Use of slow release starch (SRS) to treat hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate if slow release starch (SRS) could be used to control/limit hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics.Design/methodology/approachTen type‐1 diabetic volunteers were fitted with continuous glucose monitors for two periods of 3 days when undertaking their normal routine or when consuming 60 g SRS before sleep.FindingsThe average number of nocturnal hypoglycaemic episodes where no SRS was consumed over 3 days was 2.7 ± 2.0 but only 0.7 ± 1.1 after SRS consumption before sleep. The duration of these events was equivalent to 318 ± 282 and 140 ± 337 min, respectively. Average nocturnal blood glucose concentration was 7.9 ± 1.4 mmol l−1 without SRS consumption but increased to 9.7 ± 2.7 mmol l−1 when SRS was consumed. These data were highly significant when subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) test on a subject by subject basis. The SRS may be used as a cost effective therapy to avoid hypoglycaemia in patients with type‐1 diabetes.Originality/valueThis paper reports for the first time the use of a physically modified waxy maize starch (SRS) to prevent/limit the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetics.