Dr. Afroze Ahmad
So, what is all this hoopla about trans fats?
Some people believe the jury is still out as to whether trans fats are the bad fats or not. Once upon a time, trans fats were, indeed, considered to be a good thing. Why? Because trans fats not only prolong the shelf life of a product, but the fact is these products also taste good. These positives are translated into enjoying your favorite food for a very long time. These products include everything from an Oreo cookie to a frozen TV dinner.
Enjoying your favorite food without it going stale on you for a prolonged period of time is where the party ends. Once the trans fats enter our digestive tract, it is no longer pretty or rosy.
DEFINITION OF TRANS FATS
Trans fat is generally any type of fat that is solid at room temperature. There are both naturally occurring trans fats and artificial trans fats. The naturally occurring trans fat in animal sources includes beef, lamb, ice cream, yogurt and butter.
However, the most common type of trans fat is the artificial type. Generally, these artificial trans fats are your regular vegetable oils. So, these vegetable oils, which are essentially liquid at room temperature, undergo a process whereby they receive a hydrogen atom. This hydrogen atom causes hydrogenation of the vegetable oil, and thus the oil saturates and solidifies.
DANGER OF TRANS FATS
Similar to saturated fats, these trans fats raise the bad cholesterol, or the LDL. Unlike the saturated fats, the trans fats also have the tendency to lower the good cholesterol, which also is called the HDL. As we know, the bad cholesterol gets deposited into the arteries like gunk in your kitchen sink drainpipe. It is this depositing of fats and cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke or even fatal heart attack.
BIG BROTHER AND TRANS FATS IS A GOOD THING
The concern for trans fats creating havoc in arteries has not been lost on our government. The Food and Drug Administration has been imposing rules and restrictions on not only how much saturated fat we can consume as individuals, but also on how much trans fat should be part of the total saturated fat.
The recommendation is we should only consume
7 percent of our calories from saturated fat, and it should include 0 percent from trans fat. Yes, 0 percent from trans fat. It started with New York City restaurants, and now the ban is universal for the entire food industry to completely eliminate trans fat.
NOT ALL NEWS IS BAD NEWS
What about fast food? McDonald’s Web site does declare trans fat is not a component of their food products. There are manufacturers selling cookies and other pre-cooked foods, and declaring their products are trans fat free. So, you may have to pay a little more for a trans fat free product.
RULE OF READING FOOD LABELS
Any food label stating 0 trans fat may still contain trans fat up to 0.5 grams. The Food and Drug Administration allows this leniency to the food manufacturing industry.
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD
So, the next time you reach out for the mouthwatering blueberry muffin, think twice and read thrice as to what it contains. As we all know, healthy dietary habits and food generally are more expensive. Nevertheless, there are options available to us. Eat fruits and raw vegetables as snacks, and you will significantly reduce the consumption of trans fat.
Dr. Afroze Ahmad is a multiple board certified cardiologist practicing at Las Sendas Cardiology, PC, located at 3514 N. Power Road. For information, or to make an appointment, call (480) 361-9949.