Do Fat Blockers Really Work?
Just as we have products claiming to block the absorption of carbohydrate calories into the body, we also have those that claim to block the absorption of fat. Is there any more hope for these products? Do they actually "block" fat?
Again, the evidence does not support such claims.
Most fat blocker products contain something called "chitosan" (an extract of the shells of crustaceans). A recent study (Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Sep;28(9):1149-56) on the effects of chitosan concluded...
"In this 24-week trial, chitosan treatment did not result in a clinically significant loss of body weight compared with placebo."
Other studies, including one conducted by Dr. Judy Stern of the University of California, Davis, concluded much the same thing.
Chitosan may be able to positively effect cholesterol levels, but so far, research into its abilities to do so are inconclusive.
Given the shoddy evidence supporting Chitosan's fat burning claims, it is not surprising to find that the U.S. FTC has acted against many retailers of such product, citing them for making false and unsubstantiated claims (for an example of such actions...
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/08/pvt.htm )
Bottom line?
Chitosan based fat blockers can hardly be described as a rip-roaring success. And despite what you may think, a pill that indiscriminately blocks fat is not necessarily a good idea. Certain vitamins (E,A,D,F,K) are fat-soluble, and extended Chitosan use could lead to deficiencies in them. Fat too, of course, is required for optimum bodily health, especially the Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Again, if Chitosan was a viable fat blocker, it would block these vital fats as well. Keep in mind too, that for those individuals who really do require a fat blocker, prescritpion options (i.e. Xenical -- click here for a review of Xenical), do exist.
Again, the evidence does not support such claims.
Most fat blocker products contain something called "chitosan" (an extract of the shells of crustaceans). A recent study (Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Sep;28(9):1149-56) on the effects of chitosan concluded...
"In this 24-week trial, chitosan treatment did not result in a clinically significant loss of body weight compared with placebo."
Other studies, including one conducted by Dr. Judy Stern of the University of California, Davis, concluded much the same thing.
Chitosan may be able to positively effect cholesterol levels, but so far, research into its abilities to do so are inconclusive.
Given the shoddy evidence supporting Chitosan's fat burning claims, it is not surprising to find that the U.S. FTC has acted against many retailers of such product, citing them for making false and unsubstantiated claims (for an example of such actions...
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/08/pvt.htm )
Bottom line?
Chitosan based fat blockers can hardly be described as a rip-roaring success. And despite what you may think, a pill that indiscriminately blocks fat is not necessarily a good idea. Certain vitamins (E,A,D,F,K) are fat-soluble, and extended Chitosan use could lead to deficiencies in them. Fat too, of course, is required for optimum bodily health, especially the Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Again, if Chitosan was a viable fat blocker, it would block these vital fats as well. Keep in mind too, that for those individuals who really do require a fat blocker, prescritpion options (i.e. Xenical -- click here for a review of Xenical), do exist.
posted by ultimatefatburner at 1:36 PM
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