Weight Loss
Block This
Part 1 of a 2 Part Series
In a world where the numbers of overweight and obese people only continue to climb, many people are desperate for any help they can get with weight loss. Sure, most people can lose weight following a low carb, or conversely, a low calorie, low fat diet — for a little while anyway. But long-term compliance continues to elude many people. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could eat all the carbs or all the fat you wanted and not gain weight?
That’s the allure of a category of newer dietary supplements called starch blockers, and the over-the-counter fat blocker called Alli. The idea is, “Go ahead and eat the foods you like, just keep them from breaking down and make them pass right through, so you don’t absorb the calories.”
First, just to give you a little background… Starch blockers are substances that stop the digestion of starches by blocking one of the enzymes that break them down. For example, a prescription drug for diabetics called acarbose (Precose) blocks the enzyme called alpha-glucosidase.
A newer over-the-counter starch blocker called Phase 2 is extracted from white beans and is an ingredient in many different starch-blocking weight loss products that go by different names. It blocks alpha-amylase, another carb-digesting enzyme.
Xenical (orlistat) is the higher-dose prescription version of Alli. It blocks the fat-digesting enzyme called lipase. Many users don’t know that it was almost taken off the market by the FDA due to the severe side effects.
Do these products help with weight loss? Somewhat. For starch blockers, there aren’t many studies to look at, but one that was done by the manufacturer of Phase 2 showed people lost an average of a half a pound a week compared to controls who only lost .21 pound per week.1
One study of orlistat showed that subjects who took the drug and followed a low calorie diet lost about 15 pounds in 2 years compared to those on placebo who lost about 8 pounds.2 The Alli full program is supposed to include exercise, in which case, weight loss could be, and according to testimonials on the web site, often is greater. Some experts have noted that the drug doesn’t work unless you have a certain amount of fat in your diet.3
However, it is really important to note — these products block only a small percentage of the calories from fats or starches, so it is still necessary to practice portion control and to exercise, or they aren’t effective. That’s why Alli provides a whole online support program teaching people how to reduce their calories further using portion control, and encouraging exercise.
Blogs and online discussion forums show starch blocker users reporting the same thing — you still can’t eat whatever you want or you don’t lose weight. The bottom line is, you still have to do the hard work of dieting and exercising.
Despite that, and the side effects of gas and loose oily stools, one study found that Alli users report very high satisfaction with the product.4 But would they be as willing to use it if they knew that a health research group has questioned whether it may potentially cause colon cancer? 5
Next time I’ll discuss the side effects and safety concerns of fat and starch blockers and provide a few helpful pointers for sticking to a low carb diet.
References
- Udani J, et al. Alt Med Rev. 2004;9(1):63-69.
- Heymsfield S et al. Arch Intern Med.2000;160:1321-1326.
- http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282617,00.html.
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86286.php.
- http://www.worstpills.org/results.cfm?drug_id=1061&x=29&y=14.
[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention. To learn more click here.]
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Tags: obesity, starch blockers, Weight Loss
please i need to know the food i will eat so as to loss weight and the food eat so as to remain slim
To all these people and Dr.s that say it’s so easy to just eat a low fat and low sugar diet and exercise regularily to lose weight, I say this: How fat are you own children? How fat is your mother? How about your grandmother? It is not that easy, and one problem we are all having here is that there is SO much unhealthy food EVERYWHERE! It’s so hard to make good choices week after week, year after year! I’ve pretty much avoided the bread isle for years, only going for the whole grain Swiss breads, fat free dairy products only, lean meats, and lots of vegetables and fruits. I’ve been following Weight Watchers for 40 weeks, only eating 19 points per day, and I’ve only lost 10 lbs! Before that, I did a juice fast for 11 days, I’ve done Atkins for 5 weeks with no weight loss, I’ve had a personal trainer for months, I exercise all the time at home, and I’m still 30 lbs. overweight. After I had a hysterectomy, that was it! Anyway, back to my point. Try going to the grocery store and buying all the food for four people on a budget, keep it interesting for the morale of the family, vary the menus, make it taste good, and just see how hard it is! Forget about going out, it’s all full of fat. I could use a little help here! Why does the bread have to be full of high fructose corn syrup? Well, I need Alli,and any other pill I can find to help me lose weight. I’ve been on Alli for three weeks, following a low fat diet. I have gained three pounds so far. That is strictly following Weight Watcher’s also, and doing Billy’s Bootcamp workouts everyday. I have muscles everywhere, and lots of fat on top of everything. I would take Epedra at this point! I don’t care anymore, I just want to LOSE WEIGHT!!!
For the person who posted before me, please do an online search for Cushing’s. You obviously have a metabolic disease. I know this because I do, too. It doesn’t matter how many weight loss rules you are following if you have endocrine disease. They won’t work if your hormones are messed up. It sounds like you are doing all the right things!
In 2005, I began gaining weight in spite of the fact that I was eating healthy and exercising regularly. I became very discouraged, especially since I could not pinpoint a cause for the sudden weight gain. I had my thyroid tested and underwent other tests as well. According to the tests, all was well. I was relieved, but still perplexed. Then, one day I heard about the Master Cleanse. I researched the cleanse and its simplicity intrigued me. I was uncertain whether I’d be able to drink the “lemonade” concoction for 10 days, but I was willing to try. Peter Glickman’s book was wonderful. Every time I had a question…and I had many, I could find the answer in his book. It was like a manual. During the cleanse, my night sweats ceased, my acne cleared up and my allergy symptoms went away. I was so excited about the results I acheived after 10 days, that I went six extra days. As a result, I have lost over 20 lbs. and kept it off. My body simply craved better foods after the cleanse and I didn’t argue with it. I will probably do this cleanse quarterly for the rest of my life and recommend it to anyone “willing” to try it.
Pam Grout’s book “Jumpstart Your Metabolism” has been instrumental in helping me quit smoking, and for that reason alone, I consider it a lifesaver. I had been thinking of quitting forever, of course, but I let the old standby concerns get in my way — most notably, “what if I gain weight?” Following the program in Ms. Grout’s book, I didn’t just maintain my weight, I lost some. But the best, and almost miraculous thing of all is that I gained an energy I don’t believe I’ve ever had before….not even as a kid! I highly recommend this book and the program outlined in it. An added bonus is Ms. Grout’s writing style, which is both accessible and humorous. A pleasure to read.
Two of my friends recommended this, as THE BEST way to do “Spring Cleaning” on their bodies’ internal houses. They do it Quaterly (with the seasons - good way to remember, it is time), through out the year.
GREAT for Seniors, like me,
Mr. C.Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days, Second Edition
As a girl with self-control and overeating problems, I thought it was absolutely impossible for me to not eat for ten days. I found that this program was much easier to stick to than I originally thought; if at any time I was in doubt of the healthiness of not eating for so long, I would consult this book and it’s partner online bulletin board. These sources provided me with the answers to all the questions I could possibly have.
Since doing my first cleanse with the aid of Glickman’s book over 18 months ago I have done the cleanse 3 times. I have just completed my longest cleanse, which was 20 days long, and every time I finish I feel like a new person. Even if you don’t think you can do it, buy the book and try; it won’t hurt! Make the commitment to yourself and your body and go without food for ten measly days. (Just make sure you allot 13 days to ease yourself back onto solid food. Good luck and happy cleansing!
I love the book, and Suzanne is great. I have seen others lose weight with it, but, NoT ME! Personally, I think the book should center more on what other varieties of foods can be eaten by “regular” people - not all this fancy stuff. I don’t cook that way. Also, I think it should focus on people’s questions more, rather than just the basics. There are those of us out there that need more questions answered when we run into problems like I’m having. What if you this…and how come that… should be included and also…. substitutions for this and alternates for that. These are valid questions when you’re on a diet. And what about weight loss expectancy, including what if you GAIN?… Anyone having this problem but ME? Keep up the good work Suzanne, but we need a 3rd book with more details. I’ll be waiting to read it. Thanks.
I have read both of Suzanne Somer’s books: Eat Great Lose Weight and Get Skinny on Fabulous Food. Both books are always on my kitchen counter ready for me to skim through for another fabulous recipe. I have suffered from migraine headaches for years and learning how to combine the right foods have made my headaches disappear.
Ever notice how carrying a book or any actual written guidance can help you succeed with your goal? The same goes for the Master Cleanse aka Lemonade Diet. I have done the cleanse and it gives unbelievable results if you give your full will and strength to complete it. I am buying the book for my mother who is on so many anti-depressant meds, sleeping pills, you name it only to be in a constant fog with complaints about her weight.
The Cleanse helped me break my food and alcohol addiction by realizing I don’t need anything to change my mood, I can be pure and happy. I hope this book will act as a solid guidance and be clutched for 10 days as a means of physical and mental support to guide my mother through to personal freedom and purity of mind and body.
Two of my friends recommended this, as THE BEST way to do “Spring Cleaning” on their bodies’ internal houses. They do it Quaterly (with the seasons - good way to remember, it is time), through out the year.
GREAT for Seniors, like me,
Mr. C.Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days, Second Edition
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