More bad news about trans-fat

In a previous blog I discussed how trans-fat has been proven to be bad for your health.

In fact, there are efforts to ban this manufactured substance in several countries and US cities because the evidence for the health problems it causes are so strong.

Now, a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University suggests that trans-fat might be a even a bigger health problem than anyone thought.

These researchers fed two groups of monkeys, over a six year period, a calorie-controlled diet. Both groups were fed exactly the same number of calories.

The only difference in the diet between the two groups was the type of fat which made up 8% of the calories consumed. In one group, the fat was olive oil and, in the other group, the fat was trans-fat.

You’d expect that the weight of the monkeys in the two groups would be the same after six years. The ate exactly the same amount of calories so it doesn’t even seem possible that the monkey’s weight would be different.

Well, surprise, surprise!

The monkeys that were eating trans-fats gained FOUR TIMES more weight than the olive oil eaters! And, worse, the fat that was gained settled in their abdomen (see November 1st post on exercise and visceral fat to learn why this is an issue).

How is this possible? I have no idea — but that’s what the researchers found.

You can read a more in-depth review of this study at this link:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/521041/

Allen Oelschlaeger
Author of Finally, the Straight Scoop About Weight, Nutrition, and Fitness