The Truth Regarding Hydrogenated Fats and Oils & Heart disease

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Hydrogenated Fats & Margarines Can be Problematic

JoAnn Guest

Mar 29, 2003 16:20 PST

 

A Safe Natural Approach:

 

We now know that cholesterol-lowering drugs have dangerous side

effects and there is scant research that they lessen the risk of

heart attack. There are safe alternatives that address the CAUSES of

heart disease, not just deal with the symptoms! They work to prevent

and in some cases even

reverse heart disease.

 

A lower fat diet abundant in fruits and vegetables, a

high-potency, antioxidant-rich multivitamin regimen, an essential

fatty acid supplement in combination with moderate aerobic exercise

greatly reduces your risk.

An injured heart heals with nutrients, not calcium channel blockers.

 

 

The Truth Regarding Hydrogenated Fats and Oils &

Heart disease

 

Heart disease is typically caused by atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol-rich plaque

collects on arterial walls.

High cholesterol levels can play a part, though they do not always

result in atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis can exist with normal

cholesterol levels. However when coronary arteries become clogged,

this condition usually results in coronary artery disease.

 

How does atherosclerosis develop?

 

Atherosclerosis seems to begin with an injury (from free radicals or

other chemicals introduced into the bloodstream) to the 'endothelial

lining' along the artery wall. Interestingly enough, this " process "

actually can begin at a relatively early age.

Once this injury occurs, 'white blood cells' such as monocytes and

macrophages, along with 'lipids', begin to accumulate along the

inner layer of the artery as well as the muscle layer.

 

Smooth muscle cells begin to multiply from the irritation and

eventually form a plaque. Platelets and other blood clotting factors

stick to the rough surface of the artery wall, forming a thrombus

(clot).

 

A clot can continue to grow until it completely blocks an artery,

cutting off the " oxygen supply " to a vital organ. Or a clot

can " break free " from the vessel wall and become lodged somewhere

else further downstream.

This could lead to a heart attack or stroke if the clot

completely blocks the blood and oxygen supply to a major artery

leading to the heart or brain.

 

Although initially there are no symptoms, once the arteries become

very " constricted " , one may experience pressure or tightening in the

chest due to a " lack of oxygen " being delivered to the heart

(angina).

 

There may also be cramping in the lower extremities due to blockage

in the peripheral veins (peripheral vascular disease).

--

Factors associated with heart disease

 

Researchers now believe that many different problems can lead to

heart disease. And cholesterol can often play a key role.

 

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by the liver. It is

an essential component of cell membranes, used to " produce " hormones

and vitamin D.

Cholesterol is carried through the body attached to two different

compounds called *lipoproteins*:

*low-density* lipoproteins (LDL) and *high-density* lipoproteins

(HDL).LDL is commonly known as the " bad cholesterol " ;

it carries cholesterol from the liver throughout the body,

making it *available* to be *deposited* in artery walls.

" HDL " is known as " good cholesterol " ;

it picks up LDL (bad)cholesterol from the *arteries* and delivers it

to the liver to be *recycled* or *eliminated* from the body.

 

The body needs cholesterol to function –--

but too much of it in the *blood*, or too much of the *wrong kind*,

adds up to trouble.

 

High total cholesterol especially high LDL levels –

 

These factors combine to form a well known risk factor for heart

disease (though people can have heart disease without having high

cholesterol).

 

Low *HDL* cholesterol and high *triglyceride* levels –

 

This is a different pattern than high total and LDL cholesterol

although someone may have both. This pattern, associated with

insulin resistance, is also genetically driven and appears to affect

as many as 30% of the population.It carries with it a high risk of

high blood pressure and diabetes as well as heart disease.

Dietary and nutritional supplement treatment for this pattern are

different from those for high total and LDL cholesterol levels.

 

Here, lifestyle changes are generally

quite effective.

 

Elevated homocysteine levels –

This risk factor for heart disease is unrelated to cholesterol

levels at all.

Homocysteine is an *amino acid* that can *accumulate* in the blood

when a person does not get enough folic acid and vitamin B6.

 

This condition is also genetically driven. Folic acid requirements

for some individuals may be much greater than the RDA of 400 mcg.

 

Smoking – This habit alone can increase risk of heart disease.

Smoking increases *oxidation* in the body and is harmful

(constricting) to blood vessels

 

Genetic tendencies can be countered by a healthy lifestyle in most

cases.If you have a family history of heart disease, we recommend

paying particular attention to diet, exercise, stress reduction and

supplements.

 

Fish oil –

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oil supplements have proven

to be an effective preventive strategy against heart disease.

