Phaseolus vulgaris for weight loss

More than one billion human adults worldwide are overweight [8]. Obesity has not only been an image and self esteem problem for those suffering it, it has also other resultant health hazards which include diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, all worldwide medical problems [4]. In spite control of diet and exercise are cornerstones of the management of excess weight, researchers have been also investigating other ways to control weight, the research into products that slow the absorption of carbohydrates through the inhibition of enzymes responsible for their digestion [4]. Among some of them we have the so-called alpha-amylase and glucosidase inhibitors.

The common white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) produces an alpha-amylase inhibitors or starch blockers, which have been characterized and tested in numerous clinical studies [4], demonstrating their ability to cause weight loss with doses of 500 to 3000 mg per day, in either a single dose or in divided doses [4].

PHASEOLUS VULGARIS

Family: Phabaceae
Genus: Phaseolus
Common name: Common bean, White bean, Bean tabera.

PHASEOLUS VULGARIS FOR WEIGHT LOSS

The alpha-amylase inhibitors produced by the common white bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, the so-called "starch blockers" are listed among natural weight loss supplements [8] and have been proven to exert weight loss properties.

In a study on this subject, a dietary supplement containing 445 mg of Phaseolus vulgaris extract was administered to 60 pre-selected, slightly overweight volunteers. After 30 days, subjects receiving Phaseolus vulgaris extract with a carbohydrate-rich, 2000- to 2200-calorie diet had significantly 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, which indicates that Phaseolus vulgaris extract produces significant decrements in body weight and suggest decrements in fat mass in the face of maintained lean body mass [8].

Doctors recommend the daily intake of legumes is that they are incredibly good for our health, mainly because they contain an incredibly big number of active constituents, some of them with important chemopreventive properties, as for example the polyphenolic compounds found in most of them.

OTHER PROPERTIES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS

LECTIN AND HUMAN HEPATOMA (LIVER CANCER)

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In a very recent study published by the School of Biomedical Sciences[1], scientists of that University discovered how a lectin present in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), exhibited a very selective toxicity to human hepatoma G2 cells, not causing a significant toxicity on other normal liver cells. The study unveils a potential use of this specific lectin found in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), as an anti-tumor compound that may help in future to fight liver cancer by fighting human hepatoma cells (G2).

Warning and disclaimer

REFERENCES:

[1] A new Phaseolus vulgaris lectin induces selective toxicity on human liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells. Fang EF, Pan WL, Wong JH, Chan YS, Ye XJ, Ng TB. School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.

[2] Influence of potent antioxidant leguminosae family plant extracts on growth and antioxidant defense system of Hep2 cancer cell line.
Spanou C, Stagos D, Aligiannis N, Kouretas D.
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

[3] A proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): a review of clinical studies on weight loss and glycemic control.
Barrett ML, Udani JK.
Medicus Research LLC, Northridge, CA 91325, USA.

[4] A proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): a review of clinical studies on weight loss and glycemic control.
Barrett ML, Udani JK.
Medicus Research LLC, Northridge, CA 91325, USA.

[5] Sucrose co-administration reduces the toxic effect of lectin on gut permeability and intestinal bacterial colonization.
Ramadass B, Dokladny K, Moseley PL, Patel YR, Lin HC.
Section of Gastroenterology, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM, USA.

[6] Determination of alpha-amylase inhibitor activity of phaseolamin from kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in dietary supplements by HPAEC-PAD.
Mosca M, Boniglia C, Carratù B, Giammarioli S, Nera V, Sanzini E.
National Center for Food Quality and Risk Assessment-Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.

[7] Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using a proprietary fractionated white bean extract.
Udani J, Singh BB.
University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.

[8] A Dietary supplement containing standardized Phaseolus vulgaris extract influences body composition of overweight men and women.
Celleno L, Tolaini MV, D'Amore A, Perricone NV, Preuss HG.
Cosmetic Research Center, dell'Università Cattolica di Roma, Rome, Italy.

[9] Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using Phase 2 brand proprietary fractionated white bean extract.
Udani J, Hardy M, Madsen DC.
UCLA School of Medicine, Integrative Medicine Program, Northridge Hospital, 8250 Roscoe Blvd, Suite 240, Northridge, CA 91325, USA.