White Kidney Bean Extract can be used as part of a weight loss program. Originating from South America where it is native to Peru among other places the bean has obviously been eaten for thousands of years. As part of a proper weight loss programme it is said, by some manufacturers of weight loss supplements, to be more efficacious than Ephedrine HCL at promoting fat loss. There are considered to be no known side effects. It works by blocking the absorption of starch into sugar therefore lowering the calorific impact of eating starch rich foods such as pasta, bread and rice. By reducing the sugars absorbed the body has less calories to store as body fat.