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Study Shows Trans Fats Could Be Hiding In Your Food

Study Shows Trans Fats Could Be Hiding In Your Food

You’ve probably heard of trans fats and their unhealthy reputation. Do you know where they are found and how to avoid them? A new study shows that they might be in more of your food than you think.

What are trans fats?
According to The Mayo Clinic, while small amounts of trans fats are naturally found in animal products, they are mostly formed through a process where hydrogen and vegetable oil are mixed. When the combination is exposed to room temperature, it turns solid. Trans fats are mostly used as a preservative in store bought snacks, though partially hydrogenated oil is often found in restaurant deep fryers because it needs to be changed less often than other oils.

What effect do they have on your health?
The Mayo Clinic explained that trans fats are considered among the worst ingredients you can consume. Trans fats not only raise bad levels of cholesterol, but lower levels of good cholesterol. According to the source, this combination is lethal because it greatly increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Hidden trans fats
According to National Public Radio, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its plan to ban trans fats from food products in Nov. 2013. Many products stopped using them after this announcement, though an official ban has yet to be issued.

A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the results of an investigation into how many pre-packaged foods on grocery store shelves still contain the harmful preservative. While some labels included trans fats as an ingredient, many did not. Researchers found that about 84 percent of products containing trans fats were labeled as having zero grams.

NPR noted that labels can claim zero grams of trans fats as long as there is less than 0.5 grams present. Read the ingredient list instead and look for hydrogenated oil.

Look for better fats
The Mayo Clinic noted that many manufacturers have started to replace trans fats with other fats. The source recommended also staying away from food that uses saturated fats, as these can still raise bad cholesterol levels. Instead, try looking for monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fat contains omega-3 fatty acids which are shown to provide health benefits.

One way to consume omega-3s is through a supplement. When looking for an efficient, top-of-the-line supplement, take a look at Omax3. This premium supplement is 91 percent omega-3 and was developed by doctors associated with Yale University.

Essential Takeaways

Trans fats should be avoided when planning a healthy diet because of their effect on your cholesterol.
Even products listed as having zero grams of trans fats can have up to 0.5 grams.
Monounsaturated fat is better to consume because it contains healthy omega-3s.
Get your omega-3s by taking Omax3


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