The sneaky new fat in your food: it's worse than trans fats

We have all been trained to watch out for unhealthy fats, so as long as the packaging says "no trans or saturated fats," no problem, right? Wrong.


In an attempt to find a shelf stable non-trans fat, manufacturers are turning to a new modified saturated fat called Interesterified Fat (IE). Research shows that IE, like other saturated fats, profoundly raises the ratio of LDL (bad) cholesterol to HDL (good) cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up on the lining of the arteries. This condition results in a narrowing of the arteries themselves. Arthur Schoenstadt, MD identifies this plaque buildup, called atherosclerosis, a primary agent in the following health risks:

•Angina
•Coronary heart disease
•Heart arrhythmias -- an irregular heart rhythm
•Transient ischemic attack (TIA, or "mini" stroke)
•Heart attack
•Stroke
•Peripheral artery disease
•High blood pressure.

Critics of the new modified fat suggest it is actually worse for your long term health than its trans fat predecessors. Early scientific reports suggest IE Fats raise blood glucose levels higher than trans fats while simultaneously depressing the level of insulin. This could indicate a link between IE Fats and increased incidence of diabetes.

Until more is known, IE fats should be avoided merely for the fact that they are indeed, saturated fats. Check the packaging even when the label claims to have no trans fats. Seek out unsaturated fats instead.

Polyunsaturated fat food sources include fish oil, corn oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, pumpkin seed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil,and sunflower oil. Monounsaturated fat is found in high content in olive, peanut, and canola oils, sunflower oil and sesame oil. Other sources include avocados, peanut butter, and many nuts and seeds. Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are suggested to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Sunflower oil is fairly new to most consumers. It's gaining in popularity as a healthier, and yet tasty, alternative to butter. Tom Smude, makes Premium Cold Pressed Virgin Sunflower Oil on his family farm near Pierz, Minnesota. He says "fish is unbelievable with it."

According to a recent article in the Brainerd County Dispatch, Smude Premium Cold Pressed Virgin Sunflower oil is available at "Christmas Point in Baxter and the Crow Wing Food Co-Op in Brainerd. It's on shelves in St. Cloud, Walker, Little Falls and Nisswa. Prairie Bay restaurant in Baxter is using it for a cooking oil. At Grand Casino, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is using the oil - about 15 to 20 gallons a week - for its movie theater popcorn."

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