FBCx (fat binding complexer) is the brand name for a dietary fiber that binds with dietary fat, preventing its absorption as it passes through the system.

Developed by two researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit who subsequently acquired rights to the the technology, it is now marketed by a company they formed, ArtJen Complexus Holdings, which describes how it works as follows:

"FBCx, in the presence of water, forms a very stable complex with triglyceride. This stable complex prevents lipase from breaking down the triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides, thus preventing their absorption.

"Unlike the pharmaceutical orlistat, the complexed and bound fat passes into the large intestine. The microbes in the large intestine are also prevented from the rapid metabolism of the fat. Thus, there are no unwanted side effects like diarrhea. Consequently, there is no need to go onto a low-calorie or fat-free diet as is recommended with orlistat. The FBCx-fat complex is eventually passed unnoticed in the feces."

A small clinical trial of FBCx involving 60 obese patients with type 2 diabetes was reported on at the 2005 American Diabetes Association scientific meeting by Dr. George Grunberger, who heads the Grunberger Diabetes Institute in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

In the trial, 30 of the patients took 2 FBCx pills with each of their meals and the other 30 took 2 placebos with each meal. They were instructed not to change their lifestyle or diet during the study. At the end of a month, researchers said those on FBCx had lost a little more than three pounds, while those getting the placebo had fained almost three pounds.

"The differences between the 2 groups are statistically significant," Grunberger said. "Dietary recall did not reveal any difference between the 2 groups in total energy and fat intake. Even in the absence of dietary restrictions, FBCx enhances weight loss, and improves blood lipid levels in obese patients with type 2 diabetes."