What in the world is hydrogenated oil or trans fat? And why don't I want it in my body?

What in the world is hydrogenated oil or trans fat? And why don't I want it in my body?

Food companies began using hydrogenated oils as a way to increase shelf life of foods and save costs.

Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen into an unsaturated oil to make them harder at room temperatures. It was created primarily to be used as a cheaper and less perishable substance than the original oil. Let's take a look at the structure of an unsaturated oil versus a saturated (or hydrogenated) oil.

Notice how the unsaturated state is bent while the saturated state is straight. This simple change in shape is the cause behind a lot of cardiovascular problems. We might be inclined to think that the bent shape would become more stuck in arteries than the nice straight shape of the saturated fatty acid, but look at the next picture below. Which pile will blood be able to flow through more easily?

Unsaturated oils and fats stay more separated whereas saturated oils and fats pack tightly together. Obviously, the tightly stacked pile is going to be harder to get through and cause more problems in our arteries and cardiovascular system. There are some naturally occurring saturated fats in nature, mostly found animal products. However, we want to avoid the unnatural ones when possible. Check the nutrition labels for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated products before buying. 

Now let's talk trans fats.

Trans means that it is bent in the opposite direction. Our bodies have a much harder time processing it than the more common cis configuration. Trans fat can be found in nature, but it is extremely minimal, and again, only in some animal products. Never before have our bodies had such an overload of trans fat as they do today. Fast food french fries are made using about 50% trans fats and many sweets, pastries, and processed foods can use anywhere between 20-60% trans fats. The FDA has placed a ban on partially hydrogenated oils, which is the major source of trans fats, which will continue to take place over the next two years. In the meantime, it is important to do your best to decrease the amount of saturated fats and trans fats you put into your body!

6 Rules To Avoid Eating Trans Fats

yours in health,

dr samantha boldt