AN INDIRECT MEANS OF ASSESSING POTENTIAL NUTRITIONAL EFFECTS OF DIETARY OLESTRA IN HEALTHY SUBGROUPS OF THE GENERAL-POPULATION

The potential for olestra to affect the absorption of dietary componen ts was measured in 18- to 44-y-old humans and the weanling pig. Result s from the studies were assessed to determine ii they were relevant to subgroups of the population not included in the studies, Hypothetrica lly, two factors that might cause the study results not to be relevant to certain subgroups are dietary pattern and metabolic need, A dietar y pattern resulting in olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios greater than those tested in the studies might produce effects greater than those m easured, Metabolic needs (i.e., nutrient requirements) among subgroups greater than those of the study population might mean that any effect s on nutrient absorption seen in the studies would be larger among sub groups, If olestra-to-nutrient ratios and nutrient requirements of a s ubgroup were less than those covered in the studies, then the effects of olestra on the nutritional status of the subgroup should be no diff erent than the effects measured in the studies. Subgroups with high ol estra-to-nutrient intake ratios were identified by calculating the rat ios for those nutrients assessed in the studies [i.e., macronutrients, vitamins A (including beta-carotene), D, E and K, folate, vitamin B-1 2, calcium, iron and zinc], Subgroups with the greatest olestra-to-nut rient intake ratios for one or more nutrients included children, teena gers and young adults, women from low income families and vegetarians, Subgroups with the greatest metabolic need for one or more nutrients included children, teenagers, and pregnant and lactating women, The ol estra-to-nutrient ratios and nutrient requirements of the subgroups ha ving the greatest ratios and requirements were compared with those of the test population. The olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios fed in the studies were greater than those for any subgroup for all nutrients exc ept calcium, which is not affected by olestra, Metabolic needs of the test population were greater than those of all population subgroups fo r all nutrients. The effects of olestra on nutritional status should n ot be different or greater than those measured in the controlled clini cal tests for subgroups not directly tested.