Hi-Maize Resistant Starch May Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Men at Risk for Prediabetes

According to study results presented at the recent Experimental Biology conference in Washington, DC, low doses of hi-maize resistant starch may improve insulin sensitivity in men at risk for prediabetes. The study was funded by hi-maize resistant starch supplier National Starch LLC (Bridgewater, NJ), a business unit of Corn Products International.

The American Diabetes Association defines prediabetes as a nondisease state in which glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Study leader Kevin C. Maki, PhD, of Biofortis-Provident Clinical Research (Glen Ellyn, IL) said that in the trial, overweight or obese but nondiabetic males showed a 72.7% improvement in insulin sensitivity after taking 30 g/day of Hi-maize resistant starch 260. A 15 g/day dose resulted in a 56.5% improvement.

The company says this was the first study to examine the lower dose of 15 g/day.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial took place over three four-week treatment periods, with a three-week washout in between. Subjects included both men and women; however, men experienced the statistically significant improvement in insulin sensitivity while the women did not. The researchers postulate that menstrual cycles may have altered the effects in women.