Hydrogenation Stiffens Bodies

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Dear fellow vegans,

 

I am not familiar with the effects of genes on

metabolism in the body, so I am limiting this thread.

 

I am attaching a clipping from a Harvard Univ. source

(that I have since erased, but found in a simple

search for " hydrogenated. " ) It seems that the same

characteristic that is of such great value to the

bakiing, ice cream and candy industry - that is

stiffening oil and eliminating the need for

refrigeration - contributes to chronic obesity.

 

USA obesity has mushroomed proportionally to the

addition of hydrogenated oils. In Europe, I read, the

use of these modified oils is limited to something

like 4% OF ANY food product - although I have not

confirmed that (anybody know?)

 

Sorry to be so unscientific, but if the oil is

stiffened, how is it supposed to move in our cells?

Seems to that it just settles in place and does not

get metabolized, or ejected by the body . . . anybody

know?

 

These oils are implicated in the developemnet of

obesity by mere association, with other complex

effects that the FDA should be investigating

forcefully - - - but read the full text below for

other life-style threatening info.

Z

" . . . Prior to 1990 or so hydrogenation was thought

to be harmless. Today scientists aren't so sure. The

process produces something known as " trans " fats,

trans referring to a certain configuration of hydrogen

atoms in the fat molecules. There's an increasing body

of evidence linking trans fats with coronary heart

disease. Although trans fats occur naturally to some

extent, their major source in the typical Western diet

is hydrogenated vegetable oil. For example, trans fats

reportedly account for more than 40% of total fat in

some margarines.

 

Right now it's looking like trans fats are something

you really want to avoid. But who knows? Scientists

have changed their advice about fats several times

over the last 20 years, and even those sounding the

alarm over trans fats concede the subject is not well

understood. Rather than switch from one form of fat to

another (as occurred when people replaced saturated

animal fat with hydrogenated, and often trans-laden,

vegetable oil), I advise dialing back on the fat

altogether, eating more fruits and vegetables,

avoiding processed foods, and all that other granola

kinda stuff, which is looking smarter all the time.

 

 

Conclusion

Five years ago evidence was strong that trans fat had

deleterious impacts on blood lipids; ensuing studies

have confirmed these metabolic findings and

strengthened epidemiologic support for an important

adverse effect on risk of coronary heart disease.

These data highlight the need for rapid implementation

of labeling requirements that include fast foods.

Because partially hydrogenated fats can be eliminated

from the food supply by changes in processing that do

not require major efforts in education and behavioral

modification, these changes would be an extremely

efficient and rapid method for substantially reducing

rates of coronary disease . . . . . "

 

EDITOR " S NOTE Again, I do not agree that

" " hydrogenated fats can be eliminated from the food

supply by changes in processing that do not require

major efforts in education and behavioral

modification " " because the INDUSTRY relies on cheap

oils that bake like costy butters, and that do not

require refrigeration, which gives the industry a huge

savings. Consider the European attitude, if

accurate. The savings are converted to USA political

donations to the governing parties, limiting FDA

review. (I guess between this and mad cow disease, I

am vegan to make a stand, and to get Beyond Beef.)

zzz Nothing says lovin' like somethin' from the oven

and Pillsbury sells it best . . .

 

 

 

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