They can " lower " triglyceride levels, increase HDL cholesterol, help

" minimize inflammation " and blood clotting, and keep blood vessels

healthy.

 

Coenzyme Q10 –

This antioxidant is thought to be one of the most

important antioxidant supplements for protection against many forms

of cardiovascular disease. It helps protect LDL cholesterol from

*oxidation*, maintain healthy blood vessels, protects against

*clots* and *plaque* rupture, and supports optimal *functioning* of

the heart muscle.

---

What you can do to lower your cholesterol

 

Eliminate *transfats

If you find " partially hydrogenated oil " listed in the ingredient

list on the food label, find a healthier alternative!. There are

spreads available on the market today free from trans-fat.

Unfortunately many of those which are advertised as transfat free

are not!

 

Some examples are " Take Conrol " and " Benecol " which are " promoted "

as

heart healthy spreads. We need to be aware of the proliferation of

false advertising which is surfacing and this is a prime example of

the deception that is taking place everyday in the media.

Unhealthy *Trans-fat* is typically found in snack foods, i.e.

chips, crackers, breads, baked goods and cookies. It is found in

restaurants oils and used to cook french fries, doughnuts,

theatre popcorn, and much more.

--

 

The protein and fibers found in cooked dried beans effectively

lowers overall cholesterol levels. Try to incorporate two servings a

day into your meals. Choose from pinto, northern, black/red beans,

lentils and legumes.

 

Use liberal amounts of fresh garlic. Garlic has been shown to lower

both cholesterol levels and blood pressure -- and it tastes

wonderful. Use three or four fresh or lightly cooked cloves each

day.

 

Have your daily cup of tea.

The antioxidants in green tea help lower cholesterol and prevent the

cholesterol already in your blood from *oxidizing*.

 

Include plenty of *soluble* fiber in your diet.

 

Soluble fiber has a powerful " cholesterol-lowering " effect.

The best sources of soluble fiber are dried beans and lentils,

organic apples, oats/oat bran, barley, buckwheat, millet,split peas

and carrots.

 

---

Cut out transfats, minimize *saturated* fats, but keep the

*monounsaturated* fat --

---

Include monounsaturated fats (30 to 35% of calories) rather than

following the typical *low-fat* diet.

 

Eat generous amounts (5 or more servings) of non-starchy vegetables

and one to two servings of low-glycemic index fruit every day.

 

Exercise – Vigorous aerobic exercise decreases the cells' resistance

to insulin.

 

Eat a serving or two of fish each week – The best are cold water

fish like alaskan salmon and water packed

sardines, high in omega-3 fatty acids.

This type of fat typically improves our cells' " response " to

insulin.

---

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that has been

shown beneficial for heart health by " protecting " LDL cholesterol

from *oxidation* and re-energizing the *mitochondria* in the heart

cells, which is where " energy metabolism " occurs.

 

This nutrient is very important for heart cells of patients with

heart failure. CoQ10 may also help lower your blood pressure.

--

Hawthorne Berry-

Hawthorne is another " antioxidant " with heart-enhancing

properties. Hawthorne helps improve coronary artery blood flow and

" circulation " to the extremities of the body, therefore improving

symptoms of angina.

 

Alpha-lipoic acid – This antioxidant nutrient improves the cells'

response to insulin and reduces blood sugar levels.

 

Magnesium – Higher insulin and blood sugar levels are seen in people

with low plasma magnesium levels and magnesium supplementation

improves insulin resistance in animal studies

 

Chromium – improves glucose utilization in people with high blood

sugar levels and improves insulin resistance in animals.

 

Cordyceps – This " medicinal mushroom " is a good energy booster and

can " improve " the workload of the heart

--

Homocysteine – What is it?

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body from an

amino acid called *methionine*.One of methionine's main functions is

to provide methyl groups for

cellular reactions. A methyl group is a small, simple chemical

fragment consisting of one carbon molecule and three hydrogen

molecules. When methionine donates a methyl group for a cellular

reaction, it becomes homocysteine.

Typically homocysteine then receives another methyl group from

either folic acid or vitamin B6 and is turned back into methionine.

Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for this reaction.

In short, if you don't have enough of certain 'critical' B vitamins,

your homocysteine level *rises*.

 

A high *homocysteine* level is primarily a sign

of an " inadequate " intake of folic acid or vitamin B6.

 

Coffee consumption – As coffee consumption increases, homocysteine

levels increase the amount of folic acid, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12

in your diet and supplements.

 

What is the relationship between homocysteine, heart disease and

strokes?High homocysteine levels are associated with

atherosclerosis.

Homocysteine is thought to be damaging to the lining of blood

vessels, leading to atherosclerosis. As homocysteine levels

increase, the risk of heart disease and stroke increase. (High

homocysteine levels are also associated with risk of cancer and

cervical dysplasia, as well as neural tube birth defects like spina

bifida.)

 

Diagnosing high homocysteine

Although the reference ranges for homocysteine from most labs show a

normal range up to 12, homocysteine researchers are suggesting that

any level over 8 should be treated.

Nutritional supplements and homocysteine

 

Folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and betaine are all involved in

the process of adding a methyl group back to the homocysteine

molecule. Supplementation of these nutrients will bring high

homocysteine levels down.

 

Although the B vitamins (the first three in the list) are found

in multivitamins, we recommend higher doses depending on your

homocysteine level. If your homocysteine level is high, we recommend

retesting it six months after you begin taking supplements.

--

Eat 8-10 servings of fruit and vegetables servings per day.

Eat only organic foods. Homogenization techniques (xanthine

oxidase)causes considerable artery damage as well

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Limit animal protein to 6 oz per day, emphasizing lean sources.

 

Consume 4-5 servings of raw nuts, seeds and dry beans per week (2

Tbsp raw nuts ( with no added oil) or seeds, or 1/2 cup cooked dried

beans).

Include at least three servings of fish a week, emphasizing cold

water fish like alaska salmon and waterpacked sardines rich in omega-

3 fatty acids.

 

Limit alcohol intake – Blood pressure increases as your body

metabolizes alcohol. Avoid processed foods -- These are the biggest

sources of sodium in today's diet.

 

Relax –Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or biofeedback are all

relaxation techniques that can help lower blood pressure.

---

The Ill-Effects of Margarines

 

There is much talk in the press about margarines being better for

our health than butter. This in essence, is just not true. The

following article will help to explain why.

 

There's more to the word *hydrogenated* than meets the eye.

It is a process by which unsaturated fats have been converted from

their natural liquid to a more *solid* state.

 

Hydrogenation is good for food manufacturers because it keeps longer

and does not go rancid, as do liquid oils.

As this transformation takes place, the naturally unsaturated fats

in the oils are changed from their natural state

into a " saturated " fat which is " hazardous " to the arteries--

and in essence becomes much more dangerous than any

naturally-occurring fats could ever be.

 

It is wise to be cautious every time you see

" made with pure vegetable oils " .It doesn't mean a thing if that

specific vegetable oil has undergone the " hydrogenation " process.

---

 

Hydrogenation Procedure: The process of *hydrogenation* makes

terrifying reading:

 

1. Vegetable oil is " mixed " thoroughly with " fine particles " of

nickel or copper.

 

2.It is heated to approximately 400 degrees F. and held at that

temperature for six hours (carcinogens form from oils kept at high

temps for extended periods of time!).

 

3. Meanwhile, hydrogen gas is pumped through the mixture at high

pressure and the *excited* hydrogen atoms penetrate the vegetable

oil molecules and chemically change them into " transfats "

(transfatty acids).

 

These are new, complex substances which are *not* found in *nature*,

except at very low levels in some animal fats.

 

4. This mixture must be kept very hot--if it cools down the whole

production line will get *clogged*.

 

5. The mixture is then cooled down to form tiny hard *plastic*-like

beads, ---known as *hydrogenated* oil.

 

6. The beads of hydrogenated oil are mixed with liquid oil and

heated up again to a high temperature.

When this cools, you have *MARGARINE*.

 

(Reproduced with kind permission from

" Now You Can say Goodbye to Hydrogenated Fats (1994)

( a leaflet supplied by Whole Earth Foods.)

===================================================================

Because these hydrogenated " transfats " are not at all natural and

have a *plastic-like* quality, your body has great *difficulty* in

trying to metabolize and eliminate them.

 

You are putting your body under " extra pressure " simply to

deal with this substance that you do *not* really *need* to eat.

 

The FDA has approved them for human consumption, stating that it is

safe to eat up to 7% of your diet in hydrogenated fats.

When we take a second look, we find that on the *Standard*

American Diet, the average person consumes much, much *more*!

 

Americans have more heart attacks than any

other country in the world.

 

When we stop to consider the way hydrogenated fats are made, it is

then and only then thatwe begin to realize the very real dangers of

consuming these un-natural synthetic ( " foods " ?).

 

I firmly believe these unnatural man-made fats are a major

" contributing factor " in most heart disease and cardiovascular

problems.

 

Walter Willett, Ph.D. of the Harvard Medical school agrees.

 

Also Avoid: Excessive calcium and iron supplementation,.

(Over a period of time they can prove problmatic

contributing to arterial deposits, as well.)

 

---

 

JoAnn Guest

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