Just wondering because so many people are becomming obsessed with not having it, foods advertise "no trans fat", and I've heard they're making it....illegal?
2007-03-15 11:47:11 · 4 answers · asked by Katie 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Trans fatty acids (commonly termed trans fats) are a type of unsaturated fat (and may be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated).
Trans fats occur, in small quantities, in meat and dairy products from ruminants. Most trans fats consumed today, however, are industrially created as a side effect of partial hydrogenation of plant oils — a process developed in the early 1900s and first commercialized as Crisco in 1911. Partial hydrogenation changes a fat's molecular structure (raising its melting point and reducing rancidity), but this process also results in a portion of the changed fat becoming trans fat.
Unlike other fats, trans fats are neither required nor beneficial for health. Eating trans fat increases the risk of coronary heart disease.For these reasons, health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are generally considered to be more of a health risk than those occurring naturally.
2007-03-15 11:51:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A trans fatty acid is what happens to a cis fatty acid (omega 3, omega 6) when the molecule gets twisted around where the missing hydrogen bonds are across (across =trans in latin) from each other. This gives the molecule the wrong shape and it will try to fulfill but will screw up the functions that are meant for the cis fatty acids. This will severely degrade the function of your cells and can cause problems such as cancer. It comes from spoiling or excessive heating of polyunsaturated fats (such as in the hydrogenation process).
Avoid anything that is deep fried or partially hydrogenated oils such as margarine.
Here is a link with some more info.
2007-03-15 23:21:36 · answer #2 · answered by fitman 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
oh my gawd trans fats are so bad for you. they clog up your arteries and give you heart attacks. they probably also give you cancer.
its oil thats chemically altered to be solid- like crisco or margarine. its like cement in your veins
dont eat it dont eat it dont eat it dont eat it
2007-03-15 18:51:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Type into your search engine "what is trans fat" and you'll get all the info you need and more....
2007-03-15 19:15:47 · answer #4 · answered by trainer53 6 · 2⤊ 6⤋