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Back to Olestra 10. Testing for Digestion
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to Olestra 11. Testing for Solubility of Vitamins
Back to Olestra 12. Testing for
Effectiveness as a Fat Substitute
Ahead
to Olestra 14. A Case Discussion
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 have
seen 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
Author's
Note
On a more philosophical
level there is some controversy that olestra is
"not natural" and that there is
something wrong with products that allow us to
enjoy full flavor while not requiring any
sacrifice due to the lower calorie content. While
these attitudes are difficult to quantify I, as
author of this chem case, have encountered them
in many discussions. This points, I think, to
some inconsistencies in how people embrace or do
not embrace the advances created through science
and technology.
It is of constant interest to see
how people go about making decisions, sometimes
based purely on science and fact, sometimes
purely on faith and intuition, and sometimes a
blend of all these processes. I think the current
issues regarding the safety and acceptance of
olestra reflect some of this very human decision
making process.
As you complete your Chem Cases.com Olestra task as a
campus nutritionist try to analyze the way you go
about making your decisions.
Nat Cooper
|
|
|
Olestra 13. Olestra-
Public Approval, Acceptance and Continuing Controversy
| In the two years since the
introduction of the WOW brand olestra-containing
chips and the Fat Free Pringles, consumer
response has been very strong. |
 |
The WOW chips line has become the
most successful new snack product of the decade,
and the Fat Free Pringles has also been a
success. Olestra was initially approved for use
in snacks in 1996. |
In June
of 1998 an FDA panel reconvened for two and one-half days
to review the result of new clinical studies and
marketplace experience. At the end of this meeting the
FDA reaffirmed the safety of olestra including the
following key (in the eyes of
this P&G Press release) findings that
:
- The
results of clinical studies conducted since the
FDA’s initial approval of Olean in 1996, as
well as marketplace experience involving millions
of consumers, reaffirm the safety of this new
cooking oil for use in salted snacks.
- Foods
with Olean can and do help people reduce fat and
calorie intake.
- In
studies
involving more than 4,000 people, the vast
majority of those eating Olean snacks experienced
no more digestive effects than those eating
full-fat snacks.
- Digestive
symptoms are very common in the general
population. In a national survey conducted before
Olean was ever available, about 40% of adults
reported experiencing some digestive effect
within the past month.
- Some
people experienced digestive symptoms simply
because they believed they would notice effects
when eating Olean chips - even though they were
really eating full-fat chips.
- There
is no direct evidence that carotenoids are
responsible for lower disease risk. At the same
time, as a practical matter, eating Olean snacks
does not significantly affect the level of
carotenoids in the body.
- The
interim information label is not consistent with
the findings of clinical studies designed to
determine what really happens when people eat
Olean snacks. Further, the information FDA meant
to convey through this label is not understood by
consumers. The latest information provides a
sound basis for FDA to re-evaluate the interim
label.
You
might want to look at P&G's Olean website.
In
light of both the commercial success and continued
regulatory approval, should there be ongoing controversy
surrounding olestra? The main issues in favor of olestra
are stated above. Some of the more controversial issues
still include:
- Ongoing
gastrointestinal and digestive concerns.
- A
concern that even though carotenoids have not
been conclusively proven to reduce cancer risk,
there may be a benefit and that olestra may
interfere with the uptake of these compounds.
The Center
for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) relies
primarily on anecdotal evidence in opposing the use of olestra fat substitutes.
Let’s now return to the Olestra Concept Map to complete the
final Chem Case task.
|
