Question:
Is it okay to take OTC carbohydrate blockers

I heard that some people take a OTC carbo blocker to help with blocking some of the carbohydrates that they are eating. Wouldn't this hurt you with your malabsorbtion, or just a waste of your money. Has anyone taking any of these? Do they help to get over a plateau?    — Toni W. (posted on September 18, 2003)

September 18, 2003
I really don't know anything about how these carbohydrate blockers supposedly work, but they sound like snake oil to me. I think you're way better off to just limit the amount of refined carbohydrates you take in rather than try to block their absorption once you've eaten them. That doesn't sound like a good long-term eating habit to me, and who knows what damage you might be causing.
   — Vespa R.

September 18, 2003
I asked my surgeon about these and he said that there is no scientific evidence that they work and that they do carry some dangerous side effects. His advice was to stay completely away from them.
   — Patty_Butler