Tranfat equals saturated fat?

Doc2 asked:


Transfat is a new term someone coined. If it is saturated fat, the drum beat for margarin to replace butter for health was an obvious fallacy. Anyone know for sure. These nutritionists are a suspect group at best.

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2 Responses to “Tranfat equals saturated fat?”

  1. wineduchess on November 25th, 2009 at 10:53 am

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    While trans fats and saturated fat are both solid at room temperature, their similarities end there. Trans fats are formed when unstable oils undergo a process called hydrogenation (when liquid oils are converted to a solid in order to increase shelf life, reduce cost, and improve flavor and texture). Manufacturers win and consumers lose, as these oils are transformed into substances that are very harmful to human health. Trans fat is known to increase blood levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and reduce HDL (“good” cholesterol)1. Trans fats have been found to be a cause of clogged arteries, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

    While research shows that trans fats are unhealthy, research also indicates that, unlike trans fats, saturated fat and cholesterol do not increase cholesterol levels and heart disease — and in fact help to reduced it. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition said, “The conclusion of an analysis of the history and politics behind the diet-heart hypothesis was that after 50 years of research, there was no evidence that a diet low in saturated fat prolongs life.”2

    If saturated fat were harmful to our health, why would breast milk contain such as large percentage of saturated fat (including butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids) and cholesterol? Clinical research shows that both saturated fat and cholesterol are essential for growth in babies, especially for healthy brain development3.

    Further, saturated fat is important for the following functions:

    Preferred fuel for the heart
    Antimicrobial and antifungal actions
    Cell membrane regeneration
    Building bone density by putting calcium into the bones
    Protecting the liver from toxins
    For years, all saturated fat was dubbed “bad,” mainly because of cholesterol. Firstly, note that plant-based saturated fats such as coconut oil and palm oil do not contain cholesterol. Moreover, cholesterol is not a harmful, but rather a protective substance. Cholesterol helps:

    Build strong bones and muscles
    To aid digestion
    Boost cognitive function
    Build hormones for libido and fertility and other endocrine functions
    Repair tissue
    Keep cell membranes intact
    Regulate blood sugar
    Support immune function

  2. Richard F on November 27th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    How to Lose Weight

    From the bottom.
    These nutritionist are a suspect group at best/ Very aptly said.
    Anyone know for sure. I know for sure. Almost.
    The drumbeat for margarine to replace butter was an obvious fallacy. True. But how obvious was it?
    Transfat is not a synonym for saturated fat. Trans has a definite chemical meaning that the bond is in a different location. Compare with cis. Some think it is dangerous. I think that is correct.
    I don’t think I need to explain why unsaturated fats are good, you already know.

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