Phase 2 kidney bean extract

[Duer 157099]

Here's another thing I've never heard about before. Apparently, this extract reduces the conversion of starch to sugar, meaning that one would experience less of a sugar load in their blood in response to eating carbs.

I stumbled upon this because I've been reading about oatmeal in terms of it's antioxidant properties (with regard to not only cardiovascular health, but neurodegeneratives diseases as well), but the negative is that it can mess with blood sugar levels like all carbs do.

So the question is: how can one eat oatmeal and not stress our the pancreas?

Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):63-9.

Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using Phase 2 brand proprietary fractionated white bean extract.

Udani J, Hardy M, Madsen DC.

UCLA School of Medicine, Integrative Medicine Program, Northridge Hospital, 8250 Roscoe Blvd, Suite 240, Northridge, CA 91325, USA. [e-mail]

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Phase 2' starch neutralizer brand bean extract product ("Phase 2") is a water-extract of a common white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) that has been shown in vitro to inhibit the digestive enzyme alpha-amylase. Inhibiting this enzyme may prevent the digestion of complex carbohydrates, thus decreasing the number of carbohydrate calories absorbed and potentially promoting weight loss. METHODS: Fifty obese adults were screened to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of treatment with Phase 2 versus placebo on weight loss. Participants were randomized to receive either 1500 mg Phase 2 or an identical placebo twice daily with meals. The active study period was eight weeks. Thirty-nine subjects completed the initial screening process and 27 subjects completed the study. RESULTS: The results after eight weeks demonstrated the Phase 2 group lost an average of 3.79 lbs (average of 0.47 lb per week) compared with the placebo group, which lost an average of 1.65 lbs (average of 0.21 lb per week), representing a difference of 129 percent (p=0.35). Triglyceride levels in the Phase 2 group were reduced an average of 26.3 mg/dL, more than three times greater a reduction than observed in the placebo group (8.2 mg/dL) (p=0.07). No adverse events during the study were attributed to the study medication. CONCLUSION: Clinical trends were identified for weight loss and a decrease in triglycerides, although statistical significance was not reached. Phase 2 shows potential promise as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of obesity and hypertriglyceridemia and further studies with larger numbers of subjects are warranted to conclusively demonstrate effectiveness.

Int J Toxicol. 2006 Sep-Oct;25(5):361-71.

Toxicity studies of Blockal, a dietary supplement containing Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer (Phase 2), a standardized extract of the common white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

Chokshi D.

Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., Kearny, New Jersey 07032, USA. [e-mail]

Abstract

The number of available dietary supplements containing "starch blockers" intended for weight loss has risen dramatically in recent years. These supplements are believed to reduce carbohydrate-derived calories by interfering with alpha-amylase, the digestive enzyme responsible for conversion of complex carbohydrates to simple absorbable sugars. The present paper reports the findings of single- and multiple-dose (4-week) oral toxicity studies in rats of the marketed dietary supplement Blockal. Blockal contains as its main ingredient Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer (Phase 2 or Phaseolamin 2250), a standardized extract derived from the common white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) that has been shown to have alpha-amylase-inhibiting activity. The Blockal acute oral LD50 exceeded the highest dose tested (3 g/kg body weight ), which provided a single dose of 1668 mg/kg bw of Phase 2 white kidney bean extract. The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) seen in the 4-week study was equivalent to the highest Blockal dose tested (2 g/kg bw/day), which provided 1112 mg/kg/day of Phase 2 white kidney bean extract. The results of these studies support and are consistent with the safety of the marketed dietary supplement Blockal, and indirectly, the safety of its main ingredient, Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer (Phase 2 or Phaseolamin 2250), a standardized extract derived from the common white kidney bean.

http://www.phase2info.com/faq

edit to add the link that got me worrying:

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/oatmeal-good-or-bad.html

[tabatha]

1. Interesting. Thanks.

[TexasProgresive]

2. Not news

All beans and especially soy beans contain enzymes that block the digestion of starches. Heating reduces the effect of the enzyme but not completely, which gives rise to beans musical reputation - "beans, beans the musical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot."

When undigested starch gets in the colon the resident bacteria chow down and make gas.

My dad (may he rest in peace) took a drug that was a starch blocker to lower his blood sugar. He had to start with a very low does and increased it slowly so that he didn't get as gassy as a blimp. It worked well but he was a bit more windy then normal for him.

Clinical Pharmacology

Acarbose is a complex oligosaccharide that delays the digestion of ingested carbohydrates, thereby resulting in a smaller rise in blood glucose concentration following meals. As a consequence of plasma glucose reduction, PRECOSE® reduces levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Systemic non-enzymatic protein glycosylation, as reflected by levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, is a function of average blood glucose concentration over time.


Mechanism of Action: In contrast to sulfonylureas, PRECOSE® does not enhance insulin secretion. The antihyperglycemic action of acarbose results from a competitive, reversible inhibition of pancreatic alpha-amylase and membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucoside hydrolase enzymes. Pancreatic alpha-amylase hydrolyzes complex starches to oligosaccharides in the lumen of the small intestine, while the membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucosidases hydrolyze oligosaccharides, trisaccharides, and disaccharides to glucose and other monosaccharides in the brush border of the small intestine. In diabetic patients, this enzyme inhibition results in a delayed glucose absorption and a lowering of postprandial hyperglycemia.

Because its mechanism of action is different, the effect of PRECOSE® to enhance glycemic control is additive to that of sulfonylureas, insulin or metformin when used in combination. In addition, PRECOSE® diminishes the insulinotropic and weight-increasing effects of sulfonylureas.

Acarbose has no inhibitory activity against lactase and consequently would not be expected to induce lactose intolerance.

http://wiki.medpedia.com/Clinical:Precose_(Acarbose)

[Big Blue Marble]

3. You do not need to make it so complicated.

Eat steel cut oats which have been cooked for 10- 15 minutes. They are excellent.
I have eaten them pretty much every morning with blue berries and soy milk for over 15 years!
We buy 50 pound bags of organic steel cut oats for about 85 cent per pound. So they are economical
as well and absolutely delicious.

The author of your link really seems to confuse rolled oatmeal with lightly cooked steel cut oats. There is
a large difference in the insulin response to these two different preparations.

Lightly cooked steel cut oats are a wonderfully low glycemic food that I love.
The key is to not over cook them. It is the same with pasta and rice.

[Name removed]

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