Even worse than saturated fat, is trans fat. It is estimated that as little as 5g of trans fat can increase the risk of a heart attack by 25%. If that is not scary then I don't know what is. The best site I have found in connection with saturated and trans fats is http://www.bantransfats.com/ - thanks to their efforts trans fats have been banned in some countries and awareness of the shocking health risks of these fats has been raised all over the world. Another interesting site is www.dldewey.com/hydroil.htm
I learnt a long time ago that most manufacturers do not care about health risks; their pecuniary interests are paramount. So it is vital that consumers take responsibility for their own health and read the labels on all food products. One of the 'tricks' used by manufacturers is to mention 'partially hydrogenated oil' on the ingredients label but to state that the product contains no trans fat. Hear this everyone: if a product contains partially hydrogenated oil then it does contain trans fat. Never touch hydrogenated oil (even if the label says it is only partially hydrogenated). The stuff should be banned.
Lecture over! Trans fats are so bad and I just had to underline the fact. Obviously, along with drastically reducing all saturated fats, I never touch trans fats. Believe me, this is all very important information and essential for anyone who wants to blast blubber into eternity and get fit and healthy!
Diana Elsmere
