Relation between the Nature of the Carbohydrate in the Diet and Refection in Rats

Abstract

1. The phenomenon of refection has been confirmed.2. The incidence of spontaneous growth of rats on a vitamin B-free diet is very much greater when potato starch instead of rice starch is used in the diet.3. Raw arrowroot starch gave similar but not such good results.4. The protective action is largely destroyed by gentle cooking of the starch, and less so by extraction with alcohol.We wish to thank Prof. Sir F. G. Hopkins for his encouragement and interest during this work.One of us (S. K. K.) is indebted to the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation for a fellowship, and the other (E. W.) is indebted to the Medical Research Council for a personal grant.