By now, nearly everyone has heard of trans fats and the negative effect they can have on our health. These fats contribute to heart disease by raising the bad cholesterol and lowering the good cholesterol. A recent study at Harvard School of Public Health suggests that they may also impair a woman’s fertility.
The study showed that women who ate a diet that included trans fats were more likely to have a fertility problem related to ovulation. If trans fats were 2% or more of the total daily calories, the risk of infertility was double, among study participants.
Women with a low carb diet and 2% or more trans fats fared even worse. This group had about a 70% greater risk of having an infertility problem related to ovulation. The results sound significant, but keep in mind that the study has yet to be replicated. Additional studies will be done to determine whether there is a definitive link between trans fats and infertility.
Whether the results hold true or not, it’s beneficial to your family’s health to eliminate trans fats. To avoid them, you need to know what they are and where they are normally found. Trans fats are hydrogenated oils. This process makes the oil thicker. The product will have a longer shelf life as a result of the process.
You will need to read the labels to determine if trans fats are in the foods you buy. In most cases, the label won’t say that the product contains trans fats. You should look for ingredients such as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, this is an indication that there are trans fats in the product.
It is getting easier to avoid trans fats. Some fast food chains, such as Wendy’s and Taco Bell are working toward eliminating trans fats from their foods. The New York City Board of Health has recently banned trans fats from restaurants. Restaurant owners have eighteen months to phase trans fats out of their food.
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