Olestra (Olean™)
is a synthetic oil (liquid fat) that passes through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested or absorbed.
As far as the human body is concerned, olestra is no-calorie fat.
Olestra has been approved for limited use in the U.S. (on January 24, 1996).
It sounds great: imagine eating French Fries without fat!
It is now conceivable, thanks to a food product called olestra.
The U.S. FDA has decided that olestra is safe enough for consumers to decide for themselves whether to use it.
"Potato chips, crackers, tortilla chips or other snacks made with olestra will be lower in fat and calories
than snacks made with traditional fats," said the FDA in its statement approving olestra's use.
Like natural oils, olestra has a creamy, tongue-pleasing texture.
But olestra can trigger intestinal cramping, gas, and loose bowels.
It keeps the body from absorbing carotenoids (which are nutrients that may lower the risk of cancer and heart disease).
Unless supplemental vitamins are added to it, olestra also reduced the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K.
It sometimes causes "anal leakage"
with soilage of undergarments.
And, while most other artificial food additives are eaten in minute amounts, olestra would be consumed in large amounts.
(For example, in potato chips, olestra would account for about one-third, by weight, of the food product.)
Following is a list of pro's and con's about olestra:
Pro's:
- No absorption of calories or fat into the body
- Can be used in deep fat frying
- Tastes about the same as fat
- No effect on the body's absorption of vitamins B and C
- Slight decrease in blood cholesterol levels
Con's:
- Can cause cramps, flatulence, bloating, loose stools and fecal urgency (the need to go right now)
(occasionally)
- Anal leakage with soilage of undergarments (rarely)
- Slight aftertaste
- May cause vitamin deficiencies: interferes with the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K
(Procter & Gamble plans to add supplemental vitamins to olestra)
- May cause deficiencies of carotenoids
Calorie Estimates With and Without Olestra |
POTATO CHIPS
Serving size: one ounce
Without olestra: 10 grams of fat and 150 calories
With olestra: no fat and 60 calories
|
PEACH PIE
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories without olestra: 405
Calories
with olestra: 252
|
CHOCOLATE CAKE
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories without olestra: 235
Calories with olestra: 163
|
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Serving size: 3 cookies
Calories without olestra: 138
Calories with olestra: 63
|
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories without olestra: 270
Calories with olestra: 110
|
BROWNIE
Serving size: 1 square
Calories without olestra: 85
Calories with olestra: 49
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Part of this information is based on a report in the January 8, 1996 issue of TIME Magazine (Volume 147, No. 2), and part on
an Associated Press news release on January 24, 1996.
At the
Olean
(olestra) website:
-
"February 10, 1998 Good news for health-conscious snack lovers: the
wait is almost over. By this summer, consumers throughout the United
States will soon have the choice of buying snacks fried with Olean,
Procter & Gamble's new fat-free, calorie-free cooking oil."
- Searching for "diabetes" at the
Olean website found 24 references (as of February 21, 1998).
At CNN interactive:
-
National
marketing begins for
fake-fat chips
"CINCINNATI (CNN) -- Is it the
calorie-counter's dream or
nightmare?
Procter & Gamble Co.'s olestra fat substitute began its national debut on
store shelves Tuesday, after the company reported an enthusiastic
response to the product in test marketing.
But critics say olestra can cause digestive problems, including diarrhea and
severe cramps. "
(February 10, 1998)
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