ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL EFFECTS OF OLESTRA, A NONABSORBED FAT REPLACEMENT - SUMMARY

Olestra is a zero-calorie fat replacement intended to replace 100% of the fat used in the preparation of savory snacks, Olestra can affect t he absorption of other dietary components, especially highly lipophili c ones, when ingested at the same time, The potential effects of olest ra on the absorption of essential fat-soluble and water-soluble dietar y components have been investigated in pigs and in humans. In these st udies, subjects were fed daily amounts of olestra up to 10 times the e stimated mean intake from savory snacks and the olestra was eaten each day of the studies, in real life, snacks are eaten on average five ti mes in a 14-d period. Olestra did not affect the availability of water -soluble micronutrients or the absorption and utilization of macronutr ients. Olestra reduced the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; however, the effects can be offset by adding specified amounts of the vitamins to olestra foods, Olestra also reduced the absorption of carotenoids; analysis of dietary patterns showed that in real life the reduction will likely be <10%, Any effect on vitamin A stores caus ed by a reduction in carotenoid uptake is offset by the addition of vi tamin A to olestra foods. Because of the olestra-to-nutrient ratios fe d and the nutritional requirements of the test subjects, the effects o f olestra on nutritional status of subgroups of the population are unl ikely to be different than those measured in the studies, An analysis of lipophilicity showed that olestra is unlikely to significantly affe ct the uptake of potentially beneficial phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables, Some people eating large amounts of olestra snacks may ex perience common GI symptoms such as stomach discomfort or changes in s tool consistency, similar to symptoms accompanying other dietary chang es. These symptoms present no health risks.