Overview of human studies with resistant starch
The more than 120 studies on the benefits of high amylose corn resistant starch include in vitro models and animal models as well as human clinical trials. Epidemiological studies are supportive as they have correlated starch consumption with reduced risk of colorectal conditions.
Animal and in vitro models are valuable, as they provide a wealth of information, including mechanisms. However, human clinical trials are the most valuable in determining the physiological benefits of this type of resistant starch in humans.
Here is a summary of relevant human studies with natural resistant starch (RS2) from high amylose corn:
- 3 published studies have shown beneficial effects on outcomes relevant to weight management and metabolism. (Higgins 2004, Jenkins 1998, van Amelsvoort 1992)
- 8 published studies have shown beneficial effects of natural RS2 from high amylose corn on glucose and/or insulin response. When substituted for flour, it lowers the glycemic and/or insulin response of foods in a dose dependent manner. (Brown et al. 1995; Giacco et al. 1998; Noakes et al. 1996; Olesen et al. 1994; van Amelsvoort & Weststrate 1992; Vonk et al. 2000; Robertson et al. 2003; Robertson et al. 2005)
- 2 published studies have shown that natural RS2 from high amylose corn increased insulin sensitivity when added to the diet as a supplement. (Robertson et al. 2003; Robertson et al. 2005)
13 published studies have shown beneficial effects on biomarkers for colon health such as the production of short-chain fatty acids, lower pH, lower concentrations of ammonia and phenolics, decreased bile acids and increased fecal weight. (Alles et al. 1997; Birkett et al. 1996; Grubben et al. 2001; Heijnen et al. 1996; Heijnen et al. 1998; Hylla et al. 1998; Jenkins et al. 1998; Muir et al. 2004; Noakes et al. 1996; Phillips et al. 1995; Silvester et al. 1997; van Munster et al. 1994; Wacker et al. 2002)
Reference for Human Studies Above:
Alles MS, Katan MB, Salemans JMJI, Van Laere KMJ, Gerichhausen MJW, Rozendaal MJ, Nagengast FM. Bacterial fermentation of fructooligosaccharides and resistant starch in patients with an ileal pouch – anal anastomosis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997;66:1286-92.
Birkett A, Muir J, Phillips J, Jones G, O'Dea K. Resistant starch lowers fecal concentrations of ammonia and phenols in humans. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1996;63(5):766-72.
Brown IL, McNaught KJ, Moloney E. Hi-maize™: new directions in starch technology and nutrition. Food Australia, June 1995;47(6):272-5.
Giacco R, Clemente G, Brighenti F, Mancini M, D’Avanzo A, Coppola S, Ruffa G, La sorella G, Rivieccio AM, Rivellese AA, Riccardi G. Metabolic effects of resistant starch in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism 1998;11:330-5.
Grubben MJ, van den Braak CC, Essenberg M, Olthof M, Tangerman A, Katan MB, Nagengast FM. Effect of resistant starch on potential biomarkers for colonic cancer risk in patients with colonic adenomas: a controlled trial. Digestive Diseases and Science 2001;46(4):750-6.
Heijnen M-LA, van Amelsvoort JMM, Deurenberg P, Beynen AC. Neither raw nor retrograded resistant starch lowers fasting serum cholesterol concentrations in healthy normolipidemic subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1996;64:312-8.
Heijnen M-LA, van Amelsvoort JMM, Deurenberg P, Beynen AC. Limited effect of consumption of uncooked (RS2) or retrograded (RS3) resistant starch on putative risk factors for colon cancer in healthy men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;67:322-31.
Higgins JA, Higbee DR, Donahoo WT, Brown IL, Bell ML, Bessesen DH. Resistant starch consumption promotes lipid oxidation. Nutrition & Metabolism 2004;1:8.
Hylla S, Gostner A, Dusel G, Anger H, Bartram HP, Christl SU, Kasper H, Scheppach W. Effects of resistant starch on the colon in healthy volunteers: possible implications for cancer prevention. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;67(1):136-42.
Jenkins DJ, Vuksan V, Kendall CW, Wursch P, Jeffcoat R, Waring S, Mehling CC, Vidgen E, Augustin LS, Wong E. Physiological effects of resistant starches on fecal bulk, short chain fatty acids, blood lipids and glycemic index. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1998;17(6):609-16.
Kendall, CWC, Jenkins DJA, Emam A. Assessment of resistant starch tolerance: a dose response study. Abstract presented at 9th European Nutrition Conference, October 1-4, 2003, Rome, Italy.
Muir JG, Yeow EG, Keogh J, Pizzey C, Bird AR, Sharpe K, O'Dea K, Macrae FA. Combining wheat bran with resistant starch has more beneficial effects on fecal indexes than does wheat bran alone. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004;79(6):1020-8.
Noakes M, Clifton PM, Nestel P, Le Leu R, McIntosh G. Effect of high-amylose starch and oat bran on metabolic variables and bowel function in subjects with hypertriglyceridemia. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1996;64(6):944-51.
Olesen M, Rumessen JJ, Gudmand-Hoyer E. Intestinal transport and fermentation of resistant starch evaluated by the hydrogen breath test. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994;48(10):692-701.
Phillips J, Muir JG, Birkett A, Lu ZX, Jones GP, O’Dea K. Effect of resistant starch on fecal bulk and fermentation-dependent events in humans. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1995;62:121-30.
Robertson MD, Currie JM, Morgan LM, Jewell DP, Frayn KN. Prior short-term consumption of resistant starch enhances postprandial insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects. Diabetologia 2003;46(5):659-65.
Robertson MD, Bickerton AS, Dennis AL, Vidal H, Frayn KN. Insulin-sensitizing effects of dietary resistant starch and effects on skeletal muscle and adipose tissue metabolism. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005;82:559-567.
Silvester KR, Bingham SA, Pollock JRA, Cummings JH, O’Neill IK. Effect of meat and resistant starch on fecal excretion of apparent N-nitroso compounds and ammonia from the human large bowel. Nutrition and Cancer 1997;29(1):13-23.
van Amelsvoort JMM, Weststrate JA. Amylose-amylopectin ratio in a meal affects postprandial variables in male volunteers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1992;55:712-8.
Van Munster IP, Tangerman A, Nagengast FM. Effect of resistant starch on colonic fermentation, bile acid metabolism, and mucosal proliferation. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 1994:39(4):834-842.
Vonk RJ, Hagedoorn RE, de Graaff R, Elzinga H, Tabak S, Yang YX, Stellaard F. Digestion of so-called resistant starch sources in the human small intestine. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000;72(2):432-8.
Wacker M, Wanek P, Eder E, Hylla S, Gostner A, Scheppach W. Effect of enzyme-resistant starch on formation of 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine adducts of trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and cell proliferation in the colonic mucosa of healthy volunteers. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2002;11:915-20.