Alpha-Fibe FBCx®

Alpha-Fibe FBCx (fat-binding complexer) was developed by researchers at WayneStateUniversity, Detroit, using a soluble fiber, alpha-dextrin, derived from corn. The product works by binding dietary fat in the stomach, thereby preventing absorption into the bloodstream; it can actually bind nine times its own weight in dietary fat.

Researchers Joseph D. Artiss, Ph.D., and K-L Catherine Jen, Ph.D., explained: “It appears that as fat, triglyceride, is released from food in the stomach, FBCx forms a very stable emulsion or complex with it. This emulsion appears to remain intact as the fat-FBCx complex passes through the GI tract. … There are no unwanted GI side effects with FBCx because the fat remains complexed as it passes through the large bowel.” ¹

This stimulant-free product promotes gradual, healthy weight loss of approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds per week without exercise or dietary changes. Pre-clinical work by the Wayne State team found weight loss in the range of 5 to 8 pounds per month; preliminary data found decreased leptin levels and increases in satiety. In their first double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 25 female and 26 male obese adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited. ² For three months, patients took two 1 g tablets with their three regular meals. While patients were instructed not to change their diet, those on the active treatment consumed more calories but saw no weight gain; however, the placebo patients gained weight at rates consistent with those leading up to the study. A second clinical trial in 66 obese type 2 diabetics, with similar protocol, revealed similar findings with patients in the FBCx group requiring more energy to maintain weight, showing an 8.2 percent reduction in total cholesterol and an increase in adiponectin levels. ³

In addition to its impact on body weight, FBCx helps to lower levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. In one study, coordinated by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Lipid Metabolism Section, mice that were genetically unable to eliminate cholesterol were provided with FBCx at a level of 10 percent of the amount of fat in the diet or a control diet. ⁴ After 10 weeks, the cholesterol levels in animals receiving FBCx were 13.3 percent lower than the control animals. In addition, the decrease occurred in the LDL cholesterol fraction. Similar findings were reported by the WayneState researchers in their clinical trial, with an 8 percent decline in total cholesterol in hypertriglyceridemic patients, compared to a 6.7 percent increase in patients on placebo. ⁵ Similar changes were noted in both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Use of FBCx also helps to raise levels of adiponectin, increasing insulin sensitivity, and bolsters leptin sensitivity, which enhances satiety. Researchers from the University of South Australia, Adelaide, conducted a double blind, randomized, crossover trial in 10 healthy subjects, providing them with white rice containing 50 g of carbohydrate with 0, 2, 5 or 10 g of alpha-cyclodextrin. ⁶ The area under the plasma glucose curve was negatively related to the dose of alpha-cyclodextrin, with significant reduction at the 5 and 10 g doses; higher doses of the ingredient resulted in greater satiety.

FBCx is covered under U.S. patent (No. 6,890,549) and has been patented in several other countries, including Australia, Singapore, Russia, South Africa, Korea and Morocco. Bio-Form Essentials USA is the exclusive agent for FBCx, and developed a comprehensive marketing strategy including media exposure (with a story on ABC News), direct response campaigns and broadened retail distribution.

References

1. Bariatrics Today . 2006;1:40-43.

2. Obes Res . 2005;13:A120.

3. Diabetes Metab Res Rev . 2007;23(1):56-62.

4. Experimental Biology, Washington, D.C., April 30, 2007.

5. Obes Res . Op cit .

6. Ann Nutr Metab . 2006;50:108-114.

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