How does Phase 2 work

By Sam Jennings

During the digestive process your body converts carbohydrates into glucose a type of sugar, which is absorbed through the intestine into the blood stream. These sugar calories are either burnt off, through exercise, or stored as fat cells for future use.

Phase 2 inhibits the absorption of carbohydrates found in starch based foods. Starch is the name for carbohydrates from plant based sources and is found in foods such as crisps, potatoes, chips, pasta and pizza.

The body breaks down starch based carbohydrates by using an enzyme called alpha amylase, which is produced in the saliva and pancreas. The enzyme works like a pair of biological scissors. It snips the long chain of glucose units which form starch based carbohydrates into single glucose units which are easily absorbed through the intestine into the blood stream as sugars.

Phase 2, by blocking the action of alpha-amylase, prevents the conversion of starch into glucose. Therefore the carbohydrates from crisps, potatoes, chips, pasta and pizza pass through the intestine as extra fibre and never become a source of glucose.

The supplement has to be taken 15 minutes before a starchy meal to have its effect. The research suggests that the optimum amount is 1000mg or two capsules of Phase 2 before each meal containing starch based carbohydrates.

Last updated: 02 June 2006

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