Diacylglycerol (DAG) oil
Encyclopedia
Diacylglycerol
(DAG) oil is a cooking oil
in which the ratio of triglycerides to DAG is shifted to contain mostly DAG, unlike conventional cooking oil
s, which are rich in TAG. Vegetable DAG oil, for example, contains 80% DAG and is used as a 1:1 replacement for liquid vegetable oils in all applications.
s) and TAG (triacylglycerol
s) are natural components in all vegetable oils. Through a patent-protected, enzymatic process, the DAG content of a combination of soy and canola oils is significantly increased. Unlike TAG, which is stored as body fat, DAG is immediately burned as energy. With DAG-rich oil containing more than 80% DAG, less of the oil is stored as body fat as compared to traditional oils, which are rich in TAG. Excess calories consumed by the body are converted into fat and stored regardless if it is consumed as DAG or TAG.
(GRAS) by an outside panel of scientific experts and their conclusion has been reviewed and accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). This GRAS determination is for use in vegetable oil spreads and home cooking oil. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved DAG oil to manage serum triglycerides after a meal, which leads to less build-up of body fat.
ed the same way as conventional vegetable oils, the potential side effects are no different than those of conventional oil. In addition, studies with animals and human subjects have shown no adverse effects from single dose or long-term consumption of DAG-rich oil. It has also been found that fat soluble vitamins status is not affected by the consumption of DAG-rich oil.
levels. Clinical studies in Japan have also shown that DAG oil may increase overall metabolism
, helping reduce the amount of fat already stored in the body.
In its press release announcing the temporally suspension of Econa line of products, Kao sites questions raised by European researchers on uncertain health effect of fatty acid glycidyl esters. It states fatty acid glycidyl esters contained in the products are introduced as by-product of deodorization process. It however maintains that the main ingredient DAG (Diacylglycerol) is proven safe, and it plans to resume sale after reducing the amount of fatty acid glycidyl esters introduced in its production method.
Diglyceride
A diglyceride, or a diacylglycerol , is a glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages....
(DAG) oil is a cooking oil
Cooking oil
Cooking oil is purified fat of plant origin, which is usually liquid at room temperature ....
in which the ratio of triglycerides to DAG is shifted to contain mostly DAG, unlike conventional cooking oil
Cooking oil
Cooking oil is purified fat of plant origin, which is usually liquid at room temperature ....
s, which are rich in TAG. Vegetable DAG oil, for example, contains 80% DAG and is used as a 1:1 replacement for liquid vegetable oils in all applications.
How it Works
DAG (DiacylglycerolDiglyceride
A diglyceride, or a diacylglycerol , is a glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages....
s) and TAG (triacylglycerol
Triglyceride
A triglyceride is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. There are many triglycerides, depending on the oil source, some are highly unsaturated, some less so....
s) are natural components in all vegetable oils. Through a patent-protected, enzymatic process, the DAG content of a combination of soy and canola oils is significantly increased. Unlike TAG, which is stored as body fat, DAG is immediately burned as energy. With DAG-rich oil containing more than 80% DAG, less of the oil is stored as body fat as compared to traditional oils, which are rich in TAG. Excess calories consumed by the body are converted into fat and stored regardless if it is consumed as DAG or TAG.
FDA Designation
DAG oil was designated as Generally Recognized as SafeGenerally recognized as safe
Generally recognized as safe is an American Food and Drug Administration designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act food additive tolerance requirements.-History:On January 1, 1958,...
(GRAS) by an outside panel of scientific experts and their conclusion has been reviewed and accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA). This GRAS determination is for use in vegetable oil spreads and home cooking oil. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved DAG oil to manage serum triglycerides after a meal, which leads to less build-up of body fat.
Side Effects
Because DAG oil is digestDigest
Digest can refer to any of the following:*A condensed collection or compendium of writings:**Pandects, or "The Digest", a digest of Roman law**A tax digest...
ed the same way as conventional vegetable oils, the potential side effects are no different than those of conventional oil. In addition, studies with animals and human subjects have shown no adverse effects from single dose or long-term consumption of DAG-rich oil. It has also been found that fat soluble vitamins status is not affected by the consumption of DAG-rich oil.
Research
Studies indicate that DAG oil has numerous health benefits, including reducing post-meal blood triglycerideTriglyceride
A triglyceride is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. There are many triglycerides, depending on the oil source, some are highly unsaturated, some less so....
levels. Clinical studies in Japan have also shown that DAG oil may increase overall metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
, helping reduce the amount of fat already stored in the body.
Sales suspended voluntarily
On September 16, 2009, Kao Corporation, maker of Econa Cooking Oil has voluntarily suspended sales of products containing DAG oil in Japan which includes cooking oil, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and pet food products. The company is cited as considering suspending the sales of Enova Brand Oil sold in North America. On the same day, Hagoromo Foods, maker of Sea Chicken brand of canned tuna, and Satonoyuki, maker of tofu products, have voluntarily suspended number of products made with Econa Cooking Oil sold in Japan.In its press release announcing the temporally suspension of Econa line of products, Kao sites questions raised by European researchers on uncertain health effect of fatty acid glycidyl esters. It states fatty acid glycidyl esters contained in the products are introduced as by-product of deodorization process. It however maintains that the main ingredient DAG (Diacylglycerol) is proven safe, and it plans to resume sale after reducing the amount of fatty acid glycidyl esters introduced in its production method.