A novel product has been developed in Japan, called DAG oil (brand name: Healthy Econa Cooking Oil).

DAG oil is processed from soy and canola oils, but one of the three fatty acids is removed. Regular oil is fat in a liquid form and is comprised of a backbone molecule (glycerol) with three fatty acids at positions 1, 2, and 3. During digestion, fats and oils are taken apart and reassembled [by the body] before being transported to the liver for further processing.

Below is what I have gathered on DAG so far. Of course, if anyone comes across anything to add, feel free to add to this thread.

Also, if there is anyone on the board from Japan, I am VERY interested in buying 4 bottles of this product for my own use and experimentation ... private message me and we can arrange it.

Anyway, here we go:

- DAG is a food product that has received GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1) The safety of DAG oil was studied and no adverse effects were noted. (2)

- DAG oil is similar to other fats and oils, but behaves in a very different fashion. It is nearly completely absorbed (3) but rather than being used for energy and storage the way most consumed fat is, DAG interferes with normal fat processing. This intereference has been shown to decrease fat stores within the liver and reduce total body fat.

- It has been shown to reduce both subcutaneous bodyfat (under the skin) and visceral bodyfat (in the abdomen, surrounding your organs). Decreasing subcutaneous fat has appearance benefits, decreasing visceral fat appears to have siognificant health benefits.

- DAG oil consumption is also associated with an increase in fat burning. It's not clear how this happens, but it has been shown that consumption of DAG oil increases beta-oxidation (a chemical term referring to the "burning" of fat for energy). (4) This finding seems to support the suggestion that the majority of the matabolic effects of DAG are due to its metabolite 1-monoglycerol (MAG). DAG contains two fatty acids, attached at the number 1 and number 3 positions. The number 3 position fatty acid can be removed and burned for energy and apparantly does so with great vigor. The fatty acid at the number 1 position is resistant to being moved. The DAG fragment, MAG, appears to be responsible for the matabolic effects of DAG oil. (5)

- Human studies with DAG oil have demonstrated the expected clinical effects. Daily use of DAG oil, at a dose of 10 grams per day, has been shown to significantly increase fat loss with a hypo-caloric diet [reduced calorie diet]. (6)

- When consuming a diet 500 - 800 calories under maintenance, that DAG group lost a greater amount of weight, including a reduction in both visceral and subcutaneous fat. These findings were supported by the results of a second, similar study. (7) Subcutaneous fat is the fat immediately under the skin, the fat that can be grabbed by using the "Special K" pinch [pinching a skinfold a the waist]. A loss of subcutaneous fat is the goal of bodybuilders, as it provides a clearer presentation of muscularity. Visceral fat is fat contained within the "gut" [around your internal organs] and is associated with many diseased states. By decreasing visceral fat, it's possible that health risks may be minimized. (6)

- A single dose study of DAG oil has also been published, looking at the effects of DAG consumption on fat levels in the blood following a meal. Consuming DAG, as opposed to fat, prevented an increase in blood fat levels. (8) A later study, looking at long term use of DAG, showed a decrease in blood fat levels in persons with elevated blood fats (serum triglycerides). (6, 9) Elevated triglycerides are associated with vascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

- DAG oil holds promise, but clearly further research is needed. Most of the research has been sponsored by the manufacturing company, which generally causes people to raise their eyebrows. Also, all of the studies have been conducted in Japan on the Japanese population. The studies were well designed, and included large numberrs of people, which are good signs. However, differences in diet, culture, and genetics may effect the results as this product makes its way to the American (and the WORLD) population.

- There is no doubt that DAG oil is a new approach to calorie control and fat reduction that holds great promise for long-term weight loss and health management. The use of DAG oil in conjunction with a hypo-caloric diet may soon provide an effective tool and its introduction is worth anticipating.

- The Japanese manufacturer of DAG oil (Kao Corporation)is currently working with an American company (Archer Daniels Midland) to produce DAG oil here in the United States, but no date has been set as to when we will see an American version of this product.

REFERENCES:

1. Rulis AM, Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. GRN 000056. Office of Premarket Approval, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. December 4, 2000.

2. Soni MG, Kimura H, et al. Chronic study of diaclyglycerol oil in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2001 Apr; 39 (4): 317-29.

3. Taguchi H, Nagao T, et al. Energy value and digestability of dietary oil containing mainly 1,3-diaclyglycerol are similar to those of triglycerol. Lipids 2001 Apr; 36 (4): 379-82.

