Carb-Blockers?

[BjornFeuer]

I've heard of these pills you can buy called "Phase 2 Carb-Blocker" and another brand with a similar title that supposedly block the enzymes from forming that converts starch into carbohydrates.

If there's little or no starch in the Atkins diet, is there any point in taking these? Do you think they could help with cutting down on carbs at all?

I've also heard that some green-tea supplements can prevent carbohydrates from being absorbed into the body. Is this true?

[EverLosing]

Re: Carb-Blockers?

You've already got a metabolic advantage with Atkins. You don't need anything else. Stay far away from the pills. Sheesh, I have enough of a hard time making sure all the supplements I take aren't going to trip me up!! You don't need these, I promise!! I know, I know....I was tempted too several months ago, but trust me, you don't need 'em!!!!

[imagood1]

Re: Carb-Blockers?

All you will do is mess your system up if you start taking junk like the carb blockers or the green tea supplements. Take the supplements suggested in the book and leave the other stuff at the store for some poor sucker to buy.

[chinadoll]

Re: Carb-Blockers?

I have heard of friends taking a carb blocker right after they have lost control and downed a pizza but none of them could say whether they really felt the had any benefit from them. Better to dtay on plan and forget about these pills.

Nothing wrong with an occasional cup of real green tea, though. It has antitoxidants and a diuretic effect.

[moglie]

Re: Carb-Blockers?

I have taken the carb blockers on many occasions. They are not for "real sugar", just for stuff that your body will turn into sugars....breads, rice, chips, fries, etc. It blocks the enzyme that your body uses that turns the starches into glucose for digestion.
They do work....I have used them when I have gone to outback for dinner and decided to eat a few cheese fries and bread, I have taken them before eating a slice of pizza, etc. Everytime I have taken them, except for once I have stayed in ketosis (TMI - but when it comes out you can tell it wasn't digested)...the one time I went out of ketosis is that I had a carb laden meal, and then topped it off an hour later with a huge piece of chocolate cake.....which the cake has regular sugar in it...so it wouldn't have been helped by the carb blocker.
They aren't to be taken like a supplement...where you take them every morning....take it 15 min before you eat the carby meal.
The key is to make sure the blocker has phase2 in it (it is white kidney bean extract)...they are a pretty broad price range...I have found the cheaper ones just as reliable as the expensive ones (as long as active ingredient is phase 2).