My Healthy Tidbits

Trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils have no place in our diet.  Trans fats have found their way into most packaged foods; cookies, cereals, crackers and peanut butter, to name a few.  Foods made with hydrogenated fats are cheaper and last longer, but consumers pay a higher price in the long run, since trans fats provide little nutritional benefits to the body and are, in fact, harmful.

Trans fats raise the LDL (bad) cholesterol, while reducing the level of HDL (good) cholesterol.  Trans fats have been shown to decrease the body’s ability to produce natural anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, those hormone-like substances that regulate many of the body’s functions. 

Trans fats interfere with the ability of the cells of the body to metabolize the fats that are good for you.  They can weaken cell membranes and clog the arteries.  They are linked to other health problems, including decreased testosterone, abnormal sperm production, prostate disease, obesity, immune-system depression and diabetes.  Trans fats are known to increase degenerative diseases including, heart disease, cancer, birth defects and hinder brain function.

The health dangers of trans fats have been known for decades, yet food companies still poison consumers with hydrogenated oils.  The FDA has allowed labeling to say, “No Trans Fat”, when the product does, in fact, contain trans fat (partially hydrogenated oils).  Please read all food labels and avoid this dangerous fat.