KEARNY, NJ--(Marketwired - Sep 29, 2015) - Call it human nature, but starting in fall and throughout winter, most people can't resist indulging in carb-loaded foods. While it is unknown exactly why this urge occurs, it may be a trait leftover from our pre-historic ancestors to store extra energy as a survival, hibernation technique for harsh winters, or simply spawned by a childhood memory of warm cookies and coco during the holidays. More seriously, craving foods high in carbohydrates could be a warning sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Whatever the case may be, metabolic expert, James LaValle, says there are tools you can use to winterize your body and survive the season without the weight gain. At the top on his list is a nutritional ingredient called, Phase 2 white kidney bean extract.

"Despite our best intentions, even when people try to cut portions of unhealthy foods during the holidays, they still overeat them, which can disrupt normal glucose metabolism, but there's a way to manage it so you don't spike your glucose as much," said LaValle, author of more than 20 books including, "Cracking the Metabolic Code," and "Your Blood Never Lies." "Taking a proprietary white kidney bean extract, called Phase 2 (known as: Phaseolus vulgaris), reduces the digestion and absorption of starch in carb-loaded foods like breads, pastas, cereals, potatoes, rice, stuffing, corn and other grains, without significantly affecting essential nutrients and with no side effects."

LaValle recommends Phase 2, because it is the only white kidney bean extract backed by numerous clinical studies for efficacy. Studies show taking one or two capsules before a meal can block up to 65 percent of unwanted carbohydrates and when used as part of a calorie deficit diet, it gave better results for weight loss than dieting alone. In a double-blind, 123-participant study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Obesity, participants taking Phase 2 lost an average of 7 pounds in 12 weeks in addition to significant loss of body fat mass and waist circumference compared to the placebo group. Additionally, 73.5 percent of participants maintained their body weight for 24 weeks and reported decreased desire in sugary food cravings (www.phase2info.com). Phase 2 can be found in numerous carb-blocking nutritional supplements including: Natrol's Carb Intercept, Now Foods' Starch Neutralizer, Swanson's Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer and GNC's Total Lean Phase 2 Carb Controller.

The Mayo Clinic cites specific warning signs that you may be suffering from fall and winter-onset SAD, in addition to mood swings, they include craving foods high in carbohydrates, tiredness and low energy (all of which lead to weight gain). Mood changes can include irritability, problems getting along with others, depression or hypersensitivity to rejection. People experiencing SAD may not be producing enough melatonin, which can cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Others with SAD may have disrupted sleep, leading to oversleeping.

Other techniques LaValle recommends to winterize your body against SAD include: developing an indoor exercise routine, manage stress using yoga or meditation and set up a solid sleep schedule that syncs to sunrise and sunset.

"Sleeping is critical for weight management because when we don't sleep, we start to become more insulin resistant and experience changes in the hunger hormone that makes us crave high-carb foods," said LaValle who also suggests nutritional supplements to help with sleep such as melatonin and adaptogenic herbs that have been shown to reduce the stress response in the body including rhodiola and holy basil. "Also get a blood test," he added. "It is the only way to confirm the presence of high blood sugar in the body, and by doing so, you'll eliminate any guesswork so you know how aggressive you need to be with your diet."

Participants of the upcoming nutritional mega-conference, SupplySide West at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, can receive a free blood glucose test from LaValle and autographed copy of his book, "Your Blood Never Lies," from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Pharmachem Laboratories booth No. 3735.

To download LaValle's free Metabolic Code Carb Counter, visit: http://jimlavalle.com.