Trans Fats are artificially fats that are found in foods to help make fats more sustainable and preserve longer. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) did research in the 1990s to find the level of trans fats is safe in a human diet.
In 2002, FDA concluded that “no levels of human trans fats were safe for human consumption.” Gave until 2006 for companies to be able to label the amount in food. Companies were still able keep trans fats because if the trans fats were below 0.5 gm/serving than it could still be “0 gram trans fats.”
Trans fats occurs when fats are hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Now the FDA has stated that by 2018 all trans fats have to be removed from foods. New York City banned trans fats over 5 years ago and this has lead to health improvements.
Cholesterol is made up of LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol). Ideally, we want to see HDL above 60 and LDL below 120. Diet and lifestyle are the best thing that you can do to improve cholesterol levels. Short acting niacin can help to improve HDL levels. Increase them! Beware of the flushing effect (but it will decrease over time)
Are you on a statin drug? Take CoQ10 (100 mg) to help to decrease the effects of the drug on the heart.
Changes in food and supplements do have environmental effects and sustainability is always a counter argument that does need to be addressed.
New York Times: FDA Sets 2018 Deadline to Rid Foods of Trans Fats
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/health/fda-gives-food-industry-three-years-eliminate-trans-fats.html?_r=0
Trans fats have lead to healthier people
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-nycs-trans-fat-ban-made-people-healthier/
Statins and CoQ10
http://www.healthline.com/health/coq10-and-statins#Overview1
Deforestation and Trans Fats
http://time.com/3927023/trans-fat-ban-deforestation/
