How crazy does this sound? Apparently there is a food additive that can minimize the damage caused by foods high in fat. This additive is called hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) which is already used to provide texture in foods, such as sauces, fillings, and glazes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers have found that HMPC may also reduce the risk of type II diabetes. Their study involved a group of hamsters who were fed a diet with 38% of its calories derived from fat, which is similar to the fat content in American fast food, over a four week time period. Another group of hamsters were fed the same high fat diet with HPMC added. These hamsters showed no signs of developing insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type II diabetes, while the other group of hamsters that did not have HPMC added to their diet did. Scientists are not sure of the mechanism that gives HPMC it's beneficial effects, but it appears that HPMC slows down the absorption of fats into the digestive system and controls the transport of fat into the adipose tissue where it is stored. There is a limit to how much fat can be stored in the adipose tissue, so when too much fat is eaten some of it is stored in non-adipose tissues, such as the liver, pancreas, and heart. Researchers are now hopeful that they will find a food ingredient that can counteract all the negative effects of high fat foods.
I have mixed feelings about this article. It would be nice to be able to eat those foods we so guiltily crave. However, if HPMC is able to be further modified to significantly decrease the harmful effects of high fat content, then people might take advatage of this and increase their fat intake to the point where HPMC may become ineffective. It reminds me of those who take Lipitor and assume it will save them from all the bacon, butter, and cheese fries they eat in a day. You can't depend on a drug to save you from your bad habits.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/04/02/fast-food-diabetes.aspx
http://diabetes1.org/News/Diabetics_Fast_Food_and_HPMC
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=additive-might-fight-fast
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This research sounds very promising, but while reading your post, I couldn't help but think about the side effects of a fat-blocking drug. There is one fat-blocking drug on the market today that has very strange and undignified side effects. The drug is Orlistat, a pharmaceutical compound marketed by GlaxoSmithKline by the common name "Alli" (pronounced like "al-eye").
Orlistat Wiki (note the structure): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlistat
Orlistat (Alli) is a dietary supplement aimed at overweight people with high-fat diets (read: Americans). Alli is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme lipase. During digestion, the compound works directly on the lipase enzymes in the small intestine, preventing the breakdown, and thus the uptake of fats from food. Let us take a minute to think about the consequences of blocking the fat from absorbing into your intestine? Hmmmm....
Yes, the side effects are very gastronomical! Uncontrollable bowel movements, diarrhea and what GSK calls "oil spotting" are just the beginning of a long and arduous process toward "health." Just how far are some willing to go to avoid regular exercise and proper diet? Clearly, not far enough.
Alli site: http://www.myalli.com/default.aspx
A review by the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alli/WT00030
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