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.