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Trans-Fats

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

All you hear is that you should cut fat from your diet. Why then would you want to consume essential fatty acids (EFAs)?  and why are many Americans overweight and suffering from the many chronic degenerative diseases?

One of the problems is the typical American is not eating enough whole foods, but instead, is eating too much partially-hydrogenated vegetable oil-a fractionated food-that has been made into "artificial foods" such as margarine or added to baked goods. Such "Artificial foods" are far different than real whole foods.

Hydrogenation ruins the nutritional value of vegetable oils! The reason of hydrogenation is to solidify an oil so that it can be made to look like real foods such as butter.  You get the desirable features such as texture, spreadability, mouth feel, and stays fresher longer.

Partial hydrogenation produces many un-natural fats not intended for use in the human body. 

Research performed at many institutions, one being the University of Maryland, has shown that consumption of trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated  vegetable fats and oils had many adverse effects in health areas such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, immunity, reproduction and lactation, and obesity. 

These and earlier reports had shown, for example, that consumption of trans fatty acids lower the "good" HDL cholesterol in the blood) as well as raising the "bad" LDL cholesterol and total blood cholesterol levels by 20-30 milligram-percent.

As regards to the question of cancer, trans fatty acids induce adverse alterations in the activities of the important enzyme system that metabolizes chemical carcinogens and drugs (medications..

Other studies have shown that trans fatty acids will cause a decrease in the response of the red blood cell to insulin, thus having a potentially undesirable effect in diabetics. 

Most of us are unaware of the hundreds of popular foods-from margarine, baked crackers and biscuits to cookies, fish sticks and french fries contain significant amounts of trans fatty acids.

This is one life style change you should consider, change your eating habits by looking
for foods that do not contain partially hydrogenated oils.  It has been estimated just changing this eating habit would save at least $1 billion in annual health care costs by preventing over 6,000 cases of heart disease per year and many deaths.  Others say the benefits could be even greater. Trans fatty acids are responsible for about 30,000 premature deaths per year.

There is much talk about trans fats, partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oils in the news 
lately and you will be hearing more in the future.  If you would like to find out more information 
about trans fats click here

Fat can come in two types: 

• Bad fats, like saturated and hydrogenated fats (described above) and

• Good fats, like EFAs, which are polyunsaturated fats.

Saturated fats can be found in: meats, butter and cheese while EFAs can be found in fatty fish.

Essential fatty acids have a wide array of benefits, including playing key roles in

• immune and brain function

• helping to lower the risk of heart attacks

• reducing cholesterol levels and

• strengthening bones.

Heart

Saturated fats have been shown to increase cardiovascular disease risks, 

Essential fatty acids have been proven to: 

• lower the risk of heart attacks. 

Recently the American Heart Association has bolstered previous studies showing that EFAs are good for heart health.  In the study, the participants were over the age of 65 and ate at least one serving of fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, (all good sources of essential fatty acid, omega-3) each week.  Participants in the study who consumed fish with a high amount of omega-3’s had a 44% lower risk of dying from a heart attack. Previous studies have also shown that omega-3’s are helpful for middle-aged and younger adults.

Latest study out of Australia says, "Consuming the fatty acids in fish oil keeps the arteries flexible and therefore reduces the chance of heart attack."

Bones

Helps with proper bone growth

EFAs may also help produce healthier bones. A study at Purdue University has shown that essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids, help the body produce the chemicals that are needed for proper bone growth.

Arthritis

Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis:

• pain,

• swelling and

• stiffness

In a Belgian study, 90 patients were given either a supplement with 2.6 g of omega-3 fatty acids or a supplement with 1.3 g of omega-3 fatty acids plus 3 g or 6 g of olive oil.

Although the arthritis sufferers in both groups made significant improvements, more of the patients in the group taking the supplements with the higher dosage of omega-3 fatty acids were able to reduce their usage of anti-rheumatic medication.

As always, if you are currently taking anti-rheumatic medication or any medication, always consult your physician before altering your prescription.

Since many of you don't eat fish three or four times a week it would benefit you by taking a good  Quality (Essential Fatty Acids) product.

Clinical studies have determined that the main benefits are derived from DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and to a lesser extent EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid).

Although you will receive various health benefits from Omega 3's when taken from plant sources such as flax seed, you may miss out on the special benefits from DHA and EPA. This is because your body has to convert the Omega 3's into DHA and EPA. If your health is compromised in any way, or you are elderly this conversion may not take place.

There has been a lot of mention about getting EFAs from fish regarding contamination, but a 
company that has developed and perfected a pure fish oil product (a pure molecularly distilled fish oil ester with NO CONTAMINANTS with exceptionally high levels of DHA!)
To find out more about this product Click here

There is another product (Body Balance) that not only contains the essential fatty acids , but also contains many of the Essential Nutrients your body requires:

• Vitamins 

• Macro Minerals 

• Trace Minerals 

• Amino Acids 

• Enzymes

More information about Body Balance