Aparna Pradhan
Commercially prepared baked goods such as cookies, cakes and pies, fast foods and processed foods, french fries, fried chicken, etc. sound very tempting and difficult to resist. But before you get tempted to binge on all this, think twice, as they can be very detrimental to your health. The killer fat i.e. the Trans fat hidden in them is the main culprit responsible for various health hazards. It’s a proven killer and you could be its next victim!
The health hazards of trans fats have been known for decades, yet the food companies still continue to poison customers with these killer fats. Trans fat comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation. Trans fats are preferred choices of food manufacturers as they help the food stay fresh longer, have a longer shelf life, have a less greasy feel and make the baked and fried foods crispy or crunchy. Margarine, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils all have significant amounts of trans fats.
Trans fats can play havoc on human health and have been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Their unhealthy effect on the cholesterol level is a cause of concern as they elevate the total serum cholesterol levels, increase the LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease the HDL (good cholesterol). A high LDL and low HDL is a major risk factor for heart diseases as it can cause arteriosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of fat deposits on the walls of the arteries. Since trans fats decrease the good cholesterol while increasing the bad, it is a double threat to your heart.
Diets rich in trans fat cause a redistribution of fat tissue into the abdomen and lead to a higher body weight and obesity even when the total dietary calories are controlled. Studies on primates and humans reveal that trans fats raise blood glucose and interfere with the insulin receptors in the cells that are responsible for controlling the sugar; thus having a potentially undesirable effect in diabetics.
Trans fats have a detrimental effect on the cell membrane as well as cell structures and this has a wide implication on the immune and nervous system especially the brain function. Animal studies show that trans fats lead to decrease in the levels of testosterone and elevated level of abnormal sperms in male animals.
The latest research on trans fats carried out at Harvard School of Public Health reveals a strong link between trans fats and infertility. The study concluded that "the more trans fats a woman ate, the more likely she was to be infertile."
It is evident that dietary trans fats are in fact killer fats that can increase your risk of developing serious health problems. You can reduce the risk by consuming healthy foods and avoiding foods containing trans fats. Do not give a second thought; be wiser as this is what you should do to stay healthy.
|
