Hydrogenated Oils & Trans Fats
Ever since scientists discovered that they could solidify, or
partially solidify, vegetable oil by heating it in the presence
of hydrogen and particles of nickel, the food industry has
become increasingly dependant on the resulting products;
hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Hydrogenated vegetable oils, and therefore the products that
they go into, have a longer shelf life and are easier to store
and transport than unprocessed vegetable oils. However, at what
cost to our general health?
It is now known that only one type of fat is worse for you than
saturated fat ? the trans fats produced by the partial
hydrogenation of vegetable oils. These fats are found in such
things as: margarines and many spreads, including some brands
of peanut butter; many sweets and chocolates; fried and
takeaway foods; and commercially produced baked products, such
as bread, cakes and pies. Small amounts of naturally occurring
trans fats are also found in some animal products, such as
butter, dairy produce, lamb and beef.
So, what?s the problem? The convenience and profitability of
trans fats has led the food industry to become increasingly
dependant on them and, consequently, has led to their massive
over-consumption in the western diet. The indications are now ?
very strongly ? that trans fats not only raise the levels of the
bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, they actually decrease the
levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, thereby having the worst
possible effect on overall cholesterol levels. There is also
evidence that trans fats increase the amount of triglycerides
in the blood stream and make platelets in the blood stickier
and, therefore, more prone to form clots inside blood vessels.
Bad news all round and very probably a major contributory
factor to increasingly higher rates of heart disease.
So, what?s the solution? Given that some trans fats are
naturally occurring in the general ?healthy? diet, it would not
be a good idea to try and remove them from your diet completely.
Also at the moment, due to the scale of their use and the lack
of clear food labelling guidelines, it would be almost
impossible. However, as food manufacturers and government
authorities are now waking up to the dangers, the situation is
changing. The most sensible approach would be to try to keep
your consumption of trans fats to a minimum. The best way to do
that, is to avoid the over consumption of fast food, ?treats?
and takeaways. Hey! Isn?t that something that we all should be
doing anyway?
About The Author: Mel Richards is a Personal Trainer, Nutrition
Advisor & Sports Therapist, based in Spain.
http://www.weight-loss-holidays.com
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