Olestra The Miracle Fat

1
Olestra The Miracle Fat?

• Organic Chemistry Project 2005
• Project Members Dan Rissi, Jace Jordan, Lily
  Bermejo and Whitney

2
Understanding the Fuel of the Human Body

• A brief look at the major food types
• Carbohydrates this diverse group contains
  sugars, fibers, and starches
• Protein comprised of amino acids, protein can
  be found in sources complete and incomplete in
  both animal and vegetable proteins
• Fats and Cholesterol Contains both Good and
  Bad sources and the focal point of our topic

3
Understanding the Fuel of the Human Body A
Closer Look at FATS

• There are three major types of fat
• Saturated Fat that is typically found in foods
  such as butter and cheese, most fats derived from
  animal products can be found here
• Monounsaturated Fats produced that are
  vegetable in origin such as canola and olive oils
• Polyunsaturated Also vegetable in origin made
  with corn, sunflower, and other nuts and seeds

4
Understanding the Fuel of the Human Body A
Closer Look at FATS

• Fat Facts
• Found in a good portion of the food we eat
• An important nutrient to help fuel an active
  life-style
• Contains lots of calories that provide energy
• Helps to produce and to protect vital parts of
  the human body

An image of a fat cell
5
The Food We Eat A Mystery?

• What questions need to be answered prior to a
  decision of allowing snacks and food-stuffs on
  campus with Olestra
• How aware or concerned are students and staff
  regarding the harmful effects of trans fatty
  acids?
• If there are concerns regarding trans fatty
  acids, what are the alternatives?
• Is Olestra a safe and healthy alternative?
• Will students and staff be more apt to choose
  product with or without Olestra?

6
The Food We Eat A Mystery?

• A survey was conducted polling more than 40
  persons on the ASU Polytechnic / CGCC Campus to
  answer some of these questions. Questions asked
• Do you know what trans fatty acids are?
• Do you know what foods they are found in?
• Do you know what Olestra is?
• Do you know what kind of foods it is found in?
• Do you check food labels to see if they have
  either trans fat or Olestra in them?

7
The Food We Eat A Mystery? Results of the
Survey
8
The Food We Eat A Mystery?

• Analysis of the Survey
• Number of Yes votes involving trans fat and
  Olestra recognition can be attributed to the
  education of the staff and students
• There were several individuals who were aware of
  trans fat that were unaware that a fat substitute
  existed
• The number of persons who checked labels for
  either trans fat or Olestra was significantly
  lower than the number of individuals that knew of
  their presence in food stuffs consumed daily

9
The New Craze Trans Fatty Acid

• What are trans fatty acids and why are they so
  bad for you?
• Is a fat comprised of hydrogenated oil
• Found primarily in packaged food goods,
  especially in snack foods or deep-fried foods
• Found to increase the chance for both heart
  disease and diabetes

An image of trans fatty acid
10
The New Craze Trans Fatty Acid

• What makes trans fatty different chemically
  speaking?
• Trans fat is an unsaturated fatty acid
• Due to the double bond the carbon atoms are bound
  tightly and unable to rotate like normally
  occurring fat acid with single bonds
• The name trans fat came from the normal
  configuration of the double bond between carbon
  atoms trans!

11
The New Craze What is Olestra?

• Olestra The Man-Made Fat
• Comprised of both fatty acids and sugar (sucrose)
• It has a manufactured sucrose core with 6 to 8
  fatty acids attached that the body is unable to
  metabolize
• Provides a similar texture and taste found in
  natural fat

12
Olestra The Answer?

• A closer look at Olestra, the manufactures
  perspective
• Only a small percentage of people have any
  digestive effects
• Does effect the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E
  and K, but these Vitamins have been added to the
  product to make up the loss
• Labels do warn consumers about the possible
  side-effects Olestra may cause

13
Olestra The Answer?

• Is Olestra Right For You?
• The FDA had already received more than 20,000
  such reportsmore than for any other food
  additive in history. http//www.cspinet.org/new/20
  0410251.html
• However, anal leakage could occur with some
  individuals, especially at high intakes, when
  there may also be increased flatulence, urgency
  and stool softening (attributed to the
  lubricating effect). It is not dangerous but
  unpleasant, and is the reason for the FDA label
  warning requirement. http//www.ifst.org/hottop13.
  htm
• The FDA followed a common-sense scientific
  approach when it cleared olestra's first
  regulatory hurdle. The agency concluded that
  olestra is intrinsically safe. Now consumers can
  use their own judgment in deciding when and how
  often to incorporate olestra into a
  well-balanced, varied diet. http//www.acsh.org/pu
  blications/pubID.520/pub_detail.asp

14
Olestra The Answer?Projects Conclusions

• In general individuals are aware of trans fat,
  but still willing to consume them
• General public not as aware of Olestra, but it is
  indicated that even if aware of the substitute
  theyd not likely look for it
• Olestra does equal Franken-food
• A marvel of organic chemistry, but like some
  man-made creations it can turn on its masters
• It is not truly sought after or searched for - it
  should not be placed on campus shelves in lieu of
  normal food-stuffs

15
References

• http//www.healthcastle.com/trans.shtml
• http//www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/fattyacid
  s.html
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid
• http//users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyP
  ages/F/Fats.html
• http//www.recoverymedicine.com/hydrogenated_oils.
  htm
• http//www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyrami
  ds.html
• http//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5973371/site/newsweek