War Against Trans Fats in Canadian DietCanada Blazing Trail to Reduce Trans Fatty Acids in Food Production
Trans fats have been implicated in development of coronary heart disease in Canadians.
Researchers have sounded the alarm about trans fats in the Canadian diet. In North America, Health Canada has responded by adopting the recommendations of the Trans Fat Task Force in relation to the amount of trans fat in Canadian foods. Trans FatsWhat foods contain trans fats? What contributes to diets high in trans fats?
The Truth About Trans Fats and Coronary Heart Disease in Canadians Trans fat poses risk to the human heart. Why? Trans fat elevates levels of LDL-cholesterol, considered the bad cholesterol fat. On top of this, trans fat also lowers levels of heart-protective HDL-cholesterol. North American diets contain undesirable levels of trans fats and many foods are prepared with hydrogenated fats. Modern food production methods have contributed to higher amounts of trans fats in processed foods. Foods containing trans fatty acids may have a longer shelf-life and might be more convenient and tasty, but the toll on human health has been telling. The good news is that Canada's trans fat consumption has decreased by 40% over the past decade. Further reductions are necessary as part of the trans fat solution.
The Trans Fat Monitoring ProgramThe Trans Fat Monitoring Program analyzes food from restaurants and fast food outlets and evaluates pre-packaged foods, then compiles data according to findings and publishes these findings.
The Trans Fat Monitoring Program will work to bring about industry compliance so that the Canadian food supply meets recommended trans fats limits. While zero trans fat may not be possible, the goal since inception has been to eliminate "processed trans fats, by limiting the processed trans fat content of any food product sold in Canada to the lowest level possible " (Canada. Parliament. House of Commons. Journals of the House of Commons. 38th Parliament, 1st session, No. 30, November 23, 2004).
While a diet that contains no trans fat is unrealistic, Canada has been a trial-blazer. Cutting undesirable levels of trans fats in Canadian food products will help to reduce known risk factors and curb heart disease. Resources:
The copyright of the article War Against Trans Fats in Canadian Diet in Nutrition is owned by Melody Rhodes. Permission to republish War Against Trans Fats in Canadian Diet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments Jun 1, 2009 7:53 PM
Guest :
1 Comment:
Related Topics
Reference
More in Health & Wellness
|