At last! diabetes.co.uk with a leading article on trans fats and diabetes (2). While there is much misinformation in the article as is quite usual on this particular subject perhaps we are getting somewhere at last. In fact trans fatty acids which are component parts of trans fats are the sole cause of type 2 diabetes, a disease which first appeared in 1933 in the USA. The mechanisms behind it are quite well known in the scientific literature, some of which can be accessed via tfx.org.
The link with hydrogenated vegetable oil was broken a few years ago as the manufacturers of vegetable oil simply turned of the hydrogen in response to European legislation requiring the labelling of hydrogenated products. They are still passing the oils over a hot nickel catalyst at 260 centigrade. It is that process which produces trans fats. The oils are more dangerous today as there are fewer saturated bonds and more trans-isomer form bonds.
The only clue that trans-fats may be present in products on your supermarket shelves are the words "unsaturated fat" on the label. The most dangerous and concentrated forms of trans fats are contained in the diabetes causing oils such as rapeseed, corn and sunflower oils. Oils which are cold pressed are not only safe but can improve diabetes and fully reverse diabetes in some genetic subtypes (see word doc on glucagonadmittance.com). They will also help with weight loss. Do not roast or fry with them however - except olive oil.
So why does you doctor/dietician/consultant recommend you eat trans-fat containing oils? Most are acting in ignorance but some are not. The simple answer is "money". Diabetes is a trillion dollar industry from the production of trans fats to the treatment of its symptoms which include type 2, CV disease, obesity and Alzheimers. Ban them from your diet.
The link with hydrogenated vegetable oil was broken a few years ago as the manufacturers of vegetable oil simply turned of the hydrogen in response to European legislation requiring the labelling of hydrogenated products. They are still passing the oils over a hot nickel catalyst at 260 centigrade. It is that process which produces trans fats. The oils are more dangerous today as there are fewer saturated bonds and more trans-isomer form bonds.
The only clue that trans-fats may be present in products on your supermarket shelves are the words "unsaturated fat" on the label. The most dangerous and concentrated forms of trans fats are contained in the diabetes causing oils such as rapeseed, corn and sunflower oils. Oils which are cold pressed are not only safe but can improve diabetes and fully reverse diabetes in some genetic subtypes (see word doc on glucagonadmittance.com). They will also help with weight loss. Do not roast or fry with them however - except olive oil.
So why does you doctor/dietician/consultant recommend you eat trans-fat containing oils? Most are acting in ignorance but some are not. The simple answer is "money". Diabetes is a trillion dollar industry from the production of trans fats to the treatment of its symptoms which include type 2, CV disease, obesity and Alzheimers. Ban them from your diet.