming beans and rice at the same time, originally put forth in Diet for a Small Planet--thus creating a "complete protein" (from vegetable sources only) in the stomach, with all essential amino acids present in sufficient quantity to be used effectively by the body. And no, I am NOT a vegetarian!

I actually tried one of these so called carb blockers.. two to be exact.. I was already into atkins a few days and was showing moderate ketone loss.. with my ketostix. I used both. of them because it was my sons bday and I had a small piece of cake.
the cake still totally took me out of ketosys. Those pills and chews did nothing.. it is a total waste of money.

It is better to just stick to the diet and enjoy the fact that you dont have as much stomache upsets with this diet verses eating those nasty carbs..