Fat

We have all heard the news about TRANS FATS and how it is being excluded from lots of processed foods and cooking establishments.   Why?  Because it is plain ol' VERY BAD for you! Trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid.  Another name for trans fats is “partially hydrogenated oils."  Look for them on the ingredient list on food packages.

The scary thing is if you are eating out, MOST places (very nice restaurants at that) do not POST signs that they do not use TRANS fat in their food, so most likely you are consuming them.   You should have a choice.   You should not take a chance.

We all have family and friends who have been afflicted with serious heart conditions or high cholesterol, people who we believe ate "healthy," and now we have learned that much of what we thought was healthy was NOT.  We have to be careful.  


What are the regular foods that everyone consumes daily that have TRANS FAT unless otherwise stated?  They are PIZZA, crackers, cookies, snack foods, fried foods (unless otherwise stated), baked goods (donuts, bagels, cupcakes, cakes), sandwiches/heroes, fast food joints, just to name a few.  On anything you buy that does not say, "NO TRANS FAT," read the nutrition label, it is commonly known as:   PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED FAT/OIL.  

WHY should you CARE about partially hydrogenated oil?  Because a CHEMICAL process has taken place to produce it.   It is NOT natural.  Partially hydrogenated oils do not exist in nature. Partially hydrogenated fats and oils are processed versions of naturally occurring fats and oils. In nature, most dietary fats and oils exist in a structural form which is called the "cis" form. When these natural cis form fats are processed by bubbling hydrogen gas through them at high temperatures, they become partially hydrogenated which changes their structure to the "trans" form. The natural cis fat has a bend and the processed trans fat is a straight molecule.  When eaten, fats and oils are incorporated into cell membranes altering the composition of these delicate structures. When they interact with normal fat metabolism, they disturb function in a most deleterious manner. Hence, these substances meet the definition of a poison." Trans fats interfere with important, normal functions by inhibiting enzymes which are necessary for the body's normal metabolism of fats and they keep doing it for a long time. 

Studies have been done to show what happens to the blood and heart of people who eat ONE high fat meal.  Immediately after consumption, tests were done that showed that the heart was working harder, the blood was more saturated, and the triglycerides increased considerably.

To put it plainly, triglycerides are in your body.  You can get a blood test to let you know how much you have.   You don't want to have a lot.  If you eat a lot of fatty foods, you WILL have a lot.  Excess triglycerides in plasma is called hypertriglyceridemia. It's linked to the occurrence of coronary artery disease in some people. Elevated triglycerides may be a consequence of other disease, such as untreated diabetes mellitus. Like cholesterol, increases in triglyceride levels can be detected by plasma measurements.  

So, it is not so bad to indulge every once in a while in a not so healthy meal, but NO ONE should make it a daily habit if it consists of transfat, high salt, high sugar, or any other toxic ingredients. 

Be aware that many processed foods that say NO TRANSFAT - or low fat... have OTHER ingredients ADDED in to substitute for flavor and texture.... and those OTHER ingredients could be sugar (high fructose corn syn) or salt, or other artificial flavors....... 

Be good to your body.  Watch those fats!

Some info taken from
www.americanheart.org
www.becomehealthynow.com