Olean/Olestra/Sucrose Polyester

Known Side Effects and Potential Risks

by John L. Chastain

In 1968 Procter & Gamble researchers, while searching for a way of increasing the fat intake of premature babies, created a fat substitute, sucrose polyester. They named their product "olestra".¹ Olestra is also marketed under the brand name Olean®.

Olestra is a synthetic mixture of sugar and vegetable oil, which passes through the human digestive system without being absorbed. Chemically it's a sucrose molecule to which are esterified as many as eight fatty-acid residues.¹ It is the product of the interaction of sucrose with the methyl esters of long chain fatty acids. Sucrose, a disaccharide of glucose and fructose, contains eight hydroxyl groups that can react with fatty acids.² It has so many fatty acid spokes around a central core that digestive enzymes and bacteria in the intestinal tract can not find an entry point to break down the molecule. As a result it passes through the body without releasing any fat or calories.³ It can be used to fry foods.

After Procter & Gamble spent $200 million developing Olestra and $5-10 million promoting Fat Free Pringles prior to their release in the Columbus, Ohio area,⁴ the Food and Drug Administration approved the product for use as a substitute for fat in salty, savory, snack foods on January 24^th, 1996. It is predicted that Olestra will generate $1.5 billion in annual sales and will likely be one of the biggest things in Procter and Gamble history.¹ The approval from the FDA was not unequivocal. It included the caveat that all snacks containing Olestra must carry a label that states:

This product contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E and K have been added.¹

Procter & Gamble does admit, "Some people eating large amounts of Olestra snacks may experience common GI symptoms such as stomach discomfort or changes in stool consistency ... These symptoms present no health risks." In explaining what they meant by "large amounts" they stated, "In real life snacks are eaten on average five times in a 14 day period."⁵

On Jan. 27, 1997 the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) issued a press release stating, "Olestra Pringles sends Ohioans to Emergency Rooms". In its' report it sited 187 cases where people experienced abdominal cramping, nausea and diarrhea severe enough to compel them to seek assistance from emergency medical facilities. It was believed Olestra poisoning was the culprit.⁴

One 25-year-old male sufferer had eaten approximately 3 ounces of Fat Free Pringles. He said, "One to two hours after eating the chips I developed abdominal cramps so severe I was doubled over with pain. I had loose stools, then watery diarrhea. I vomited several times over the next several days."⁴ He also claimed that he had to make frequent trips to the bathroom over the next week.

A 20 year old Ohio State University student reported seeking assistance at the Urgent Care Unit of Student Health Services after eating six ounces of Fat Free Pringles over 2-3 days. She reported that, "Though symptoms first developed an hour or two after first eating six chips, I didn't connect the chips to the symptoms... I was given Imodium, a drug to treat diarrhea and was told to take vitamins to make up for nutrient losses."⁴ She missed several days of classes.

CSPI's report to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the 187 cases of Olestra poisoning described the symptoms that most often appeared. Of the 187 individuals, 157 (84%) reported suffering abdominal cramps and 153 (82%) reported diarrhea. Other people reported fecal urgency, incontinence, hyperborborigmus, flatus, anal leakage, oily fecal matter, nausea and vomiting. One report came from a family of seven in which both parents and all five children experienced abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Sixty-four people reported suffering severe enough symptoms to cause them to miss school or work. Several people were endangered when they experienced the onset of symptoms while driving. Others suffered the additional physical and emotional humiliation of not making it to the bathroom in time.⁴

It is impossible to scientifically prove that these symptoms are related to the Olestra in the Fat Free Pringles. However, the symptoms are identical to the ones reported in Procter & Gambles own clinical studies. The same studies that led to the FDA required labeling.

