Why are trans fats worse than other fats?

Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat you can eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fat — also called trans-fatty acids — raises your “bad” cholesterol and also lowers your “good” cholesterol. A diet laden with trans fat increases your risk of heart disease, the leading killer of adults.

What makes trans fats so unhealthy?

Trans fats raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also lower your HDL (good) cholesterol. High LDL along with low HDL levels can cause cholesterol to build up in your arteries (blood vessels). This increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.

What is the difference between a cis fat and a trans fat Why are trans fats considered unhealthy?

Trans fats have a similar shape to saturated fats, so many of the physical properties are the same. Cis fats have a different shape, so the physical properties are different. Trans fats are even more unhealthy than saturated fats in that they raise your LDL levels and lower your HDL levels.

What are fats that are artificially made and considered unhealthy?

However, artificial trans fats — otherwise known as industrial trans fats or partially hydrogenated fats — are hazardous to your health. These fats occur when vegetable oils are chemically altered to stay solid at room temperature, which gives them a much longer shelf life ( 11 ).

What exactly are trans fats?

Trans fats are a type of fat found in some foods. Artificial trans fat is made when hydrogen is added to a liquid vegetable oil to make it more solid. Trans fats can be found in commercially baked and fried foods made with vegetable shortening, such as fries and donuts.

What is the difference between trans fat and cis fat?

Cis or Trans Fatty Acids Cis fatty acid has both hydrogen atoms located on the same side. On the contrary, trans fatty acid has the two hydrogen atoms on opposite sides. Fatty acids with cis configuration are typical in natural foods.

How do trans fats work?

Most of the trans fat in the foods we eat is formed through a manufacturing process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil, which converts the liquid into a solid fat at room temperature. This process is called hydrogenation.

What are fats that are artificially made?

A slight amount of trans fats are naturally occurring, but most are man-made with chemicals. These man-made fats are also called trans fatty acids. Trans fats come from partially hydrogenated oils, which will be listed as an ingredient on the packaging of processed foods that include it.

What are artificial fats?

The Bottom Line. Trans fats are a form of unsaturated fat associated with a number of negative health effects. Artificial trans fat is created during hydrogenation, which converts liquid vegetable oils into semi-solid partially hydrogenated oil. Trans fat can also be found naturally in meat and dairy.

Is trans fat worse than saturated?

“Trans fats raise (bad) LDL cholesterol levels slightly less than do saturated fats,” says Lichtenstein. “But saturated fats also raise levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, and trans fatty acids don’t.” Trans fats may actually lower HDL. Thus, some researchers say trans fats are worse.

Is all saturated fat unhealthy?

It is one of the unhealthy fats, along with trans fat. These fats are most often solid at room temperature. Foods like butter, palm and coconut oils, cheese, and red meat have high amounts of saturated fat. Too much saturated fat in your diet can lead to heart disease and other health problems.