If You Can’t Give Up Refined Carbs…

July 25, 2008

Some believe that people can have an addiction to refined carbohydrates. Foods like white flour, high fructose corn syrup and white sugar are created when their whole food counterparts are stripped of many of their fibrous components—leaving only refined portions. These refined carbohydrate products, which have a high glycemic index, meaning they are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream, can be a problem when over-consumed. Because they taste good to most people, they are often eaten in large proportions, crowding out more nutritious foods and fiber and increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes and other diseases.

Is there anything you can do if you’ve been unable to restrict refined carbohydrates from your diet?

“Carb blockers” are natural ingredients that slow the absorption of refined foods into the bloodstream when taken before a high carb meal. The most studied of carb blockers is a form of white bean extract called Phase 2®.

We recently performed some research that showed us that Phase 2 was able to block both the absorption of starches and simple sugars. A human trial showed positive results too. Obese adults were given either 1,500 mg of Phase 2 or a placebo twice daily with meals. After eight weeks, the Phase 2 group lost an average of 3.79 pounds compared to the placebo group that lost less than half that amount.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Limiting the carbohydrates in your diet to unrefined carbs from whole foods may be the most effective way to avoid weight gain and the health problems associated with eating too many refined carbs. However, this is often difficult, and natural carb blockers may be able to help.

QUICK TIP: You might be surprised to learn that, according to Jean Carper, bagels are as bad for blood sugar as white bread, sugar and potatoes. Learn More

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