Reed Mangles, Ph D., RD in Vegetarians Journal, May 1997, stated that a good reason "to avoid" products containing Olestra is that some studies indicated that stomach cramps and diarrhea occurred in individuals who had ingested as little as 16 potato chips.⁶

More disturbing still is Dr. Mangles assertion that even at low doses (the amount in about 6 chips), Olestra significantly reduces blood levels of carotenoids.⁶ This fact is the tip of the iceberg .This prompted the FDA to label the addition of "Vitamins A, D, E and K". For the FDA to require such labeling implies that somewhere along the way it was deemed necessary to add these essential nutrients. Procter & Gamble itself contends, "Olestra reduced the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K; however, the effects can be offset by adding specified amounts of these vitamins to Olestra containing food products."⁵ Procter & Gamble's reason for adding these specific nutrients is that Vitamins A, D, E and K are all lipophilic, fat loving. This means that while Olestra is passing through the digestive system, not being digested and not being absorbed, it is absorbing and removing from the body these essential nutrients.³ Indications are that moderate daily consumption of Olestra leads to reductions in serum caretenoid levels by as much as 10%. This could presumably lead to an increase in diseases and deaths related to diminished levels of this vital nutrient. Reduction of the caretenoids lutein and zeaanthin may lead to an increased incidence of age related macular degeneration. A decrease in serum lycopene may usher in an increase in prostate cancer.³ If Olestra can influence the serum levels of these lypophilic nutrients, might it also influence the serum levels of prescription medications that also happen to be lypophilic? Any influence in the absorption and elimination of some prescription medications can readily lead to life threatening sequel.

If Procter & Gamble is to be believed, we can assume Olestra is safe for the environment. Their studies indicate Olestra will not bioconcentrate or persist. "Testing showed Olestra was not toxic to aquatic organisms including bacteria, algae, zooplankton and fish nor to terrestrial organisms including bacteria, plants, earthworms and nine mammalian species... Aerobic biodegradation was demonstrated in both aquatic and terrestrial matrices and a plausible mineralization pathway was detailed that has application to both aerobic and anaerobic environments." This information comes from

Procter & Gambles published, "Environmental Assessment of a New Food Ingredient, the Fat Replacer Olestra".⁷ It should be noted, however, that an "Environmental Assessment" is not an "Environmental Impact Statement", which tends to be much more in-depth and difficult to prepare.

A member of the review panel voiced one concern not yet mentioned in regard to the FDA approval. His concern was that the review process for food additives is itself flawed.² They are required to make their decisions based on the results of scientific experimentation and investigation sponsored by the very groups with vested interest in the results of those same experiments and studies.

I personally take exception to Procter & Gamble's assertion that foods prepared with Olestra are "Fat Free". They are not. Olestra is a fat molecule that is so large we don't nutritionally interact with it but chemically it is still very much a fat.

I also intend to avoid any food that has the potential to cause the same symptoms as staph. food poisoning. With staph. food poisoning, about two to three hours after ingesting tainted food, you begin to experience severe abdominal cramping and discomfort, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. This sounds strikingly similar to symptoms of Olestra poisoning. Throw in some anal leakage and oily fecal matter and I think you would have a pretty close match. I know 187 cases in the Columbus, Ohio area may not seem like a lot of adverse instances. CSPI contends, however, that they have conducted surveys that indicate only a small minority of cases were reported.¹ There is also the likelihood there were numerous cases where Olestra poisoning may not have been diagnosed due to it being a relatively new condition of which the medical community might not be fully aware. I also have to wonder, how many cases might there have been where an erroneous diagnosis of staph. food poisoning was indicated.

The nutritional and pharmaceutical concerns are enough to cause me to employ caution when considering the possible use of this substance. There are few instances where more vitamins are undesirable. The are numerous situations where vitamin deficiencies lead to serious clinical conditions.

Could Olestra be of benefit in the struggles against obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Dr. Mangles reported that, "People seem to eat the same amount of calories whether their food contains fat or Olestra. They eat more carbohydrate and less fat, which is good, but unless total caloric intake is reduced, weight loss won't happen. Another possibility is that people may actually eat more food since they know their snack foods are low in fat."⁶ It's not likely Olestra will have a significant effect on hypercholesterolemia because medical studies increasingly indicate this condition to be more a matter of heredity and less a matter of the level of dietary intake of cholesterol.

So I have to ask myself at this juncture, what are the possible personal benefits of my using this product? Then I must ask, what are the risks? Then I must ask, what are the $1.5 billion worth of possible annual benefits to Procter & Gamble compared the several $100 million already risked? One year after introducing their product, why did Procter & Gamble feel compelled to hire, "at least eight advertising and public relations firms to persuade the public that the chips are safe and they should buy them."⁶ It may be a bit simplistic but I still believe a really good product sells itself. After carefully considering these questions and their probable answers, I have to ask, "Don't pass me the Olestra PLEASE!"