Carole Carson--

Over the past few years, trans fat has been targeted as the source of several life-threatening medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, trans fats are a real heart breaker because they raise the bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower the good (HDL0 cholesterol. Trans fats also increase inflammation of the blood vessels.

Since 1957, Fred Kummerow, a 94-year-old University of Illinois veterinary biosciences professor emeritus, has been leading a campaign against trans fats. He recently filed a 3,000-word petition arguing for their complete ban with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Professor Kummerow asserts that “trans fats lead to heart disease, displace essential omega fatty acids, raise bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, spawn inflammation in the blood vessels, and promote plaque buildup in the arteries.” His research also found that mother pigs nursing their piglets passed significant amounts of trans fat to their offspring.

Consuming trans fat is taking its toll on humans. The Harvard School of Public Health estimates that 30,000 premature cardiovascular deaths per year—82 individuals a day—could be prevented by replacing trans fats in the food supply with liquid vegetable oil (or unsaturated fat).

Fred Kummerow’s campaign against trans fat took 50 years to gain traction. In 2006, the FDA required food manufacturers to inform consumers about the presence of trans fat in products. Since then, some cities, including New York and Philadelphia, and one state, California, have banned the use of trans fat in restaurant food. Other cities and states are debating the issue and are likely to follow suit.

Today, consumers are relatively well educated about the danger of trans fat. In a recent survey (WebMD), three out of four participants recognized that trans fat had a negative impact on cardiovascular health. But only one in five participants could name three foods that contain trans fat. Here is a list of the commonest ones:

• French fries
• Doughnuts
• Pastries
• Hard margarine
• Vegetable shortening
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Potato chips

Aware of the danger of trans fat, educated consumers are seeking out products that are labeled “trans-fat free” or “zero trans fat.” But these efforts may be unsuccessful because of a loophole in the FDA regulations.  The federally mandated standards require listing of trans fat if the product contains exceeds 0.5 grams or more per serving; however, if the amount is less than 0.5 grams per serving, the manufacturer can advertise the product as free of trans fat.

Should you concern yourself with this small amount? Yes, because consuming even small amounts of trans fat significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

To protect yourself and your family, read product labels and check the ingredients. Any product that lists partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fat, so you may wish to avoid these foods.

If you are a parent, pay particular attention to your children’s food. Toaster pastries, fish sticks, candy, cake, cookies, french fries and other fast foods may contain trans fat. Innocent children who begin consuming trans fat as toddlers risk the early onset of heart disease.

Researchers are adding daily to information about our health and risks associated with choices we make. But it is up to us to use that information. Be vigilant in reading labels to reduce the risk of heart disease for you and everyone around you.

Dubbed “An Apostle for Fitness” by the Wall Street Journal, Carole Carson was the inspiration behind the Nevada County Meltdown, where more than 1,000 people lost nearly 8,000 pounds. Carole is the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction and serves as the national coach for the AARP Fat to Fit Community Challenge, a free weight-loss program welcoming all ages.

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