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Q:
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Is trans fat bad for you? |
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A:
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The simplest answer is: Yes. While dietary guidance and scientific understanding of the effects of trans fat is still evolving, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that there is a relationship between trans fat intake and risk of coronary heart disease. Some of the evolving guidance includes:In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (NAS/IOM) concluded that, like saturated fat, trans fat raises LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol). However, unlike saturated fat, trans fat may also lower HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol). The NAS/IOM has recommended that "trans fat consumption be as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet."The 2005 edition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture' Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a total fat intake "between 20 to 35 percent of calories" and keeping trans fat consumption "as low as possible." The Dietary Guidelines says that Americans consume too much trans fat, and that limited consumption of foods made with processed sources of trans fat is the most effective means of reducing intake of trans fat. The 2005 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends keeping trans fat consumption to "about 1 percent of energy intake or less."The 2001 report of the National Cholesterol Education Program recommended that trans fat intake "should be kept low." The American Heart Association recommends that, for people without coronary heart disease, diabetes or high LDL cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat intake together should be less than 10% of total calories.We encourage you to learn more from the many sources of nutrition and health information available to everyone. |
