The baby of the huge Kao Corporation, Enova was introduced in Japan in 1999 as a “Food for Specified Health Use” (a label claim allowed by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare). With Japanese waistlines expanding, the populace was hungry for food products unfriendly to spare tires. Kao and independent analysts were understandably optimistic about Enova’s market potential. However, even the best bean-counting futurists could not have foreseen the ensuing supermarket stampedes to purchase a bottle of non-fattening fat. Enova was an underestimated blockbuster that triggered a frenzy of R&D activity in an attempt to appease a new, loyal, but impatient market . . . good problems. Dozens of new products soon began lining Japanese supermarket shelves including salad dressings, canned tuna, margarines, mayonnaise, and other oil-based formulated foods. In 2002, Kao formed a joint venture with the Archer Daniels Midland Company (known as ADM Kao LLC) to market Enova outside of Asia. Earlier this year, ADM Kao LLC introduced Enova to America.

Understanding how Enova works requires some knowledge of its chemical structure . . . welcome to biochemistry 101. Vegetable oils (olive, corn, soy, canola, etc.) are composed of triglycerides – “E-shaped” molecules having 3 fatty acids (the “arms” of the “E”) each connected in special way to one of the 3 carbon atoms in a glycerol molecule (the vertical base of the “E”). Because there are three fatty acids in the molecule, it is logically called a triglyceride. If one of the fatty acids is chopped off (and only 2 fatty acids remain), it becomes a diglyceride, like Enova. Although diglycerides can exist with 2 fatty acids on any of the 3 glycerol carbon atoms, Enova technology requires fatty acids to be attached to the end carbons only. The center position is always vacant. (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1
Structural Differences Between Vegetable Oil and Enova™ Brand Oil

When we consume any vegetable oil (triglycerides), enzymes in the gut cleave off the two end-position acids leaving the middle fatty acid intact. The 2 liberated acids and centered monoglyceride then pass into the intestinal wall where they are reassembled, i.e. back into triglycerides. Now back intact, triglycerides are “packaged” into fat bundles (chylomicrons) and whooshed off to our least favorite fat depots.

By comparison, the Enova diglyceride is axed into 2 fatty acids and a molecule of glycerol during transit in the digestive tract. Once inside the epithelial cells of the intestinal wall, reassembly does not take place. Without a centered monoglyceride (as produced in vegetable oil metabolism), epithelial lipases are unable to reconstruct the original molecule. It’s simply the nature of the enzymatic machinery. Consequently, glycerol and free fatty acids are reassigned to the body’s chemical plant, the liver, where they are burned (oxidized) for energy. (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2
Differences in Metabolism of Vegetable Oil and Enova™ Brand Oil

Less fat storage may aid weight loss if the calories spared from storage are not re-created from other sources. For example, if an Enova-induced fat storage deficit is compensated (100%) by the creation and storage of fat from other sources (glucose, glycogen, protein) have we really won the battle, much less the war? If compensatory fat synthesis/storage is less than 100%, body weight should decrease. So far, Enova research supports a modest possible weight loss (3-4% over 5 ½ months – certainly less than spectacular). Rightfully, Kao and Archer Daniels Midland have been overtly cautious in their claims. (They use the word “may” frequently).

Is Enova a smart choice for health-conscious consumers? Beginning in 2000, Kao successfully notified the U.S. FDA of the GRAS (“generally regarded as safe”) status of Enova as a cooking oil and for use in vegetable oil spreads, like mayo. In addition, ADM Kao LLC concurrently obtained GRAS status for many other food applications. The animal testing to support “GRAS” claims implies the absence of cancer-causing potential. But, although diglycerides, like Enova, have been approved for years as emulsifiers, there is a quantum leap (consumption-wise) from ingesting diglycerides in relatively small amounts (as an oil-water binder) vs. an food oil replacement. Intervention studies on humans from Japan (16 weeks, non-obese males) and the Chicago Center for Clinical Research (24 weeks, obese women and men) are supportive of Enova’s safety over an extended time period – lower triglycerides, unflinching cholesterol levels, and disappointingly low weight losses. The best indicator of long-term safety, however, has to be the Japanese experience, where a clean health record has accompanied widespread consumption, 5 years and counting.

The potential of diglycerides in the treatment of heart disease and diabetes is currently being tested. For consumers looking for weight loss products, Enova may help – just don’t expect miraculous results. If you live in Atlanta or Chicago you can purchase Enova at several popular stores, including:

Atlanta –
Winn Dixie, Piggly Wiggly, Save Rite, Kroger’s, Whole Foods

Chicago –
WiseWay, Cub foods, Osco, Jewel, Treasure Island

Otherwise, Enova can be bought online at http://www.enovaoil.com/.

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