Botanical Aspects of Phaseolus vulgaris

Common names: Common bean, White Kidney bean - Phaseolus vulgaris belongs to the botanical family of Leguminosae. It is a sub-erect or twining annual herb, native of tropical America and now grown extensively throughout the warm regions of the world. The kidney beans leaves are trifoliate; flowers white to violet-purple; pods slender, 10-26 cm long, straight or slightly curved, the surface glabrous or faintly pubescent, the beak prominent. Seeds are more or less kidney shaped, elongated or nearly globular, or somewhat compressed; white, red, purple blackish or mottled in appearance.

Varieties of the white common bean have been classified variously; some classifications are based on morphological characters of the plant, pod and seeds, while others are based on their mode of use.

Phytochemistry
The seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris contain an inhibitor of alpha-amylase. This alpha amylase inhibitor is identified in the protein fraction of the bean. This protein binds with the active sites of alpha- amylase and prevents the starch metabolizing activity; hence it is also called  “Starch Blocker” or “Carbohydrate blocker”.

The alpha-amylase inhibitor from Phaseolus vulgaris is a protein composed of two glycosylated protomers of 30 kDa, which are cleaved into two polypeptides of 16 and 14 kDa, respectively.

Mechanism of “carbohydrate blocking” action
The alpha-amylase inhibitors are also called “Carbo blockers” and these compounds are not directly involved in the weight loss process. However, the carbo blockers are indirectly helpful in weight loss due to inhibition of sugar assimilation, through inhibiting starch breakdown. With reduced amount of amylase available for break down, the complex carbohydrate has a better chance of travelling through the body without being assimilated, and is eventually excreted from the body instead of being converted into storage fat. An animal model study revealed that amylase inhibitors alter the amount and pattern of food intake and reduce weight gain probably through inducing satiety and increasing carbohydrate delivery to the distal (farthest) part of the small intestine in rats.

Health benefits of carbohydrate blockers
An alpha-amylase inhibitor inhibits the digestion of starch and carbohydrates thereby potentially improving postprandial carbohydrate tolerance in people with low glucose tolerance. As excess dietary carbohydrate is metabolized to fat; inhibition of carbohydrate digestion may help in weight management as well.

A partially purified white bean amylase inhibitor was found to reduce starch digestion and inactivate intraduodenal amylase in humans by 94 to 99.9%.16 The authors of this study reported that perfusion of the partially purified inhibitor (2.0, 3.5 or 5 mg/ml at the rate of 5 ml/min) into the duodenum of humans rapidly inhibited alpha-amylase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitor also inactivated intralieal and salivary amylase in vitro studies. Additionally, the specific activity of the inhibitor was not affected by exposure to gastric juice and was only minimally affected by exposure to duodenal juice.

In studies in normal subjects and in patients with diabetes mellitus, a purified amylase inhibitor from beans was found to exert a “starch blockade” effect. In comparison with the placebo, ingestion of this inhibitor with 50 g starch substantially reduced post-prandial increases in plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin in both normal subjects and those with diabetes.

www.altacare.com

Overweight during holidays? Get back on track

Welcome back! Your friends have just given you a warm welcome from your holidays; you are telling them how you enjoyed yourself; the beautiful places you have visited; the mouth watering delicacy you have tasted, the delicious food you have eaten, and obviously the extra kilos you have discovered on peeping half-heartedly at the mirror on returning home. It’s only normal that on returning from the holidays the bathroom-scales will cause some alarm. Even though you may feel less stressed and have even managed to stick to a correct and varied diet, it is still possible that your figure has gone astray.

Back to resolutions: as from tomorrow a strict diet and off to the gym! Great! Even though more than a month will be necessary to recover the perfect figure you had the very first day you strolled down to the beach this summer. Losing weight will entail sacrifices, ways and means, and time, which is not always available when returning home from the holidays.

