Resistant Starch from High-Amylose Maize Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Men

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of 2 levels of intake of high-amylose maize type 2 resistant starch (HAM-RS2) on insulin sensitivity (SI) in participants with waist circumference ≥89 (women) or ≥102 cm (men). Participants received 0 (control starch), 15, or 30 g/d (double-blind) of HAM-RS2 in random order for 4-wk periods separated by 3-wk washouts. Minimal model SI was assessed at the end of each period using the insulin-modified i.v. glucose tolerance test. The efficacy evaluable sample included 11 men and 22 women (mean ± SEM) age 49.5 ± 1.6 y, with a BMI of 30.6 ± 0.5 kg/m2 and waist circumference 105.3 ± 1.3 cm. A treatment main effect (P = 0.018) and a treatment × sex interaction (P = 0.033) were present. In men, least squares geometric mean analysis for SI did not differ after intake of 15 g/d HAM-RS2 (6.90 × 10−5 pmol−1 · L−1 × min−1) and 30 g/d HAM-RS2 (7.13 × 10−5 pmol−1 · L−1 × min−1), but both were higher than after the control treatment (4.66 × 10−5 pmol−1 · L−1 × min−1) (P < 0.05). In women, there was no difference among the treatments (overall least squares ln-transformed mean ± pooled SEM = 1.80 ± 0.08; geometric mean = 6.05 × 10−5 pmol−1 · L−1 × min−1). These results suggest that consumption of 15–30 g/d of HAM-RS2 improves SI in men. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms that might account for the treatment × sex interaction observed.

Resistant Starch: A Potential Impact on Human Health

“…In this study, 11 overweight men and 22 overweight women consumed HI-MAIZE for four weeks. However, no significant effects in women were observed (Maki et al, 2012).…”

Enzymatic transformation of nonfood biomass to starch

“…Food-grade amylose can be blended with cereals and processed to high-amylose tailored foods for meeting special dietary needs because highamylose wheat, corn, and rice have a much lower glycemic load. The foods with lower glycemic loads can improve human health and lower the risk of serious noninfectious diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) (7,8). Medium-quality amylose can be used as a high-density hydrogen carrier for the enzymatic production of starchy hydrogen, which could solve the challenges associated with hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, infrastructure, and safety concerns (9)(10)(11).…”

“…Starch is composed of polysaccharides consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together primarily by alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds and alpha-1,6-glycosidic bonds. Linear-chain amylose is more valuable than branched amylopectin because it can be used as a precursor for making high-quality transparent, flexible, low-oxygen-diffusion plastic sheets and films (5, 6); tailored functional food or additives for lowering the risk of serious noninfectious diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) (7,8); and a potential high-density hydrogen carrier (9)(10)(11). Also, it is easy to convert linear amylose to branched amylopectin by using alphaglucan-branching glycosyltransferase (12).…”

Effects of Resistant Starch Intake in Humans

“…It is now clear that RS, generally HAM RS2, consumption improves insulin sensitivity [12,[50][51][52]. This may be a secondary result of alterations in fatty acid flux associated with RS fermentation and SCFA production.…”