Hydrogenated Oils
Fat is essential to life, its not to be feared anymore if the right type is consumed. There are three classifications of fat: saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids. These fats are used by the body as energy, but provide more than twice as many calories per gram as either carbohydrates or protein that have 4 grams compared to 9 grams in fat. Fat is also a carrier of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E that are vital for everyday living. The unsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature, provide the body with essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce so they have to be consumed. These fats also aid in lowering the bad cholesterol low-density lipids (LDL's). Although polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are healthy they should be eaten in moderation. As for saturated fat, which is solid at room temperature, it raises the LDL's that leads to heart disease, the number one killer in America. It can also lead to cancer and obesity that is why the Recommend Dietary Intake (RDI) of saturated fat should only be 10% of the diet. Although most Americans are taught that saturated fat is the worst fat, but there is one more that has been arou
Trans fatty acids are as hypercholesterolemic if not more unfavorable as saturated fats, in the effect of lowering HDL's and raising the LDL's. Where as saturated fats just raise the LDL's. Research shows a connection between trans fatty acids and heart disease, diabetes, cancer, low birth weights, obesity, and immune dysfunction. Recent information from the American Heart Assoc. indicates that the cardiovascular heart disease is the number one killer in America causing over 500,000 deaths annually. Just a 2% increase in consumption of trans fatty acids is associated with a 25% increase in the risk of heart disease. Another problem with trans fatty acids is during hydrogenation all the antioxidants that were present in the vegetable oils are lost and the good essential fatty acids are destroyed. By eating hydrogenated products there is no health benefit as there would be of consuming unprocessed vegetable oils. A diet rich in essential fats and oils increases metabolic rate and improves the system of energy production. Animals are also affected by consumption of trans fat. There is an increased requirement of essential fatty acids in animals fed high levels of trans fat. There was research carried out on pigs that were fed large amounts of trans fatty acids, which resulted in development of aortic lesions. Research has shown that there is nothing good about trans fatty acids. Today the trans fatty acid market has grown immensely in fast food and packaged goods. Most margarines contain partially hydrogenated oils as their main ingredient unless stated as "trans fat free" or "contains no hydrogenated oils." Most stick margarines contain 30 grams of trans fatty acids per 100grams of fat. Just recently Benecol and Take Control margarines came out on the market with claims of lowering cholesterol and having no hydrogenated oils. This is true if consuming large amounts, but they have replaced the name of hydrogenated oils on the label with mono-diglycerides so they can say that it doesn't contain them. . They are called mono-diglrcerides because they are made from oils that have a high mono saturated fat content, but they are still hydrogenated. In truth these spreads really don't lower cholesterol, they raise it. Many
Some common words found in the essay are:
Heart Assoc, Intake RDI, United Crisco, Benecol Control, Acids Fat, Dietetic Association, Cosmetic Act, fatty acids, trans fatty, LDL's Research, trans fatty acids, saturated fat, hydrogenated oils, trans fat, heart disease, Heart Disease, trans fats, fast food, consumption trans, essential fatty, essential fatty acids, fast food industry, trans fat serving, heart disease killer,
Approximate Word count = 1514
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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