ALTA CARE Laboratoires has launched on the market ALTADRINE Fat Burning Tablets.  Extracts of Citrus aurantium (synephrine) and Guarana` (caffeine) help in the burning of fat deposits in a natural way. Yes……we are talking of fat deposits. A correct and varied diet may help you in stopping the accumulation of further kilos, but not the elimination of the fat deposits accumulated during the holidays. Eliminating this excess is nowadays very simple. The alternatives range from physical exercise – so if you intend going to the gym by all means do so – to having some food supplement that will help you recover your correct weight. ALTADRINE Fat Burner Tablets is the solution to your problem; it’s a specific product that contains extracts that are capable of burning your surplus fat while producing an energy available for all the body. The active ingredients are in fact capable of acting directly on fatty cells, stimulating the metabolism of the fat and reducing those fats that make you look away from a mirror. Combining ALTADRINE Fat Burner Tablets with a well-balanced and varied diet, and maybe even some sport, will definitely speed up the process of fat-burning, and thus recover within a short time the figure that is to your liking.

If sacrifices send shivers down your spine and if  time is not available for sport; or if the sporting activity is not enough to lose weight quickly, ALTADRINE Fat Burner will be of enormous help. Two tablets a day (morning and evening) with a large glass of water for 21 days will be enough to obtain the first results; then if necessary repeat the cycle after a pause of seven days. Bid farewell to your guilt conscience; during the holiday you have satisfied your appetite and desires. Great! That’s what holidays are for.

Now get hold of a box of ALTADRINE Fat Burner and a glass of water, and even if you have no intention of going to the gym, ALTA CARE Laboratoires still recommends a well-balanced and varied diet in order to obtain the best results in the shortest time possible.

For more information visit: www.altacare.com

Get in Shape in Time for Christmas with Altadrine Fat Burner

Christmas is just around the corner! You and your friends are making plans for the festivities…what to wear and what not to wear.  You have already spotted the dress of your dreams, but there is a problem…how to get in it!  With just a couple of weeks to go it seems already impossible to control your weight and yet you will be tempted once again to eat more during the festivities!  Not to mention the alcohol intake.. However Altadrine can keep your weight under control…

ALTA CARE Laboratoires has launched on the market ALTADRINE Fat Burning Tablets.  Extracts of Citrus aurantium (synephrine) and Guarana` (caffeine) help in the burning of body fat deposits in a natural way. Yes……we are talking of body fat deposits. A correct and varied diet may help you in stopping the accumulation of further kilos, but not the elimination of the fat deposits accumulated during the holidays. Eliminating this excess is nowadays very simple. The alternatives range from physical exercise – so if you intend going to the gym by all means do so – to having some food supplement that will help you recover your correct weight. ALTADRINE Fat Burner Tablets is the solution to your problem; it’s a specific product that contains extracts that are capable of burning your surplus fat while producing an energy available for all the body. The active ingredients are in fact capable of acting directly on fatty cells, stimulating the metabolism of the fat into energy and reducing those fats that make you look away from a mirror. Combining ALTADRINE Fat Burner Tablets with a well-balanced and varied diet, and maybe even some sport, will definitely speed up the process of fat-burning, and thus recover within a short time the figure that is to your liking.

If sacrifices send shivers down your spine and if  time is not available for sport; or if the sporting activity is not enough to lose weight quickly, ALTADRINE Fat Burner will be of enormous help. Two tablets a day (morning and evening) with a large glass of water for 21 days will be enough to obtain the first results; then if necessary repeat the cycle after a pause of seven days.

Now get hold of a box of ALTADRINE Fat Burner and a glass of water, and even if you have no intention of going to the gym, ALTA CARE Laboratoires still recommends a well-balanced and varied diet in order to obtain the best results in the shortest time possible.

For more information visit: www.altacare.com

Want to lose weight the Cabbage Soup Diet Way?...It's easier the Altadrine way!

The Altadrine Soup diet is an all-you-can-eat Altadrine Soup diet, and the more soup you eat, the more fat you burn. Altadrine Soup is included within a relatively easy one week programme which makes one enjoy the pleasure of the palate without limiting the quantities!  Unlike most diets, this diet is not based on depriving yourself of food.  On the contrary: whenever you feel like it, savour a bowl of Altadrine Soup which will rid your body of all that congests it, starting with undesirable fats.

The diet’s soup, Altadrine, by Alta Care Laboratoires - Paris, contains negligible calories, so one does not have to worry about losing weight.  In addition, Altadrine Soup is highly nutritious, containing 100% fresh organic vegetables cultivated in France, with a high content of minerals and active substances in a fibre base. 

