Trans fats bad news for weight control

The 'apple' body shape that increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease may be accelerated by eating trans fat such as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, according to new animal research.

Scientists found that over six years, male monkeys fed a western-style diet that contains trans fat had a 7.2% increase in body weight, compared to a 1.8% increase in monkeys that ate monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil.

The monkeys were all given the same amount of daily calories, with 35% of the calories coming from fat. All that extra weight went to the abdomen, and some other body fat was redistributed to the abdomen. The monkeys on the diet containing trans fats had dramatically more abdominal fat than the monkeys on the monounsaturated fat.

“Diets rich in trans fat cause a redistribution of fat tissue into the abdomen and lead to a higher body weight, even when the total dietary calories are controlled,” said Lawrence L. Rudel, PhD, professor of pathology and biochemistry and head of the Lipid Sciences Research Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the USA.

“What it says is that trans fat is worse than anticipated,” Rudel said. “I was surprised.”

Trans fat is found in vegetable shortenings, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils.

Source: Wake Forest University School of Medicine