Considerable amount of discussions, talk shows, magazine and newspaper articles have appeared recently about Trans Fats [TFs]. Many have expressed their apprehensions, concerns, and anxieties because unknowingly they were consuming Trans Fats (TFs) with their food. Most of them did not know that it increases the risks of getting Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD).
You obviously would like to know about TFs, what it is, what foods contain TFs and how does it cause CHD. The present article promises you to provide relevant information such that you could protect not only your own health but the health of your family also.
TFs and Coronary Heart Diseases
Scientists have established that there is a direct link between CHD and consumption of TFs with our food. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, have reported that TFs are definitely related to CHD. They have come out with the statistics that about 12.5 Million Americans( about 1/25th of the total population of America), are now suffering from CHD. Out of which more than 500,000 would die every year. CHD has established a dubious distinction of being the leading cause of death not only in USA but elsewhere in the world also.
What are the ailments associated with TFs ?
Besides CHD, heart attack, hardening of arteries, formation of blood clots, stroke, etc. have been reported to have a link with the increasing consumption of TFs. Diabetes has also been suspected to have some connections with its increased consumption.
Heart Attack and Stroke: Two Major Killers
Heart failures and Strokes are the two words we often hear these days . Very frequently we hear that some of our loved ones have suddenly fallen sick of CHD. Somebody may have suffered from a massive stroke and died within minutes. Some others may complain of excruciating chest pain, breathing difficulties and may need immediate hospitalization.
Maladies of Those Health Problems:
If not spontaneous death, CHD may cause paralysis of vital parts of the body. People may become immobile for life. Part of the body may become dysfunctional. Even if some may survive, provided immediate medical attention and proper treatment is made available to them, they may no longer be able to live a quality life. Fear and anxiety may grip over their minds. They may feel that death is near. What is most worrisome is that the ultimate may come anytime without any prior notice. Even a younger person in his thirties or forties may be suffering from CHD and/or may even die of that disease. In earlier days, CHD was a disease of the elderly people. But in this era situation has changed.
Do Our Authorities Knows About It?
The answer is "yes". As of June 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] of USA, which regulates food quality standard of that nation had brought in a legislative measure requiring the Food manufacturers to enlist, along with other Nutritional facts, the content of TF on the food label. This is now a mandatory requirement. In fact, some food manufacturers have already started reporting as to how much TFs their foods contain.
What Types of Foods Contain Trans Fats:
Donuts, muffins and frozen pizzas all had their cover blown on Jan. 1,2006 with the new label showing so-called "trans fats" in foods. Until this year, food labels listed the amount of saturated fat in products, but companies weren't required to detail the amount of trans fats, leaving diet-conscious consumers in the dark about the overall fat content of the foods they ate.
Now, however, any food with more than 0.5 grams of trans fats must reflect the amount of that fat in the labeling. This has been prescribed of course for the benefit of the consumers, such that they know what they should choose and purchase from the vast number of eye-catching food varieties flooding the super markets. For your safety check the label on all food items to ensure that it does not contain TFs.
Food Habits and CHD :
We have heard for a long time that food habit is one of the major factors for developing CHD. Lack of adequate exercise, sitting for a long time on chairs in the office, doing stressful work, taking too much of fatty foods containing saturated fats and/or TFs ( red meat, fatty fish, butter, ghee and egg, donuts, bakery products, restaurant foods etc ).
In the modern era more and more women have to work outside. So they have to eat outside every frequently. Dependence on so-called junk foods like French fries, potato chips, corn chips, fried chicken, fish fry, bakery products etc. have been increased considerably. Thus making people increasingly vulnerable to suffer from CHD
How Does TFs Cause CHD and Other Related Health Problems?
