Modified starch is prepared by treating starch, causing the starch to be partially degraded. Worldwide, natural starch is an important source of energy. Humans and other animals have enzymes that are able to digest starch into its glucose components, so it can be easily digested. Starch is widely used as an excipient to control the consistency of pharmaceutical formulations, particularly oral tablets 1. Modified starch is an approved food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2.