Do 'Starch Blockers' Work?

POSTED: 1:52 p.m. EDT June 30, 2003

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MIAMI -- Americans spend $43 billion a year on products to help them lose weight -- and one of the latest products eating up dieters dollars are called "starch blockers."

The popularity of protein diets has turned carbohydrates into culinary criminals for many. But what if you could indulge in things like pasta, without worrying about its impact on your weight?

Can a supplement really allow you to eat carbohydrate rich foods without worrying about weight gain?

Dr. Steven Rosenblatt says. "You know, the Atkins diet, these high protein diets, are very effective, research shows that, but very hard to stay on."

Rosenblatt says starch blockers make it easier, and he says they are easy to use.

He says you just take two capsules or flavored chews with starch containing meals and those carbohydrate calories won't stick.

It sounds great, but not everyone agrees.

Dr. Robert Kramer an expert in gastroenterology and nutrition at the University of Miami said, "The studies I've seen thus far have not supported that these are really effective."

Kramer reviewed half a dozen studies done on carbohydrate blockers.

He said, "Five of them came to the conclusion that it was not effective in either rats or humans. It did not result in any significant weight loss."

Rosenblatt says those studies were done on old formulations. He says what makes today's carbohydrate blockers different is an ingredient called Phase Two starch neutralizer.

"Phase two is a refined extract and form that is safe and effective," Rosenblatt says.

Until a study supporting that claim is published and peer reviewed, Kramer remains skeptical and he says so should consumers.

"I think that you need to take any advice with a grain of salt in seeing what could potentially be the financial interest of the person proposing that treatment strategy," Kramer said.

It's important to note that even proponents of starch blockers say they can't work alone to help you lose weight -- you need to cut back on how much you eat and exercise.