4. Murata M, Ide T, et al. Reciprial responses to dietary diaclyglycerol of hepatic enzymes of fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in rat. Br J Nutr 1997 Jan; 77 (1): 107-21.

5. Watanabe H, Nagao T, et al. Long-term effects of dietary diaclyglycerol on body fat matabolism in man. White paper provided by Kao Corporation via Archer Daniels Midland.

6. Katsuragi Y, Yoi T, et al. Effects of dietary diaclyglycerol on obesity and hyperlipidemia. White paper provided by Kao Corporation via Archer Daniels Midland.

7. Maki K, Davidson M, et al. Diaclyglycerol oil vs. soybean oil in a weight reduction diet. Obesity Res 2000 Oct; 8 (Suppl 1): 78S

8. Taguchi H, Watanabe H, et al. Double-blind controlled study on the effects of dietary diaclyglycerol on postpranadial serum and chylomicron triclyglycerol responses in healthy humans. J Am Coll Nutr 2000 Nov-Dec; 19 (6): 789-96

9. Watanabe H, Onizawa K, et al. Effects of DAG on lipid metabolism in human. White paper provided by Kao Corporation via Archer Daniels Midland.

Very interesting information on a product line in development. So interesting, in fact, that I've moved it here to the Technical Low Carbing\Research & Media forum.

You may wish to 'link' or point to this thread in the Excercise\CKD Forum and quite possibly the Local Support Groups Forum (for a response to your available-only-in-Japan product query)?

Thanks for letting us know about this.

Indeed, great article Dan! I'm curious to know if there are any adverse effects on absorption and utilisation of the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E & K.

Just a note - duplicating posts in multiple forums isn't the best plan. Different members may answer the post in one forum, while missing important discussion and replies that have take place in another forum. Best to keep the thread in one place, so that all relevant discussion also stays in one place. Using a link, however, is a terrific idea

Doreen

Kao Corporation and Archer Daniels Midland Company Announce Alliance
<http://www.kao.co.jp/e/corp_e/images/footbar.gif>


February 27, 2001

Kao Corporation and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) of the USA have signed a letter of intent to form a 50/50 joint venture for the manufacturing, marketing and sales of diacylglycerol (DAG) oil, the primary material in Healthy Econa Cooking Oil currently sold in Japan, as an ingredient for the food industry. The parties contemplate that ADM would construct a pilot plant to produce DAG oil at its Decatur, Illinois facility, which would be operational by November 2001. Future developments of this new joint venture will be announced by both companies in early 2001.

Kao is focusing on the expansion of its global business and its emphasis on healthcare as factors for future growth and sees this alliance with ADM as facilitating the speedy global expansion of the DAG oil business in line with company strategy.

ADM is well positioned to bring DAG oil to the US and global markets with its access to key markets and vast production capabilities. ADM sees DAG oil as indistinguishable in taste and appearance from conventional vegetable oils and tremendous potential in expanding into virtually all foods that contain vegetable oils, including frozen dinners, cookies, and savory snacks. DAG oil is an important addition to ADM's product range of functional foods to help address the number one health issue in America: obesity.

DAG oil, the primary material in Healthy Econa Cooking Oil, has been designated as Food for Specified Health Use (FOSHU) by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (formerly called the Japanese Ministry of Public Welfare) for its innovative characteristics of preventing postprandial increase in serum triglycerides and accumulation of fat deposits. Clinical trials in the US have shown that individuals who consume foods containing DAG oil lose weight and fat mass significantly faster than those consuming conventional vegetable oils. Results from these studies were introduced at the conventions of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) and Japan Society for the Study of Obesity.

DAG oil was designated as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by an outside panel of scientific experts whose conclusion was reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2000, indicating acceptance of its safety in the United States.

Archer Daniels Midland Company
1) Representative: G. Allen Andreas, Chairman and CEO
John D. McNamara, President
2) Location: Illinois, USA
3) Business: ADM is engaged in the business of procuring, transporting, processing and marketing agricultural products. It is one of the world's largest processors of oilseeds, corn, wheat and cocoa, with over 23,000 employees worldwide, 368 processing plants.
4) Sales: Net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 of $18.6 billion.

Please direct inquiries to:
Public Relations Department
Kao Corporation
Tel: 03-3660-7043
Fax: 03-3660-7044

(From abroad)
Tel: +81-3-3660-7043
Fax: +81-3-3660-7044

This one is long. Here's the link:

http://www.preparedfoods.com/archiv...hyoiltrends.htm

Haven't seen any news on this from Archer Midland recently, but I just ran into an old friend who has an import business nearby ... and she imports lots of Japanese goods ... :-)

So I gave her the info on the DAG oil, and she is going about checking into it and seeing availability, cost, etc.

