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Cutting the (Trans) Fat
The decision to ban trans fat from foods prepared in New York City restaurants and bakeries has generated great debate among consumers, health officials, and the business owners whose products will be affected by the ban. In an effort to address concerns people may have about trans fat, At the Frontline spoke with Luisa N. Borrell, DDS, PhD, assistant professor of Epidemiology, whose research interests focus on the social determinants of health.
What exactly is trans fat?
Trans fat (also called trans fatty acids) is vegetable oil transformed into a more solid oil through the process of partial hydrogenation. Hydrogenated oils are often used to extend the shelf-life in baked products. They also provide longer fry-life for cooking oils and provide a certain kind of texture or ‘mouthfeel.’
Which foods contain trans fat?
Trans fat can be found in foods people eat every day, such as doughnuts and pastry, fried chicken, french-fried potatoes, imitation cheese, and snack chips, cookies, and crackers.
Why is trans fat bad?
Evidence suggests that consumption of trans fat raises LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and lowers HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. You should eat only 2 to 2.5 grams of trans fat a day. If you eat a doughnut each morning, you will consume between 6 and 10 grams of trans fat. Over time, you will increase your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your risk of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. As a result, you increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Is the ban against trans fat a good decision?
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s decision on banning trans fat is an excellent example of shifting the whole distribution of a risk factor in the population. Although radical, this approach is a powerful one because it has the potential to benefit everyone in the years to come. Evidence suggests that eliminating trans fat will prevent at least 500 deaths from heart disease each year in New York City. Thus, the reduction in the excess of heart disease is substantial and can benefit New York City residents in the long run.
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