Olestra formulation and the gastrointestinal tract

Olestra is a mixture of compounds comprising sucrose esterified with 6-8 lo ng-chain fatty acids. It is not hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase and as a re sult is not absorbed from the small intestine. Olestra in general has physi cal properties similar to those of a triacylglycerol with the same fatty ac id composition. Foods made with olestra are virtually identical in taste an d texture to those made with typical triacylglycerols. Olestra consumption does not generate hydrolytic products in the small intestine and, therefore , does not generate some of the signals that alter motility in the gastroin testinal tract. A reduction in gastroesophageal reflux with olestra, in con trast to triacylglycerols, is consistent with a lack of effect on stomach e mptying. Unlike triacylglycerols that are absorbed in the proximal small in testine, olestra is distributed throughout the small intestine during trans it and passes into the colon. in the colon, olestra's effects depend on its physical properties. Liquid nondigestible lipids result in separation of o il from the fecal matrix. Olestra formulations made with specific fatty aci d compositions, particularly those containing a solid sucrose polyester com ponent including behenic acid, possess appropriate rheology to hinder separ ation of oil from the rest of the fecal matrix, thereby reducing gastrointe stinal symptoms.