Attack of TransFATS

I've been wanting to find out more about this Trans-Fatty Acid thing i've been told about for sometime... but as usual, thinking that i will do it later. Well, later finally came. And it is truely scarey how much of these we are consuming without us knowing it.

Simple summary, trans fats is something found in many of the things we eat today. French Fries, Cookies, Margarine and many fried food. Cos trans fats not only increases bad cholesterol (like saturated fats), it also decreases your GOOD cholesterols which helps protect you from heart diseases!

It is used in fast food restaurants to keep the vegi oil from changing colour after many times of use. So dont think that if they use vegi oil, it means its a good thing.

The stiffer and harder fats are, the more they clog up your arteries. Trans fats do the same thing in our bodies that bacon grease does to kitchen sinks. Over time, they can "clog the pipes" that feed the heart and brain, which can lead to heart attack or stroke risk.

Not scarey enough, let the experts tell u more.

Heres some paragraphs i quoted from a few of the many websites trying to bring awareness to the public about trans fats:

Trans fatty acids, also known as Trans Fats, is an artery-clogging fat that is formed when vegetable oils are hardened into margarine or shortening. It is found in many other foods besides margarine and shortening, however, including fried foods like french fries and fried chicken, doughnuts, cookies, pastries and crackers. In the United States, typical french fries have about 40 percent trans fatty acids and many popular cookies and crackers range from 30 percent to 50 percent trans fatty acids. Doughnuts have about 35 percent to 40 percent trans fatty acids.

Trans fat is known to increase blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, while lowering levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol. It can also cause major clogging of arteries, type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, and was found to increase the risk of heart disease. Many food companies use trans fat instead of oil because it reduces cost, extends storage life of products and can improve flavor and texture.


An article from the U.S.
Food and Drugs Administration

Trans Fats 101
by Uniservisty of Maryland Medical Center

And from our very own Health Promotion Board