Generally speaking, fats are categorized as either saturated or unsaturated, depending on their state at room temperature and their cholesterol content. Trans-fats are clearly the worst form of fats that you can include in your diet.
So, what exactly is trans-fat?
Also referred to as trans-fatty acids, trans-fats have been described as unsaturated fat that contain trans-isomer fatty acids. They are either formed naturally or industrially through the hydrogenation process. Naturally occurring trans-fats are found in very minute quantities in meat and dairy products, while the artificial formation of trans-fats occurs during the process of hydrogenation. This partially hydrogenated oil forms the major part of trans-fats consumed in the human diet. It is found in processed snacks such as potato, tortilla or corn chips, deep fried foods such as French fries, deep fried pastries such as doughnuts, fried chicken and fish, with these food items deriving trans-fats from the oil used in frying them. Margarines and non-dairy coffee creamers also contain trans-fats, as do most of the modern processed snacks and foods.
Why should we avoid trans-fats in our diet?
In medical circles, trans-fat is considered the worst type of fat to include in your diet. Not only does it raise low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the body, thus raising the level of unhealthy cholesterol in your body, it also lowers the high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the body, thus lowering the levels of healthy cholesterol in your body.
While minute traces of trans-fats are present in animal products such as meat and dairy products, most human beings owe their high levels of unhealthy cholesterol in their bodies to the consumption of high amounts of hydrogenated oils. These trans-fats are not essential to our bodily needs, but instead negatively affect our health in the following ways:
Obesity
Studies have shown that all obese people have very high levels of trans-fats in their body. Not only is obesity unhealthy, it is also likely to bring about a host of other health conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, etc. To avoid falling into this deadly trap, cut down on your intake of trans-fats in your diet to the bare minimum and aim at eliminating it altogether.
Coronary Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s
Consumption of high levels of trans-fats leads to accumulation of unhealthy cholesterol in blood vessels and the heart, leading to affliction with the coronary heart disease. A similar link has also been established in studies, between trans-fats and Alzheimer’s.
Liver Disease
Trans- fats are metabolized differently in the liver, thus overconsumption causes a strain on the liver, leading to liver diseases such as fatty liver, etc.
Infertility
Studies have shown that infertility is directly liked to trans-fat rich diet.
However, there are a few naturally occurring trans-fat that are considered to be healthy such as the ones found in dairy and meats of grass-feeding animals.
In addition to the above diseases, ongoing research seems to indicate a link between them and cancer and type-two diabetes. It is clearly in your best interest to cut down your intake of trans- fats, and if possible eliminate the same all-together. Make the smart choice today; avoid trans- fats for a richer and healthier lifestyle.
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