An Indirect Means of Assessing Potential Nutritional Effects of Dietary Olestra in Healthy Subgroups of the General Population ,

Abstract

The potential for olestra to affect the absorption of dietary components was measured in 18- to 44-y-old humans and the weanling pig. Results from the studies were assessed to determine if they were relevant to subgroups of the population not included in the studies. Hypothetrically, two factors that might cause the study results not to be relevant to certain subgroups are dietary pattern and metabolic need. A dietary pattern resulting in olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios greater than those tested in the studies might produce effects greater than those measured. Metabolic needs (i.e., nutrient requirements) among subgroups greater than those of the study population might mean that any effects on nutrient absorption seen in the studies would be larger among subgroups. If olestra-to-nutrient ratios and nutrient requirements of a subgroup were less than those covered in the studies, then the effects of olestra on the nutritional status of the subgroup should be no different than the effects measured in the studies. Subgroups with high olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios were identified by calculating the ratios for those nutrients assessed in the studies [i.e., macronutrients, vitamins A (including β-carotene), D, E and K, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, iron and zinc]. Subgroups with the greatest olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios for one or more nutrients included children, teenagers and young adults, women from low income families and vegetarians. Subgroups with the greatest metabolic need for one or more nutrients included children, teenagers, and pregnant and lactating women. The olestra-to-nutrient ratios and nutrient requirements of the subgroups having the greatest ratios and requirements were compared with those of the test population. The olestra-to-nutrient intake ratios fed in the studies were greater than those for any subgroup for all nutrients except calcium, which is not affected by olestra. Metabolic needs of the test population were greater than those of all population subgroups for all nutrients. The effects of olestra on nutritional status should not be different or greater than those measured in the controlled clinical tests for subgroups not directly tested.