For access to the referenced abstracts see source article at:
medscape.com
Also, I think there's a video associated with the source. (I've disabled Flash on my PC and can't see it.)
Ban Trans Fats in 2007
Posted 12/18/2006
Michael Dansinger, MD, MS
Partially hydrogenated vegetable fat is a disease-promoting artificial fat used primarily in fast food and other commercially manufactured fried and baked foods.[1] The trans fats in this synthetic ingredient inflame the arteries and accelerate heart disease.[1]
The average per-capita intake of 5 g per day in the United States increases the risk for heart disease by approximately 25%,[1] and a kids meal at McDonald's can have up to twice this amount of trans fat.[2]
A wise society would eradicate this harmful ingredient from the food supply by banning it.[2,3] Denmark banned these commercial fats in 2004 with no adverse effect on taste or price of affected food, including fast food and even their famous Danish pastries.
Indeed, the technology to satisfactorily replace partially hydrogenated fat with healthy alternatives currently exists.[4]
In the United States, elimination of partially hydrogenated fats would be expected to reduce the heart disease rate by 10% to 20%.[1] So why, after more than a decade of accumulating evidence against trans fats,[1,5] has the United States failed to rapidly implement this obvious public health measure? Ultimately, our food contains these harmful unnatural fats because we, the public, have failed to sufficiently demand their prompt removal. The medical leadership has not been aggressive enough in advocating for the public, and the political leadership has been too submissive to food industry calls for gradual change.
Shamefully, we have thus far allowed the food industry to dictate the pace of change and decide for us how to handle this enormous public health concern, but this is foolish. Allowing the food industry to decide trans fat policy is like allowing the cigarette industry to decide smoking policy.
Our job as a responsible society is to advocate for our children and ourselves by taking control of this public health problem.[6] We must find the moral courage to do the right thing and demand a ban on artificial trans fats without delay.
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. Michael Dansinger, Clinical Nutrition & Obesity Section Editor of MedGenMed.
Sign Up now for a free monthly email that brings you the top features from MedGenMed.
Readers are encouraged to respond to George Lundberg, MD, Editor of MedGenMed, for the editor's eyes only or for possible publication via email: glundberg@medscape.net
References
1. Mozaffrian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1601-1613. Abstract
2. Stender S, Dyerberg J, Astrup A. High levels of industrially produced trans fat in popular fast foods. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1650-1652. Abstract
3. Astrup A. The trans fatty acid story in Denmark. Atheroscler Suppl. 2006;7:43-46. Epub 2006 May 24.
4. Tarrago-Trani MT, Phillips KM, Lemar LE, Holden JM. New and existing oils and fats used in products with reduced trans-fatty acid content. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106:867-880. Abstract
5. Willett WC, Stamper MJ, Manson JE, et al. Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease among women. Lancet. 1993;341:581-585. Abstract
6. Center for Science in the public interest. TransFreeAmerica Campaign Launched. May 18, 2004. Available at: cspinet.org Accessed November 28, 2006.
Michael Dansinger, MD, MS, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Editor, Clinical Nutrition & Obesity section, MedGenMed
Author's email address: mdansinger@tufts-nemc.org
Disclosure: Michael Dansinger, MD, MS, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships in addition to his employment. |
