Olestra
Nat Cooper

  

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Back to Olestra 9. FDA Approval
Ahead to Olestra 13. Olestra Public Approval and Controversy

Chemical Concepts
Fats play a significant and unique role in bodily function.
1. Energy available can be determined from The type and amount of food we eat
2. Enzymes enable our bodies to metabolize foods
3. Intermolecular forces explain the fate of fats, fat substitutes and vitamins in our bodies
4. Proteins are assembled from specific sequences of Simple amino acids
5. Proteins assemble into Uniquely shaped structural masses
6. Uniquely shaped proteins called enzymes bind to Other molecules and speed chemical rections
7. Enzymes called lipase speed or catalyze Breakdown of fats
8. Enzymes lower Activation energy necessary for reaction
9. Fats are our water insoluble energy reserve
10. Edible fat unsaturation correlates with melting point and oxidation
11. Carbohydrates and proteins produce 16-17 kJ/gram of energy when oxidized
12. Fats produce about 38 kJ/gram when oxidized
13. Specific stomach enzymes - lipases catalyze conversion of fats to soluble bile salts
14. Molecules with 4-8 fatty acid residues are not hydrolyzed by lipases

We will see how researchers used these simple chemical concepts to invent and develop olestra and we will use these principles ourselves to evaluate and decide on nutritional issues

We must not abandon scientific thinking when confronting issues in the public interest such as potential toxicity of olestra.  In working through the presentations of groups such as CSPI   we suggest a broad view.  When anecdotal evidence of gastrointestinal (GI) problems with olestra is presented, is it developed in the context of similar findings on a control population consuming ordinary snack foods?

The evidence for fat-soluble vitamin supplements is clear.  We can develop that necessity from our own understanding of the chemical principles of "like dissolves like".  Is there a fatal flaw in the FDA's position that if P&G supplements these vitamins there will still be a problem.

As responsible, aware thinkers, we owe ourselves and the community the benefit of science-based thinking.
Would you like to try the Vitamins Quiz to analyze what responsible research might be done?

 

  Olestra 10. Testing for Digestion and Toxicity

Two of the most tested aspects of olestra are its potential for toxicity and its potential to cause any harmful effects to the digestive tract with the digestion and elimination process. Since olestra passes through the tract undigested it does have potential for some physiological and functional effects. Procter and Gamble felt it was important to look at several aspects of this issue and consequently designed and conducted studies in the following areas:

A. Toxicity studies

  1. Absorption studies
  2. Genetic toxicity studies
  3. Animal toxicity studies

B. Digestion studies

  1. Studies on the effect of olestra on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
  2. Studies to determine if olestra would exacerbate any conditions in patients with GI diseases including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and Inflammatory bowel disease patients.
  3. Studies to determine the effect of olestra on the intestinal microflora metabolism.
  4. Studies to determine any effect on bile acid metabolism.

After numerous clinical trials by Procter & Gamble with a variety of animal tests and methods, the FDA concluded that olestra was not absorbed and non toxic. There was some evidence of gastrointestinal complaints in some people and this has led to the warning labels that are currently on olestra containing products. The details of these studies are available in the FDA’s final rule report that is published in the Federal Register Volume 61 No. 20 pp 3118-3173.

While the details of these many studies are quite voluminous, some of the chemical principals behind the studies are worth noting. In nearly all of the absorption studies that showed no olestra was absorbed into the body, some portion of the olestra molecule was radiolabeled with carbon-14 so it could be traced throughout the subject. In some cases the fatty acids were labeled and different parts of the animals were tested to see if some of this radiolabeled carbon was detected in organs where the metabolic products of olestra might typically be found such as the liver or in body fat deposits. The sucrose that makes up olestra was also radiolabeled and the urine was sampled for detection of olestra. In cases where the detection limits were thought to be too low, samples of higher radioactivity were selected to increase the detectability. The use of radioactive isotopes is a very important and common method for following a carbon atoms path through all of the digestive and chemical processes in our body.

Regarding the issue of any potential toxicity of olestra, it seems that the FDA, Procter & Gamble, and various consumer interest groups are satisfied that Olestra is completely non toxic. Potential GI distress is of major concern to possible customers and this is an issue that is still generating controversy.

While Procter & Gamble is presenting and conducting further studies that show any GI incidents are not beyond the statistical norm, a consumer watch-dog group, CSPI, is claiming that considerable problems exist with olestra. These web sites express completely conflicting viewpoints.

These issues will be among the several that you must weigh as you consider the overall value of olestra. At this point, return to the Olestra Concept Map to examine some of the other issues regarding olestra.

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