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 Additional research is needed to confirm weight benefits in humans - five mechanisms have been identified which contribute to weight management benefits:
- 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 Two additional studies found that dietary consumption of Hi-maize significantly reduced caloric consumption two hours after consuming Hi-maize and 24 hours following Hi-maize supplementation (consumed at breakfast and lunch). 6
In animal models, Hi-maize resistant starch increases the satiety hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) and Peptide YY (“PYY”).7 Newly published research has shown increased GLP-1 and PYY in a sustained, daylong manner (over 24 hours), independent of the meal effect or changes in dietary glycemia.8
- Lipid oxidation: Hi-maize resistant starch helps your body burn more fat.9 The effect lasts throughout the entire day when Hi-maize is consumed for breakfast. Animal studies have confirmed this effect.10
- Insulin sensitivity: Hi-maize resistant starch increases insulin sensitivity in healthy people and in individuals with diabetes.11
- Energy Expenditure: Two animal studies suggest increased energy expenditure following Hi-maize consumption. 12 Dr. Shen and her colleagues found increased hypothalamic expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in rats, a neuropeptide shown to increase energy expenditure. Dr. Scribner and her colleagues found 45% increased physical activity in mice consuming Hi-maize resistant starch after 38 weeks.
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.Coate, 2010 (Nutrition Research), Isken, 2009 (Diabetologia)...... Scribner, 2008 (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab), Shen, 2008 (Obesity), So, 2007 (PLoS ONE), Scribner, 2007 (Obesity), Keenan, 2006(Obesity), Pawlak, 2004 (Lancet), Pawlak, 2001 (Journal of Nutrition)
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), Quilez, 2007 (Journal of Food Science) and Willis 2009 (Nutrition Research)
6. Anderson 2010 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition), and Bodinham, 2008 (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society)
7.Keenan, 2006 (NAASO), Keenan, 2006 (Obesity), Zhou, 2006 (Obesity)
8.Zhou, 2008 (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab)
9.Higgins, 2004 (Nutrition & Metabolism)
10.Pawlak, 2004 (Lancet), Higgins, 2006 (Nutrition Journal), and Scribner, 2008 (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metabol)
11.Robertson, 2003 (Diabetologia), Robertson, 2005 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition), and Zhang, 2007 (chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine)
12.Shen, 2008 (Obesity), Scribner, 2008 (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab)