what is waxy maize starch?

Hi Nick,

Waxy maize refers to a type of corn starch that only contains one of the two typical types of starch found in corn - it contains amylopectin but not amylose.

Many products have the words "waxy maize" somewhere on their label but this can mean many different things. The most common one in sports nutrition products is the one that carries the brand name Vitargo and the copy cat products usually called waxy maize or similar but others have very different composition and characteristics...some aren't even made from corn (which is weird because "maize" IS corn).

Vitargo is being promoted by researcher Anthony Almada, who is the same guy who masterminded bringing creatine to the sports supplement world about 20 years ago. I've met with him and discussed this product with him several times and its benefits are well-supported.

Vitargo and the other so-called "high molecular weight glucose polymers" made from corn that are "fast" (are digested and absorbed quickly) have several advantages over other carbohydrate sources.

A large body of very good research shows that they are emptied from the stomach faster than just about any other carb, they crank up insulin levels faster and they result in greater storage of glycogen (chains of sugar stored in muscle that is used for energy) than other forms of carbs. Each of these characteristics makes it perfect to combine with protein, creatine and amino acids post workout and also perfect for endurance athletes or others who do a large volume of training.

So as long as you get your hands on Vitargo or one of the other available "fast", "high molecular weight" waxy maize products, you may benefit from its unique characteristics that have been proven in research.