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Nutrition supplementation and immunity in athletes

Effects of butyrylated high amylose maize starch compared to low amylose maize starch on faecal microbiology and immunity in athletes.

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12611000771954
Enrollment
40
Registered
2011-07-22
Start date
2008-10-20
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This study will investigate 28 days of butyrylated resistant starch supplementation on faecal short chain fatty acids, faecal microbiology and immunity in well trained athletes. Well trained athletes undertaking prolonged endurance exercise suffer gastrointestinal dysfunction and suppression of immunity from heavy exercise training. This supplement is being investigated to examine whether it may reverse these issues.

Interventions

To examine the effect of butyrylated high amylose maize starch on immune and microbiological parameters in 40 well trained athletes in a double blind placebo controlled parallel trial over 28 days. Butyrylated high amylose maize starch is non-digestible starch that promotes the growth of beneficial microbes in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case the starch has had butyric acid incorporated into its structure. Butyric acid is the primary fuel for colonocytes and promotes normal functioning o

To examine the effect of butyrylated high amylose maize starch on immune and microbiological parameters in 40 well trained athletes in a double blind placebo controlled parallel trial over 28 days. Butyrylated high amylose maize starch is non-digestible starch that promotes the growth of beneficial microbes in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case the starch has had butyric acid incorporated into its structure. Butyric acid is the primary fuel for colonocytes and promotes normal functioning of these cells. The supplement is in a powder form and will be mixed and consumed with a protein drink (musashi protein powder) twice daily for 28 days. A total of 40 grams per day of the butyrylated high amylose maize starch will be consumed per day. The expected outcomes are an increase in faecal short chain fatty acids (butyrate, acetate and propionate), an increase in total faecal bacteria and increases in salivary antimicrobial proteins and serum cytokines.

Sponsors

Australian Institute of Sport
Lead SponsorGovernment body

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Normal biochemistry and haematology, athletic training background of 3 years, a minimal maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of 45 ml/kg/min for women and 50 ml/kg/min for men, no use of immunomodulatory medicines.

Exclusion criteria

No history of irritable bowel syndrome/disease, crohn's disease, autoimmune conditions.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026