Ask Monica: Aren't all trans fats man-made?
Q. I was looking at the nutrition information for ground sirloin. NutritionData states that ground sirloin contains trans fat. My understanding is that trans fat is is man-made and added to
various products. What are the facts ?
A. In fact, all trans fats are not man-made! As you've discovered, some unprocessed foods such as beef and dairy can also contain small amounts of trans fats. These occur naturally when one or more of the hydrogen bonds of an unsaturated fatty acid molecule get twisted. But these naturally occuring are not the trans fats that everyone is so worried about lately.
For one thing, research indicates that naturally occuring trans fats do not have the same damaging health effects as the man-made trans fats found in artificially hydrogenated vegetable oils. (See this article on "Natural trans fats" for more details on the research.) Secondly, the amount of natural trans fats that we get from meat and dairy products is quite minor compared to the amount of man-made trans fats that we used to consume.
I say "used to consume" because things are changing quickly on that front. Due to a combination of legislation and consumer pressure, artificially hydrogenated oils are slowly disappearing from our food supply. Manufacturers of processed foods, such as chips, snacks, baked goods, baking mixes, cereals, salad dressings, and sauces are removing all or most of the trans fats from their products. Several fast food restaurants have reduced or eliminated trans fats in their French fries, fried chicken, and other foods. And many cities have enacted or are considering trans fat bans for all restaurants. Hopefully, we'll one day reap the benefits of these changes in the form of lower rates of heart disease.
You don't need to be concerned with small amounts of trans fats in beef or dairy products. Naturally occuring trans fats are almost always exempt from labeling rules and other anti-trans-fat initiatives. However, keep in mind that beef and dairy products also contain saturated fat, which most experts advise consuming in moderation. See also my post "Trans fat free, but not fat free."
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Posted by: | Oct 21, 2008 8:36:36 PM
maybe they're talking about type 2 diabetes?????? i don't think anyone would suggest that food/pollution, etc. "triggers" type 1 diabetes, now do they??????????
Posted by: pete | Oct 20, 2008 9:31:41 PM
In a post from Feb '08 someone said, "trans fat.... cause diabetes...". This is inaccurate, for a number of reasons. "Diabetes" is not just one disease/condition. The two main types of diabetes are not "related" to each other, they are not variations of the same disease/condition, although they have some things in common, just like emphysema and pneumonia have the lungs in common.
Type 1 diabetes (old name Juvenile diabetes) is an autoimmune system disease in which the person's immune system, in reaction to exposure to any number of viruses, attacks its own cells, the Beta insulin-producing cells of the pancreas and destroys them, over a period of usually about 3-6 months. The person's pancreas no longer produces insulin, so they must inject insulin every day, in order for the body to be able to use all carbohydrates for fuel. Nothing the Type 1 diabetic has done contributes to the onset of the disease, it is generally due to a "flaw" on a particular gene that makes the person susceptible.
Type 2 diabetes (old name Adult Onset) develops slowly over 7-10 years, and is an insulin-resistance condition, in which the person's body develops resistance to its own insulin. Poor diet, lack of sufficient exercise, and other factors can contribute to Type 2. Although most people who develop Type 2 are obese, there are about 12% "thin Type 2s".
People with Type 1 must inject insulin. Oral diabetic medications would do no good for a Type 2. People with Type 2 may take oral medications, but losing weight and increasing aerobic exercise are the two best things to do. Some Type 2s take insulin shots, but they wouldn't die without it.
The ratio of Type 1s to Type 2s is about 1 (Type 1) to 20 (Type 2).
So when you read anything that talks about "people with diabetes", or "diabetes is or does this or that", be skeptical.
Posted by: Wes | Jun 17, 2008 11:49:48 PM
Which is why I go the extra mile and refuse to buy any product from a company that puts trans fat in even one of their products.
Posted by: John | Feb 28, 2008 1:53:48 PM
You mention that trans fats cause heart disease but ignore the evidence that they cause diabetes, many other hormonal problems, and cancer.
Let's put it this way any company that puts any trans fat in human food is trading your health for their profits. The only thing they care about is their bottom line. Trans fat is a poison just like nicotine in tobacco or arsenic.
http://www.drpasswater.com/nutrition_library/enig1_interview.html
http://www.drpasswater.com/nutrition_library/enig2_interview.html
