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==What is Starch?==

==What is Starch?==

Starches are non-structural [[Nutrition Glossary#Polysaccharides|polysaccharides]] composed of individual '''[[Nutrition Glossary#Monosaccharides|monosaccharide]] sugars linked in α-1,4 glycoside linkage'''; and are present in both plant and animals<ref>National Research Council (NRC). Carbohydrates and Fiber. In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats. 2006 Washington, DC: National Academies Press p.49-80.</ref>. Amylose or amylopectin are the storage forms of monosaccharide plant sugars produced by photosynthesis; glycogen is the form of starch found in animal muscle and liver tissue. Maltodextrin is a form of synthesized starch that is used in human food production. Starches that are resistant to degradation by mammalian enzymes (referred to as resistant starches) can be formed during the cooking process<ref>Berry CS. Resistant starch: Formation and measurement of starch that survives exhaustive digestion with amylolytic enzymes during determination of dietary fiber. J Cereal Sci 1986;4:301-304.</ref>.

Starches are non-structural [[Nutrition Glossary#Polysaccharides|polysaccharides]] composed of individual '''[[Nutrition Glossary#Monosaccharides|monosaccharide]] sugars linked in α-1,4 glycoside linkage'''; and are present in both plant and animals<ref>National Research Council (NRC). Carbohydrates and Fiber. In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats. 2006 Washington, DC: National Academies Press p.49-80.</ref>. Amylose or amylopectin are the storage forms of monosaccharide plant sugars produced by photosynthesis; glycogen is the form of starch found in animal [[Muscles - Anatomy & Physiology|muscle]] and [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]] tissue. Maltodextrin is a form of synthesized starch that is used in human food production. Starches that are resistant to degradation by mammalian enzymes (referred to as resistant starches) can be formed during the cooking process<ref>Berry CS. Resistant starch: Formation and measurement of starch that survives exhaustive digestion with amylolytic enzymes during determination of dietary fiber. J Cereal Sci 1986;4:301-304.</ref>.

==Why is it Important?==

==Why is it Important?==

Dietary starches are readily broken down into their monosaccharide constitutes in both dogs and cats and can contribute to a rise in post-prandial blood glucose concentrations<ref name="Hewson">Hewson-Hughes AK, et al. The effect of dietary starch level on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in cats and dogs. Br J Nutr 2011;106:S105-S109.</ref>. Once absorbed, the monosaccharide sugar glucose is available for immediate use by brain and other tissues, while [[Amino Acids Overview - Nutrition|gluconeogenic amino acids]] from [[Protein - Nutrition|protein]] must first be converted to glucose via hepatic gluconeogenesis. '''Starch is not an essential dietary nutrient, but is required for production of dry pet foods'''.

Dietary starches are readily broken down into their monosaccharide constitutes in both dogs and cats and can contribute to a rise in post-prandial blood glucose concentrations<ref name="Hewson">Hewson-Hughes AK, et al. The effect of dietary starch level on postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations in cats and dogs. Br J Nutr 2011;106:S105-S109.</ref>. Once absorbed, the monosaccharide sugar glucose is available for immediate use by brain and other tissues, while [[Amino Acids Overview - Nutrition|gluconeogenic amino acids]] from [[Protein - Nutrition|protein]] must first be converted to glucose via hepatic gluconeogenesis. '''Starch is not an [[Nutrition Glossary#Essential Nutrients|essential dietary nutrient]], but is required for production of dry pet foods'''.

==Roles in the Body==

==Roles in the Body==

'''Starch is the storage form of carbohydrate energy found in plant and animal tissues'''. It can be readily hydrolysed by digestive enzymes to release free monosaccharide molecules that can absorbed by both dogs and cats, though cats appear to have a more delayed response relative to dogs<ref name="Hewson"/><ref>de-Oliveira  LD, et al. Effects of six carbohydrate sources on diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in cats. J Anim Sci 2008. 86:2237–2246</ref>. Glucose absorbed from the diet can be used directly in intermediate metabolism (ATP production) or to synthesise glycogen and fatty acid<ref>Ebiner JR, et al. Comparison of carbohydrate utilization in man using indirect calorimetry and mass spectrometry after oral load of 100 g naturally-labelled (13C) glucose. Br J Nutr 1979;41:419-429.</ref><ref>Flatt JP, et al. Effects of dietary fat on postprandial substrate oxidation and on carbohydrate and fat balances. J Clin Invest 1985;76:1019-1024.</ref>. Resistant starches are not hydrolysed by pancreatic amylases and instead act like fermentable fibres in the colonic lumen<ref>Goudez R, et al. Influence of different levels and sources of resistant starch on faecal quality of dogs of various body sizes. Br J Nutr 2011;106:S111-S215.</ref>.

'''Starch is the storage form of carbohydrate energy found in plant and animal tissues'''. It can be readily hydrolysed by digestive enzymes to release free monosaccharide molecules that can absorbed by both dogs and cats, though cats appear to have a more delayed response relative to dogs<ref name="Hewson"/><ref>de-Oliveira  LD, et al. Effects of six carbohydrate sources on diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in cats. J Anim Sci 2008. 86:2237–2246</ref>. Glucose absorbed from the diet can be used directly in intermediate metabolism (ATP production) or to synthesise glycogen and [[Fatty Acids Overview - Nutrition|fatty acid]]<ref>Ebiner JR, et al. Comparison of carbohydrate utilization in man using indirect calorimetry and mass spectrometry after oral load of 100 g naturally-labelled (13C) glucose. Br J Nutr 1979;41:419-429.</ref><ref>Flatt JP, et al. Effects of dietary fat on postprandial substrate oxidation and on carbohydrate and fat balances. J Clin Invest 1985;76:1019-1024.</ref>. Resistant starches are not hydrolysed by pancreatic amylases and instead act like fermentable fibres in the colonic lumen<ref>Goudez R, et al. Influence of different levels and sources of resistant starch on faecal quality of dogs of various body sizes. Br J Nutr 2011;106:S111-S215.</ref>.

==Consequences of Starch Deficiency==

==Consequences of Starch Deficiency==

==Dietary Sources==

==Dietary Sources==

Starch is found in cereal grains, tubers, and pulses (i.e., legumes). Resistant starches can be formed during the cooking of digestible starches. Maltodextrin is not commonly found in pet foods, but can be included as a thickener in foods intended for human consumption.

Starch is found in cereal grains, tubers, and pulses (i.e. legumes). Resistant starches can be formed during the cooking of digestible starches. Maltodextrin is not commonly found in pet foods, but can be included as a thickener in foods intended for human consumption.

==Diagnosing Starch Deficiency==

==Diagnosing Starch Deficiency==

If low to absent carbohydrate intake with insufficient hepatic gluconeogenesis, clinical signs of hypoglycemia can occur (e.g., lethargy, depression, seizures). Blood sugar concentrations below the normal laboratory reference interval (<5 mmol/L) will be seen on serum biochemistry profiles.

If low to absent carbohydrate intake with insufficient hepatic gluconeogenesis, clinical signs of hypoglycemia can occur (e.g. lethargy, depression, [[seizures]]). Blood sugar concentrations below the normal laboratory reference interval (<5 mmol/L) will be seen on serum biochemistry profiles.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Carbohydrates]]

[[Category:Carbohydrates]]