One of the most important fact that has surfaced in recent times, is actually not so new. In our quest to lose fats, many people have studied the various effects of fats on our body.
Out of this quest, the very negative effects of Trans Fats became a matter of public speculation. In fact, Trans Fat is not a new discovery. As early as 1958, Dr Ancel Keys reported that such hydrogenated fats could be responsible for increased rates of heart disease.
In fact, the hydrogenating process was invented as early back as the 1902, where the first patent to create solid fat at room temperature was filed by the German chemist Wilhelm Normann. Then, Procter and Gamble bought the patent rights in 1909 and started marketing the first hydrogenated shortening, Crisco. Before this time, most fat consumed were from butterfat, beef tallow and lard. These, while sounding very fattening, are natural fats.
More recently, Dr Mary Enig proved in 1978 that the increased cancer rates could be associated with fat intake, but not if the fat taken was natural, animal fat.
It has taken a while, but in 2006, the FDA finally issued a ruling that all food labels had to show the levels of trans fats in addition to other fat content. This is a big step, as before then, trans fat was dismissed as being “inert” and therefore, harmless – which is quite far from the truth.
So, trans fats increase the bad cholesterol levels (LDL), increases risk of heart diseases and has been associated with increased rates of cancer.
The next time you pick up that junk food package, do take a look at the labels.
Showing posts with label trans fats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trans fats. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
How to tell Good Fats and Bad Fats
When you think of fats, it is hard to think that there are such things as good fats. However, this is true. It is very important that we all learn as much as we can about fats before we start thinking about losing fats or losing weight.
Our bodies need fats to function. Without fats, many vital organs like our heart, lungs, eyes and brain cannot function properly, just to name a few. The problem is not fats, the real problem in most cases is too much fats exist in the body.
So, over-indulgence aside, we also need to understand the difference between Good and Bad fats. How do you tell them apart?
Generally, good fats contain essential fatty acids, does not increase our “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels by much and can be considered the healthy choice.
Bad fats on the other hand, are fats that increase our overall cholesterol levels by much and more importantly, increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels by a disproportionately larger amount.
When your body has a good balance of good and bad cholesterol, all is well. But an imbalance, especially an accumulation of bad cholesterol can lead to several health problems.
Following s a very simplified list of some good and bad fats.
Good Fats
Unsaturated fats are generally considered to be good fats. They are divided in to two kinds – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Monounsaturated fats: these types of fats lower the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Examples include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, avocado, canola and olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have also been found to help controlling body fat, and hence, aid weight loss.
Polyunsaturated fats: these types of fats also lower total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. The most common source of these types of fats are salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils. The much touted Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group of good fats.
Bad Fats
Saturated fats are generally considered to be bad fats. There is a modern derivative known as Trans Fats which has become the talk of the town simply because it is so harmful to human health. Trans fats are created by a process known as hydrogenation and was originally intended to help fats last longer in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it is now know that trans fats is one of the main culprits for increasing the LDL levels. Worse, because of its twisted form, trans fats are hardly suitable for our bodies to assimilate and use. While saturated fats are bad, trans fats are much worse. Many commercially packaged foods and fried foods contain trans fats.
Our bodies need fats to function. Without fats, many vital organs like our heart, lungs, eyes and brain cannot function properly, just to name a few. The problem is not fats, the real problem in most cases is too much fats exist in the body.
So, over-indulgence aside, we also need to understand the difference between Good and Bad fats. How do you tell them apart?
Generally, good fats contain essential fatty acids, does not increase our “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels by much and can be considered the healthy choice.
Bad fats on the other hand, are fats that increase our overall cholesterol levels by much and more importantly, increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels by a disproportionately larger amount.
When your body has a good balance of good and bad cholesterol, all is well. But an imbalance, especially an accumulation of bad cholesterol can lead to several health problems.
Following s a very simplified list of some good and bad fats.
Good Fats
Unsaturated fats are generally considered to be good fats. They are divided in to two kinds – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Monounsaturated fats: these types of fats lower the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Examples include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, avocado, canola and olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have also been found to help controlling body fat, and hence, aid weight loss.
Polyunsaturated fats: these types of fats also lower total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. The most common source of these types of fats are salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils. The much touted Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group of good fats.
Bad Fats
Saturated fats are generally considered to be bad fats. There is a modern derivative known as Trans Fats which has become the talk of the town simply because it is so harmful to human health. Trans fats are created by a process known as hydrogenation and was originally intended to help fats last longer in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it is now know that trans fats is one of the main culprits for increasing the LDL levels. Worse, because of its twisted form, trans fats are hardly suitable for our bodies to assimilate and use. While saturated fats are bad, trans fats are much worse. Many commercially packaged foods and fried foods contain trans fats.
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