Fact and Fiction
Leif
My project focuses on the fat substitute olestra, a highly controversial chemical currently being used in certain savory snacks. I researched from different types of sources, both highly professional (Center of Science for the Peoples' Interest) and extremely biased (Procter & Gamble, Olean Co.), in attempts to evaluate the factual and fictional information about this substance. The greatest concerns of olestra include its fat-soluble vitamin depleting properties, and the fact that it passes through the body without being absorbed. These problems sound simple, but they cause subsequent complications in the body and diagnosis thereof; hence the great commotion and confusion about olestra.
Olestra has been proven in numerous tests and studies to deplete the serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins, because it acts as a fat in the body. These vitamins A, D, E, and K are all essential to the body, so the FDA has forced Procter & Gamble to add these vitamins in order to offset the depleting effect. Though Procter & Gamble claim that adding these vitamins has completely solved the problem, these vitamin levels are still subject to fluctuation, which may cause complications for certain drug users whose health depends on steady vitamin levels. A drug Coudamin's effectiveness depends strongly on stable vitamin K levels, and fluctuations of serum levels could lead to serious health risks.
Since olestra passes through the body unabsorbed, it has been reported to have caused 'anal leakage,' which is liquid olestra passing out of the body. This problem speaks for itself. Also, olestra causes the amount of fat in the stool to rise. Already, there have been false diagnoses of Steatorrhea, a GI disorder when the body does not absorb certain things correctly. False positive results could lead to unnecessary medical investigations.
Procter & Gamble still argue that there is no solid proof of the many allegations against olestra, and they are correct. Not enough tests have been done to conclude that olestra causes all the problems that scientists have claimed, so the FDA has approved the use of olestra for now. Only tests and time will prove who is correct about olestra.