Everyone knows the reputation of cholesterol, fat seen as dangerous for the circulatory system and then as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in general.

Perhaps people are less able to know that there are other extremely hazardous with a low fat famous people, are trans fats, also called hydrogenated fats.

In America, especially in New York, there is a battle to eliminate the drive for restaurants and food industries and new these harmful ingredients. In simple terms are mostly fatty acids from plants by baking at high temperatures or through chemical processing systems are treated by hydrogenation, thereby altering their chemical structure from the natural "cis" to the artificially produced in "trans ".

Thanks to the method by which the beginning of the twentieth century produced many margarines are of plant origin, have been created in this way, low-cost fat that have invaded the food industry like wildfire. Biscuits, cakes, pies, pizzas, and almost all packaged products may contain them, and all fried foods are very rich. Do you think that the beloved potato chips will contain a quantity equal to 45% of their weight. There are, for example, trans fats naturally present in cow's milk and some vegetables but their harmful biochemical effect is not even remotely comparable to that of the trans forms obtained chemically.

Think of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences (IOM) has proposed for zero tolerance of trans fats.

This means that should be removed from production. According to several researchers, trans fats are responsible for a significant alteration of lipid metabolism-lowering LDL cholesterol and raise HDL, increase the number of adipocytes or fat cells, the production of free radicals, insulin production and reduce the metabolism of omega 3. are also many other biochemical interference and the implications for the delicate internal systems, in particular on the hormonal system and the immune system.

In particular, the work conducted by biochemist Barry Sears shows that trans fats, the same way that "fans" (NSAIDs) block the production of certain hormones called eicosanoids, deputies to the regeneration of cells, altering the balance between those Members of the pro-inflammatory and regenerating those cellular destruction. It follows a chronic inflammatory condition silent.

In addition, trans fats, raising the LEVEL OF insulin, which also happens with the intake of carbohydrates especially those ultra-refined, are responsible for one part of an increase of another recently discovered hormone called endocannabinoid contributing to the sense of hunger perceived by the individual and therefore constantly searching for food. The other, the same increase in insulin concentration in the blood just like any chemicals complex produces a kind of resistance with secondary progressive receptor request for increasing amounts of circulating insulin. That's especially refined carbohydrates become a kind of drug.

Not only that, many researchers argue that hyperinsulinemia is precisely to determine what is described as metabolic syndrome, consisting of overweight, characterized by increased fat in the abdominal region, increased blood triglycerides, decrease good cholesterol (HDL), often also hypertension. Many argue that this syndrome is the first alarm bell of a possible development of diabetes mellitus or type II

Carbohydrates have always been considered as the main source of energy that is the base of the food pyramid, through processing and manufacturing, products have become highly dangerous to health. It 'almost impossible to go to the supermarket and do not make a basket full to take home!

It is said with great pride that the Americans and Germans eat badly in Italy, but the famous Mediterranean diet is slowly leaving the room for meals of refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats. Pizza, focaccia, the bread is no longer the baker in the traditional way, insiame pasta, also produced industrially, not to mention the dishes prepared. In short, no longer a starter, the first and second courses, no sir there is no one who has the money or time to prepare many different dishes. And between a first and a second is chosen first because it satisfies the palate and satisfy more and is definitely cheaper. And 'the era of the single dish!

The packaged ice cream melted, but also many are still a source of large amounts of sugar which is hydrogenated fats and are often considered healthy and can replace a meal convinced to have made a healthy choice.

We must return to the true Mediterranean diet luxurious Mediterranean, the starter, the first, following the outline and fruit not seen as a great feast but understood as the ability to vary our daily food, to prepare them at home using olive oil and freshest possible ingredients and mix them together to avoid a massive intake of carbohydrates alone and hydrogenated fats.

Fruits and vegetables not only should but must always be different each day, such as the use of seeds like almonds, pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds, herbs and good olive oil. The grain must also vary and can possibly be the least refined and eaten in small doses and not as a main dish and nothing else. Finally, the proteins are more suitable than the fish. Even this food will vary, possibly taking advantage of the smaller fish. This reduces the possibility of exceeding the intake of mercury.

But I remember in this context that the possibility of taking toxins through the food is always high and you do not save anyone, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and fish and even water, is always required attention but we can not demonize the entire food as a precautionary measure.

Oily fish such as sardines and anchovies, but also the sole, the eviction, tuna and swordfish also contain moderate amounts of omega 3. These essential fatty acids or introducing not only the diet and synthesized in the body, go into the production of hormones and eicosanoids, in particular, help maintain balance in the number of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and the number of those anti-inflammatory reducing the harmful effects of fatty acids trans and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which often makes use (or misuse) for therapeutic purposes.

Although here too there is now almost the figure of the housewife who goes shopping every day, carefully choosing where to buy each ingredient prepared with love and maybe even pasta and bread as well as dishes are always different. Must take a step back, even if the children like pasta and it is easier to cook, riduciamola and spend extra time to clean the vegetables and oily fish and think of new recipes tasty and healthy instead of being perhaps hours watching TV or PC.

This speech, of course, applies to both men and women!

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Tags: Food , cholesterol , cis fats , hydrogenated fats , trans fats , fat , omega 3

Article published by Cathe on 26/7/10 at 7:00 am in the category Articles , a. Attentive. . You can check out the comments to this entry through the feed RSS 2.0 . You can leave a response , or trackback a call from your own site .