KEARNY, N.J.Phaseolus vulgaris extract (Phase 2 Carb Controller from Pharmachem Labs) produced significant decreases in body weight and waist size after one month of use in a new study (J Appl Res, Vol.10, No.2 , 2010). The study found those who took the supplement, a specialized extract of a fraction of the  white bean, lost significantly more body weight and waist girth at the end of the first 30 days and at the end of the trial than did those in the placebo group. Additionally, body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly more after the first and second month in the supplement group compared to the placebo group.

The 101 subject, 60-day protocol included an active group of 51 subjects who consumed the supplements, which contain 445 mg of Phaseolus vulgaris extract, and a placebo group of 50 subjects. The volunteers in both groups were slightly overweight, but the weight had been essentially stable for at least six months.

After 30 days, subjects receiving Phase 2 Carb Controller with a carbohydrate-rich, 2,000- to 2,200-calorie diet had significantly (P<0.001) greater reduction of body weight, BMI, fat mass, adipose tissue thickness and waist/hip/ thigh circumferences while maintaining lean body mass compared to subjects receiving placebo. Almost all (47 of 51) of the subjects in the supplement group lost weight (92 percent) after two months, compared to 31 in the placebo group (62 percent). The average weight loss in the supplement group was 1.9 kg compared to a 0.4 kg loss in the placebo group.

According to the researchers, the mechanism behind the weight loss associated with consuming this bean extract relies on alpha-amylase-inhibiting activity. Phaseolus vulgaris extract has been shown in vitro to inhibit the activity of alpha-amylase, and may help promote weight loss by interfering with the digestion of complex carbohydrate to simple, absorbable sugars, potentially reducing carbohydrate-derived calories. Before crossing the intestinal wall, all complex carbohydrates (i.e., starches) must be hydrolyzed to their monosaccharide units, in most cases glucose. There are several enzymes involved in this process alpha-amylase present in saliva and pancreatic juice, which converts complex carbohydrate into oligosaccharides, and various other enzymes (maltase, lactase, etc.) present in the brush border of the small intestine that convert these oligosaccharides to monosaccharides that can then be absorbed."