Why Are Trans Fats Bad? Very Bad! - Dr Ekberg

Summary

In this video, Dr. Ekberg explains the dangers of trans fats, their impact on health, and why they should be avoided. Trans fats, created through a highly unnatural process, increase cardiovascular risks, contribute to diabetes, and interfere with pregnancy. They disrupt essential fatty acids, impair the immune system, and cause cell damage, leading to chronic inflammation. Despite regulations, processed foods still contain trans fats. Dr. Ekberg stresses the importance of choosing natural, whole foods like grass-fed butter and coconut oil to avoid these harmful substances and protect your health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trans fats are created through an unnatural process involving high pressure, temperature, and hydrogen gas, making them a harmful food additive.
• 😀 Consuming trans fats is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, heart disease, and increased cholesterol levels.
• 😀 Trans fats can negatively affect pregnancy, leading to conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and premature births.
• 😀 Trans fats interfere with the body's long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, which are essential for brain and eye development.
• 😀 Trans fats contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
• 😀 The consumption of trans fats is also associated with a rise in allergies and an increased risk of breast cancer.
• 😀 Trans fats disrupt immune system functioning, cell wall integrity, and inflammation regulation, making the body more vulnerable to chronic diseases.
• 😀 The widespread demonization of fats comes from confusion between natural fats and man-made fats, with trans fats being the primary culprit for health issues.
• 😀 Despite efforts to reduce trans fats, food industries continue to find ways to sneak them into products, with labels sometimes misleading consumers about the presence of trans fats.
• 😀 The best approach to avoid trans fats is to focus on natural, whole foods like grass-fed butter, coconut oil, and extra-virgin olive oil, and avoid processed foods that contain hydrogenated oils.

Q & A

What are trans fats and how are they made?

Trans fats are artificially created fats made by adding hydrogen to liquid oils in a process called hydrogenation. This involves high pressure, high temperatures, and a metal catalyst like nickel, turning the oils into solid fats.

What are the health effects of consuming trans fats?

Trans fats increase bad cholesterol (LDL), lower good cholesterol (HDL), and raise triglycerides. This worsens cardiovascular health and increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, allergies, and certain cancers.

How do trans fats affect pregnancy?

Trans fats can increase the risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy, leading to higher blood pressure and blood sugar spikes. They can also result in premature births.

Why are trans fats harmful to babies during development?

Trans fats compete with essential fatty acids like DHA, which is critical for brain and eye development. This interference can hinder the proper growth of the central nervous system and retina in babies.

How do trans fats contribute to insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes?

Trans fats can increase insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar, which can lead to the development of type-2 diabetes.

What role do trans fats play in chronic inflammation?

Trans fats promote the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, which contribute to low-grade chronic inflammation, a common factor in many degenerative diseases.

Why is fat often misunderstood as the cause of health issues?

Fat, especially man-made fats like trans fats, has been demonized due to the consumption of processed oils, such as margarine, over the last 50-80 years. This led to the misconception that all fats are harmful, even though natural fats are essential for good health.

How does food labeling mislead consumers about trans fats?

Food labeling allows products to be labeled 'zero grams of trans fats' if they contain less than half a gram per serving, even though these products may still contain significant amounts of trans fats.

What are the problems with scientific efforts to reduce trans fats in food?

Attempts to reduce trans fats through modifying the hydrogenation process or genetically altering oils are flawed. These methods result in more processed foods that still pose health risks, leading to 'Frankenfoods' rather than natural solutions.

What is the best approach to avoid trans fats and improve health?

The best approach is to avoid processed foods containing man-made fats. Opt for whole, natural foods such as grass-fed butter, coconut oil, and extra-virgin olive oil, and be aware of labels that list partially hydrogenated oils.