[FamNatLife] Trans Fats Busted

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Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Trans Fats busted

 

In my research on the new trans fats labeling laws, I found, in my

opinion, a very serious infraction being perpetrated on American

consumers by the food companies.....

 

If you have been out label shopping lately, you have probably come

across labels reading " 0 Grams Trans Fat " , in foods such as

margarine, bean dips, chips, and many other foods that typically

contain the notoriously dangerous trans fats, known as " partially

hydrogenated oil, hydrogenated oil, and vegetable shortening " . If

you look at the " Ingredients: " portion of the label, you will still

see these hydrogenated oils listed in the content of the foods,

sometimes listed as a third ingredient, as in the Frito Lay Bean

Dip, indicating a higher weight than ingredients listed toward the

end.

 

I called Frito Lay and asked why they were advertising " 0 Grams

Trans Fat " on the front and on the Nutrition Facts sections of the

label, when they were still listing hydrogenated oil as an

ingredient. They explained that they are allowed by the FDA to have

less than half a gram, .50 gram trans fat " per serving " , and call

it " 0 Grams Trans Fat " .

 

As an example, the Frito Lay Bean Dip lists two (2) tablespoons per

serving. The problem is that most people do not pay attention to how

many servings they are eating, and are usually surprised when they

realize they have eaten 3 or 4 servings. Assuming you enjoy 2 to 4

servings (4-8 tablespoons), of the bean dip, you have now just

ingested between 1 and 2 grams of trans fat, thinking you had 0

grams trans fat!

 

I also checked the FDA website on labeling, and sure enough, they

can legally get away with this deception. Here's what they say at:

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html#s3q3

 

Q: Is it possible for a food product to list the amount of trans fat

as 0 g on the Nutrition Facts panel if the ingredient list

indicates that it contains " partially hydrogenated vegetable oil? "

 

A: Yes. Food manufacturers are allowed to list amounts of trans fat

with less than 0.5 gram (1/2 g) as 0 (zero) on the Nutrition Facts

panel. As a result, consumers may see a few products that list 0

gram trans fat on the label, while the ingredient list will

have " shortening, " " partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, "

or " hydrogenated vegetable oil " on it. This means the food contains

very small amounts (less than 0.5 g) of trans fat per serving.

 

Let's take a look at the biological harm caused by any level of

trans fat in the body:

 

-Trans fats inhibits enzyme function. Enzymes are responsible for the

building and break down of all cells and nutrients. Without enzymes,

metabolism or digestion would not occur at or near the optimal level,

and eventually our body would stop functioning.

 

-Trans fats jam the receptor sites of healthy fatty acids so they

are unable to transport into the cell and do their jobs on a

cellular level. Healthy fatty acids are food for the heart, as well

as many other essential functions.

 

-Trans fats are associated with hardening of the arteries. Recent

research indicates trans fats play a big role in heart disease, as

do saturated fats.

 

-Trans fats cause excessive inflammation and free radical damage

known as oxidation, causing certain types of cancer, arthritis,

eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. In fact, inflammation

has been found in all degenerative diseased states.

 

-Trans fats effect the body's electrical circuitry and energy

exchanges by blocking the receptor sites from the good fatty (cis)

acids. Electrical currents are responsible for all body functions

including neurological transmissions, heart beat regulation, cell

division, muscle coordination, hormonal balance, and energy levels.

 

-Trans fats are stickier than healthy fatty acids and clot smaller

blood vessels, causing stroke, heart attack, and circulatory

occlusions in other organs, such as the lungs, extremities, and

sense organs.

 

-Trans fats are less easily broken down by enzymes and have slower

metabolism as an energy source. This could have serious

consequences in a high-stress situation.

 

-Trans fats greatly interfere with liver detoxification pathways,

ultimately crippling the cleansing and detoxification of metabolic

wastes, as well as environmental and food toxins.

 

-Trans fats replace the phospholipids that create a healthy cell

membrane and loose their flexibility. Cells made from trans fats

become rigid at body temperature.

 

-Trans fats change the permeability of the cells allowing toxins and

other undesirable substances into the cell, disrupting the DNA and

the normal metabolic activity of the cell.

 

-Trans fats are not found in nature, they are made-man, therefore, a

foreign substance the body can not use. The average American

consumes 6-8% of their daily calories as trans fats, which,

unfortunately has replaced our consumption of the healthy fats.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 

1. Please read the labels and avoid ANYTHING hydrogenated or

partially hydrogenated on the INGREDIENTS section of the label.

Don't fall for the " 0 Grams Trans Fats " . Only consider products

labeled, " No Trans Fat " , and even then, double check the ingredients

list.

 

2. Avoid fast food and fried foods when dining out - they all use

trans fats to cook the French fries, fried chicken patties and

nuggets, and is used as a preservative in the buns. The most health

crippling meal you can give your child is fried chicken nuggets,

French fries, and a soda.

 

3. Don't forget to eat your fruits and vegetables! In fact, you

should double up on the days you eat trans fats during social

occasions, holidays, etc. Anti-oxidant loading is highly recommended

when your food choices are not where you'd like them to be,

depending on your daily circumstances.

 

4. Be an activist! Take 2 minutes and call companies like Frito Lay

and tell them it's just not worth buying their products until they

get serious about REALLY removing the trans fats.

 

Without consumer opinion, companies will continue putting harmful

ingredients into our food supply. For more information on the

science behind the debilitating affects of trans fats, please

read " Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill " , by Dr. Udo Erasmus, Ph.D.

 

 

Blessings of Health and Longevity,

 

Cydney Riggio, NT

Tox-Exempt, Lifestyle Enhancements for a Toxic World

Cancer Prevention Coalition Local Office Director

720-289-2749

Tox-Exempt