How does olestra affect the body

The hydrocarbon chains are then emulsified incorporated into micelles with bile, and absorbed into the bloodstream. Because Olestra has so many hydrocarbon chains, there is not enough room for lipase to reach the place where they are attached to the sucrose, and so the side chains cannot be removed.

Therefore, the nonpolar Olestra molecule is too large to form absorbable micelles, so it passes through the intestinal tract, undigested and unabsorbed by the body. Olestra has been approved by the FDA for use in savory snacks, such as potato chips. Unfortunately, Olestra may not be as healthy as it first sounds. It has been shown to cause gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and changes in stool consistency. More importantly, it interferes with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from food when present in the small intestine at the same time as other foods.

Because it is nonpolar, Olestra can dissolve fat-soluble vitamins. Other than the carotenoids and vitamins A and E, olestra does not affect the absorption of potentially beneficial components of fruits and vegetables. The effects on the vitamins can be offset by adding the vitamins to olestra foods.

Any effect this reduction has on vitamin A status can be offset by addition of vitamin A to the foods. The absorption of flavonoids, polyphenols, and most other phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, which have been shown to provide beneficial health effects, will not be affected by olestra because they are not sufficiently lipophilic.

Individuals consuming large quantities of olestra may experience mild or moderate common GI symptoms such as loose or soft stools, gas, or nausea, symptoms similar to those experienced with certain other foods or changed dietary habits.

When olestra snack foods are eaten under free-living dietary patterns, the symptoms are not different from those experienced when eating full-fat snack products, in either incidence or severity. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Print Subscriptions. Deseret News homepage. Filed under:. Reddit Pocket Email Linkedin. Now they fix spines instead The bizarre story of a doctor who allegedly lied about hypothermia to get a helicopter rescue How can we help veterans feel remembered?

Show gratitude Salt Lake City gave police officers a pay raise 5 months ago. Is it keeping them on the job? Sign up for the newsletter Morning Edition Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping. Thanks for signing up! Vitamin deficiency can have serious consequences. Vitamin D, for example, is involved in calcium metabolism and bone formation.

An older woman who eats too much olestra could be at an increased risk of fracturing her already fragile bones! Because of potential problems like these, any food containing olestra must have vitamins A, D, E and K added. Olestra may also deprive the body of an important family of nutrients called carotenoids. There are about different carotenoids. These red, yellow and orange pigments give fresh fruits and vegetables their color, and they're also found in green leafy vegetables.

A lot of evidence suggests that these nutrients may protect you against heart disease, prostate cancer and degeneration of the macula, the part of your eye that lets you see fine details like newsprint. In clinical studies, people who ate olestra had reduced carotenoid levels in their blood. However, since researchers still aren't quite sure how or even if carotenoids might prevent these diseases, it's hard to say whether olestra's effect on carotenoid levels is harmful to health. Olestra also has one drawback common to many indigestible substances like dietary fiber or cellulose.

These substances simply pass straight through your system, so eating too much at once can cause you some problems. Sign up for our Newsletter!