Jury Still Out on Carb Blocker Claims

The claim about carb blocker diet pills is that you can maintain your regular eating habits and lose weight because the calories from the carbohydrates (carbs) have been "blocked." Apparently the carb blocker will hinder the breakdown of carbohydrates or starches into sugar and prevent sugar from being converted into fat. Hence, the carb blocker causes excess carbs to pass out of the body instead of being stored as fat, which means, yes, you can lose weight even though you don't change your eating habits - or so it is alleged.

The problem is that there are no mainstream clinical studies to support the statement that a carb blocker will be successful in the long term (three to five years), or that most people could stand to use such a substance indefinitely. Short-term use can show results that will appeal to you if eating in moderation isn't your style and providing you can tolerate the discomfort.

Here's what is likely to happen if you take a carb blocker. You can expect to be plagued with gas, bloating, and possibly diarrhea, which is quite a price to pay for weight loss. You have to decide if the discomfort is bearable, and if it isn't and you give up the carb blocker, any weight you've lost is likely to return.

There is no substitute for sensible eating and regular exercise. Taking carb blocker diet pills is an extreme response to a desire to shed pounds.