Health Care

by Benjamin Glenn

Trans fat is the common name for a type of unsaturated fat with trans isomer fatty acids. Trans fats may be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated.

Trans fats are produced when liquid oil is made into a solid fat. This process is called hydrogenation. Trans fats act like saturated fats and can raise your cholesterol level. Trans fats are listed on the label, making it easier to identify these foods. Unless there is at least 0.5 grams or more of trans fat in a food, the label can claim 0 grams. If you want to avoid as much trans fat as possible, you must read the ingredient list on food labels. Look for words like hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil. Select foods that either do not contain hydrogenated oil or where a liquid oil is listed first in the ingredient list.

Most trans fats consumed today are industrially created by partially hydrgenating plant oils -- a process developed in the early 1900s and first commercialized as Crisco in 1911. ( Otherwise known as Lard) The goal of partial hydrogenation is to add hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats, making them more saturated. These more saturated fats have a higher melting point making them attractive for baking, and extending their shelf-life

Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats are neither required nor beneficial for health. Eating trans fats increases the risk of coronary heart desease. For these reasons, health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are generally considered to be more of a health risk than those occurring naturally.

Sources of trans fat include:

Processed foods like snacks (crackers and chips) and
baked goods (muffins, cookies and cakes) with
hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil
Stick margarines
Shortening
Some fast food items such as french fries
Cholesterol

There you have it. Trans fat is just a pretty name for Lard, which has been around and clogging arteries for close to a century. It seems that the things that we enjoy the best are always the most dangerous to us.

If you can't put down those fries or chips, try to at least cut back on the amount that you consume. Your heart and arteries will thank you for it. Below is some information to think about while consuming that double burger you love so well.

Cancer: There is no scientific consensus that consumption of trans fats significantly increases cancer risks across the board. However, one recent study has found connections between trans fat and prostate cancer.

Diabetes: There is a growing concern that the risk of type 2 diabetes increases with trans fat consumption Obesity: Research indicates that trans fat may increase weight gain and abdominal fat, despite a similar caloric intake. Although obesity is frequently linked to trans fat in the popular media, this is generally in the context of eating too many calories; there is no scientific consensus connecting trans fat and obesity.

Liver Dysfunction: Trans fats are metabolized differently by the liver than other fats and interfere with delta 6 desaturase. (Delta 6 desaturase is an enzyme involved in converting essential fatty acids to arachidonic acid and prostaglandis both of which are important to the functioning of cells.)

Infertility: One 2007 study found, "Each 2% increase in the intake of energy from trans unsaturated fats, as opposed to that from carbohydrates, was associated with a 73% greater risk of ovulatory infertility...".


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source:www.goarticles.com/