Altadrine Soup comes in a 300g airtight tin; no additives, colouring agents or taste enhancers have been added.  Altadrine Soup’s taste is completely neutral…so as to suit every individual.  Another advantage of Altadrine Soup is that it’s so fast and easy to make!  No boiling of vegetables, no cooking, no mess!  Simply mix 5 teaspoons in 400ml of boiling water and since the soup tastes neutral one can spice it to one’s heart’s desires (salt, curry etc.)…and pronto!

The basics:
You may begin the day with unsweetened tea or black coffee.  Drink as much water as you can (one to two litres is highly recommended) throughout the rest of the day. 

All day long, morning, lunch time and evening, consume as much soup as you want; along with the permitted food day after day.

Absolutely forbidden:
Avoid bread, alcohol, sweetened drinks, fried foods and savoury snacks at all costs…

Allowed:
Black unsweetened coffee, unsweetened tea, unsweetened fruit juice once a week, skimmed milk once a week, spices, herbs, lemon juice and vinegar for seasoning.

DAY ONE
At the start of your day, have your coffee or tea (unsweetened).  All day long, as often as you wish throughout the day, eat plenty of Altadrine Soup.  You can also eat all the fruits you desire, except for bananas.  Don’t deprive yourself; no limit on quantity is imposed on your appetite.

TIP: One can take 10ml Altadrine syrup for better draining.

DAY TWO
As usual, for every day, begin with your tea or coffee, and feel free to consume whatever amounts of Altadrine Soup your heart desires.  Vegetables are on the menu for today.  Eat as many vegetables as you like; they can be raw, fresh, cooked…but never fried!  The only exceptions are kidney beans, peas and corn.  Leafy vegetables are recommended.  You may season your vegetables with lemon juice, vinegar, dried or fresh herbs…but no oil.

In the evening, for a treat, you may eat a small jacket potato with a bit of margarine along with your bowl of Altadrine Soup.

TIP: If you are lacking energy 10m

l Altasterol syrup might come in handy.

DAY THREE
Tea or coffee….and plenty of Altadrine Soup all day long.   The third day consists of mixing the diet of the first two days, excluding the jacket potato.  Don’t forget to drink as much water as you can!

TIP: If you are irritable or have trouble getting to sleep, combine with 10ml Controller syrup.

DAY FOUR
Wake up with a cup of coffee or unsweetened tea; and eat your Altadrine Soup throughout the day.  The fourth day is ‘banana day’, and you can eat between 3 and 8 bananas.  The bananas will provide you with indispensable carbohydrates.  On this day, skimmed milk or cheese made with skimmed milk is also brought in because of the proteins and calcium they contain.  Allow yourself a small piece of cheese (made with skimmed milk) or a half-pint of skimmed milk.

TIP:  One may have 10ml Altadrine syrup for internal cleansing

DAY FIVE
As usual…tea or coffee and plenty of Altadrine Soup.  You may eat up to 300g of grilled beef and 6 fresh tomatoes.

For those who do not eat meat, help yourself to a 300g of fish instead.

TIP : Restore your salts and flora with Altaflora Electrolytes capsules.

DAY SIX

At the start of your day, have your coffee or tea (unsweetened).  All day long, as often as you wish throughout the day, eat plenty of Altadrine Soup.  Grilled beef steak again for today!  The beef or fish should be accompanied by leafy vegetables.

You may eat three steaks throughout the day, according to your appetite.

TIP : If you do not like meat you can give your body the essential amino acids by combining 10ml Altasterol syrup.

DAY SEVEN
Last day!  Have your usual tea or coffee, and Altadrine Soup every time you feel famished.  Eat as much brown rice and green vegetables as you want.

In order to slim without upsetting the body, one must give it the elements that are indispensable for it without which it would be obliged to use up its own reserves giving rise to fatigue, lack of vitality, short-temperedness, irritability, and, if we push it too far, disease.

Altadrine Soup ensures that the body is getting all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins when one is on a weight loss diet, especially a low calorie diet; as people tend to skimp out on vital nutrients when limiting their calorie intake.

TIP : Continue to include Altadrine soup even after these seven days to keep a balanced and varied diet.

So indulge in Altadrine Soup…the more you eat, the more you burn!

for more information: CLICK HERE

or

Email: alta@altacare.com

http://www.altacare.com