HEALTH REPORT
Nature's Metabolic Ally
Are you trying to lose weight? Don’t be tempted by quick- fix drugs – as always, Mother Nature has a safe and effective alternative, says naturopath Margaret Leedham.
Unmodified potato starch, available as a flavourless powder supplement, is a potent source of resistant starch (RS2) which is being studied for its effects
Supporting and maintaining metabolic health has become a focal point in both orthodox medical and consumer health discussions, as we see the rapid rise in popularity of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss. These medicines are known as glucagon-like peptide receptor-agonist drugs (GLP-1 drugs, for short). While clinical results do show that patients taking these drugs can lose a significant amount of body weight in a short time, they can also cause side effects, including nausea, diahorrea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue and headache. Attention is therefore shifting towards how dietary modification – especially the use of certain fibres, like resistant starch – can complement, and possibly reduce the need for, the use of GLP-1 drugs. What is resistant starch? Resistant starch is a powerful, naturally occurring carbohydrate compound that improves blood sugar control and also benefits the gut microbiome, making it particularly relevant for anyone with metabolic problems or gastrointestinal disorders, or who is following specific diets like the low FODMAP diet. Unlike regular starch, which is quickly broken down into glucose in the small intestine, resistant starch reaches the colon largely intact, where it is fermented by gut bacteria. There are five main types of resistant starch, RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4 and RS5 with RS2 and RS3 being the most common in whole foods. RS2 is found in raw potatoes and unripe bananas, while RS3 forms when starchy foods like potatoes are cooked and then cooled.
on satiety, insulin sensitivity and gut health. A complementary approach
GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite and enhances insulin secretion. Resistant starch may offer a natural enhancement to these actions. Studies suggest that resistant starch promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which in turn increases the body’s internal production of GLP-1, making it potentially synergistic with conventional drug treatments. In other words, for anyone taking GLP-1 drugs, adding resistant starch to their diet will therefore help to amplify feelings of fullness, improve blood glucose control and, over time, reduce their dependency on the drug. Benefits of resistant starch • Gut health: Resistant starch acts as a prebiotic fibre, feeding the beneficial bacteria which live in the gut, such as Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia muciniphila . This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly one called butyrate, which is essential for colon health, reducing inflammation and enhancing gut barrier function. Resistant starch undergoes slow fermentation in the large intestine, which sets it apart from FODMAPs. While FODMAPs ferment quickly—often leading to a rapid buildup of gas that can trigger symptoms like pain, bloating, and discomfort in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—resistant starch such as RS2 ferments at a slower rate, making it
Resistant starch supports insulin sensitivity, lowers glucose spikes after eating, and may aid weight management.
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ISSUE 74 • 2025
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