Carb Blockers Fight Diabetes

September 11, 2008

Carb blockers are natural supplements that inhibit various enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, like amylase and sucrase, and prevent or slow the absorption of carbohydrates. When these products first appeared, they were promoted as weight-loss aids because it was thought that by blocking carbs, you could decrease the amount of calories your body stores. But the way they work may be more complex than simply blocking calories. Carb blockers have beneficial effects on the glucose-insulin system which could impact not only the obesity epidemic, but the burgeoning diabetes epidemic as well.

Many chronic disorders associated with aging—high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides), diabetes and obesity—are strongly associated with disturbances in insulin metabolism. When insulin was discovered early in the 20th century, scientists felt it was the answer for diabetes sufferers; because diabetes was reasoned to be primarily a disease of insulin deficiency. But with the passage of time, many clinicians found that several individuals with diabetic findings had normal or even supernormal concentrations of circulating insulin. In some people, diabetes was not due to lack of insulin, but due to the fact that various tissues in the body could not respond to the adequate or even elevated circulating levels of insulin in a normal fashion. Those people came to be known as insulin resistant. This form of diabetes was labeled type 2 diabetes, in contrast to the type 1 diabetes which results from inadequate production of insulin. In time it was discovered that type 2 diabetes was far more prevalent that type 1. (In the past, the two forms of diabetes were also referred to as juvenile and adult-onset. However, it is generally recognized children are also susceptible to type 2 diabetes so the term adult onset is falling out of favor.

Insulin resistance can be increased or even precipitated by consuming foods containing high amounts of refined carbohydrates (foods that are easily broken down and absorbed rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract). These rapidly absorbed, refined carbohydrates are said to have a high glycemic index. Taking carb blockers before or with high glycemic foods can lower their glycemic index by slowing their absorption and may improve or even prevent insulin resistance. By improving or preventing insulin resistance, carb blockers could be an asset in helping to curb the current obesity and diabetes epidemics.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Carb blockers do more than block calories to help you reach your weight loss goals. They are useful in any attempt to prevent, slow the onset, or ameliorate the severity insulin resistance and diabetes. If you are concerned about the impact of carbs on your blood sugar, or are pre-diabetic, you may want to consider giving a carb blocker a try.

QUICK TIP: Jean Carper explains the difference between “good” and “bad” carbs. Learn More

Written exclusively for Stop Aging Now, the authority on anti-aging research, anti-aging nutrition, and anti-aging supplements.