I'll post future news here for those interested.

You can purchase Econa DAG oil from
http://www.maruwa.com/onlineshop/spice/spice.html
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) will soon be offering this oil
in the U.S.

I love the members of this board!

Thanks for that reklaw! I'll be checking it out soon.

Not to throw water on your excitement over this product, but I didn't see anything about a study on low-carb (higher fat and protein and calorie) food consumption or even "normal" food consumption. It said that it significantly increased fat burning in a 500-800 calorie diet and lowers triglycerides, which we know low-fat diets don't do, of course. I'm sorry, but we all know that's not the way to lose weight or be healthy.

And my triglycerides have been lowered and I am burning fat on a low-carb program.

Why should I replace my natural, cold-pressed olive oil and butter with this modified/processed oil? What makes this oil so great for the average or low-carb eater? Also, by taking out that middle fatty acid are they reducing the nutritional value of the oil? This doesn't sound all that great to me.

;-Deb

They have two Ekona oils listed -- one for cholesterol and one for fat. Do you know which one is the correct one? Seems like from the info that 1 oil should do both. Are they the same?

Thanks for your help.

DebPenny...

I think you may have misread the article. It says 500-800 calories below maintainance...not 500-800 calories total. You're right, though... 500-800 calories a day would not be wise under any circumstances.

Well, this thread is finally seeing some action ...

These are the reasons why DAG oil is appealing to me (from my original post):



I am always looking for a way to decrease my bodyfat stores ... but that's just me.

I don't intend to give up any of my other sources of fat. I just plan to add this to the mix. I mean, adding 10g of this oil per day is 2T. of oil. That's a salad dressing. No sweat. I think I can substitute this into my meal planning as a substitute for some of my flax or olive oil without upsetting the universe.

To each their own ...

Thanks for the clarification, Lisa. As Trainerdan said, "To each his own." As far as I'm concerned, it's just one more fake food. I'll stick with the natural foods I eat on TSP.

And one more question: I don't remember exactly the description of trans fats, but doesn't taking out a fatty acid make this a trans fat?

;-Deb

Leaving out one fatty acid does not make it a trans fatty acid.
A trans fatty acid is the geometry of a unsaturated portion of a fatty acid or the angle of the double bond and the single bond on each side. For brevity I only show a small segment of a fatty acid

.....C-C=C-C.....
(C) is a carbon atom, ( = )is a double bond or unsaturated site ,
( - ) is a single bond

The natural geometry is in a U shape or CIS position,in other words the first carbon atom (C) is angled up and the last carbon atom is angled up. In unprocessed(no high temperature exposure or partial hydrogenation) fatty acids with a double bond is in the CIS configuration and occurs 100% of the time.

In a Trans fatty acid the first carbon atom( C ) shown is angled up and the last carbon atom is angled down . This results in a shape of a lazy s or ~ (tilde) called Trans configuration. Trans fatty acids are the result of heating the oil to a high temperature or hydrogenating the oil. Hydrogenation eliminates some or all of the double bonds ( unsaturated sites)
The FDA will soon require labeling of the amount of trans fatty acids in foods. These Trans fatty acids are suspect in cardiovascular disease as well as other heath issues . To my undersatanding , trans fatty acids get into your system and become incorporated in cells .The problem is that the geometry
of trans fatty acids is incorrect to properly function in metbolic systems. There are some good sites out there about trans fatty acids.
Man .... can i get long winded.

To address the issue of DAG oil. My understanding is that all triglycerides ( animal or vegitable fats) and Diglycerides
( Diacylglycerides{Dag oil} and some components of olive oil) are broken up into glycerin and fatty acids during metabolism. These components that are not used as energy are reassymbled in the epithelial cells of the small intestine as fats . From there the fats can be stored as human fat in the omentium and on the hips ( major adipose storage sites) .
Dag oil has a missing fatty acid and therefore disrupts this fat reassembly and is available for energy usage only through metabolism in the liver. I believe that DAG oil would be effective when used with a low caloric diet regiem to reduce adipose fat storage. In the Japanese studies the target subjects were obese.
I have used 1 bottle DAG oils to repace oil used in salad dressings and baking.
I have not use it enough to comment on effectiveness.