Phase 2, from the manufacturer’s website, is “an amazing, non-stimulant, all-natural nutritional ingredient that is derived from the white kidney bean. It is the first nutritional ingredient that has been clinically & scientifically proven to neutralize starch, found in in your favorite foods such as potatoes, breads, pasta. rice, corn and crackers.”

Basically, it blocks calories from starch.

Is there research to back it up? Yes (as an aside, when companies are formed around single ingredients, you can almost always count on research being present to back it up — you then just need to make sure the research is up to par):

The study results at 8 weeks demonstrated that the active (Phase2) group lost an average of 3.79 pounds total (average of 0.47 pounds per week) compared with the placebo group which lost an average of 1.65 pounds total (average of 0.21 pounds per week). The difference is 129% with a p-value of 0.35. Subjects in the Phase2 group decreased their waist size by an average of 1.46 inches at 8 weeks, which was 36% greater than the placebo group which lost an average of 1.07 inches off their waist (p=0.43). Energy level, as measured by a 10-point Likert scale, increased by 13%, from 4.8 to 6.2, in the Phase2 group, and did not change at all in the placebo group (p=0.20). Triglyceride levels in the Phase2 group were reduced by an average of 26.3 mg/dl, which was 224% more than the 8.1mg/dl drop seen in the placebo group (p=0.07). Several secondary test parameters, including hip size, body fat, appetite control, hunger, HbA1C and total cholesterol were also measured. None of these secondary outcomes demonstrated statistically significant differences between groups. ((http://www.phase2info.com/clin_studies/study_starchtrial.asp))

They only lost about two pounds more than the placebo group, but about a half inch of their waist, so that’s pretty solid.

The Phase 2 group had significantly lower plasma glucose at 60 minutes and almost significantly lower glucose at 45 minutes. The area of the curve (area above the baseline which is 0 to 62 minutes for Phase 2 and 0 to 80 minutes for the control), which represents glucose absorption and metabolism, was 66% smaller with Phase 2. ((http://www.phase2info.com/clin_studies/study_vivoeffect.asp))

This second study showed lower glucose levels, which means that less glucose (starch) was being absorbed by subjects using Phase 2.

You can read more on the Phase 2 site, but overall, I’m impressed. The research was done by independent third parties (mainly at universities) and, while not groundbreaking, it shows promise. If a diet pill contains Phase 2? That’s a good thing.