Olestra :: essays research papers

OlestraTechnically speaking, it was to be the something that was supposedly going to motley the world. Stock analysts even proclaimed it as being the "single more or less important discoery in the history of the food industry", and would start out over a billion dollars annually in sales becomming Procter and Gambles, the cr decimateors, scoop selling overlap. What is not to like about a product which replaces the plonk content in previosly named junk food such as white potato vine chips? Apparently quite a bit.Olestra was first invented in 1968 as a way of increasing an infants intake of fat. This is when they stumbled upon a special chemcial which was actually the hexa, hepta, and octa-esters of fatso acid of sucrose. These molecules are so big and fatty, that the body cannot be metabolized by the body by enzymes and bacteria in the intestine, and as a direct is not digested or absorbed. Instead of increasing fat intake, this chemical replaced it. roughly 30 years later, Olestra was finally given approval by the FDA to be used in food, however, with the condition of a warning label indicating the product can induse upset stomach and loose stools, as well as inhibiting the absorbtion of vitamins A, D, E and K. For a product that was supposed to be perfect, what happened? Studies conducted prior, first with mice, had sanely alarming results which indicated that in addition to the first two problems stated, Olestra can ride cancer. The reason for this is that the product interferes with the bodies natural absorbtion of carotenoids which are found in fruits in vegetables, which help the body fight against cancer. Studies in humans showed that people who consumed 2 grams of Olestra per day had 15% lower level of carotenoids in their body than those who didnt eat them. A regular sized bag of chips made with Olestra however, contain over 15 grams. Further studies showen that when given Olestra doses every day included in every meal, levels droppe d over 60%.Once Olestra hit the market, the FDA recieved more than kB reports of the food causing adverse reactions, yet Procter and Gamble still bind the product is harmless. To perhaps nobodies surprise, "fake-fat" containing products recieved initial high sales, but quickly plummeted out-of-pocket to both the media and word of mouth on its affects, as well as the warning label and relative high price.