Resistant Starch & Weight Management
“We already have shown that rats fed resistant starch have increased gut fermentation, increased intestinal expression of important peptides and decreased abdominal fat. We believe the fermentation of resistant starch may be an effective, natural approach to the treatment of obesity.”
Dr. Mike Keenan
LSU AgCenter's School of Human Ecology
The Stats.1
· 136.5 million Americans (65.1%) are overweight or obese.
· 3.8 million American children (15.8%) between the ages of 6-12 are overweight or obese.
· 5.3 million American children (16.1%) between the ages of 12-19 are obese or overweight.
The Role of Resistant Starch
With obesity on the rise, focus on weight management continues to be a priority. In addition to adult complications, earlier onset of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, are being reported in children and adolescents with obesity. Studies show natural resistant starch is a valuable carbohydrate in foods designed for weight management.
The Positive Effects
Hi-maize resistant starch significantly reduces body fat in animal models. 2 One clinical trial found that consumption of Hi-maize resistant starch reduced Body Mass Index in Type 2 diabetics.3 While research continues to confirm weight benefits in humans, four mechanisms have been identified:
- Calorie reduction: Hi-maize® resistant starch helps to reduce the caloric density of foods. It delivers between 2 and 3 kilocalories/gram vs. 4 kilocalories/gram for the flour that it commonly replaces. 4
- Satiety: Clinical studies suggest that Hi-maize increases satiety.5 In animal models, Hi-maize resistant starch increases the satiety hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) and Peptide YY (“PYY”) when consumed as part of a low-fat or medium-fat diet.6 Surprisingly, cellulose, a bulking but non-fermentable fiber, did not have the same effect. In addition, high levels of dietary fat, which interferes with intestinal fermentation, has been shown to prevent the satiety-enhancing benefits of Hi-maize resistant starch.7
- Lipid oxidation: Hi-maize resistant starch helps your body burn more fat.8 The effect lasts throughout the entire day when Hi-maize is consumed for breakfast. Animal studies confirm this effect. 9
- Prevents weight re-gain: An unpublished study found that dietary consumption of Hi-maize prevented weight re-gain in animals almost as much as exercise.10
As a bonus for manufacturers, resistant starch also lowers legal calorie-reporting requirements. Per US labeling regulations, the insoluble fiber portion of a natural resistant starch contributes 0 calories. This is why Hi-maize 260 delivers 1.4 Kcal/gram for US labeling.
1 NHANES (1999-2002) as quoted in Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2006 Update, American Heart Association
2. Scribner, 2007 (Obesity), Keenan, 2006 (Obesity), Pawlak, 2004 (Lancet), Pawlak, 2001 (Journal of Nutrition), Morita, 2005 (Journal of Food Science).
3. Zhang, 2007 (Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine)
4. Behall, 1996 (Journal of the American College of Nutrition)
5. van Amelsvoort, 1992 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
6. Keenan, 2006 (NAASO), Keenan, 2006 (Obesity), Zhou, 2006 (Obesity)
7. Dr. Michael Keenan, September 29, 2007, presented at “The New Fiber Story – Natural Resistant Starch”. Sasmita Tripathy Masters Thesis, Louisiana State University, August 2007.
8. Higgins, 2004 (Nutrition & Metabolism), Pawlak, 2004 (Lancet), Higgins, 2006 (Nutrition Journal)
9. Higgins, 2006 (Nutrition Journal)
10. Dr. Janine Higgins, September 29, 2007, presented at “The New Fiber Story – Natural Resistant Starch”.