Let’s Talk Health and Nutrition with Dr. H

                    Understanding Trans Fats:   Some animal food sources, for example, dairy products and meat contain small quantities of trans fats naturally.  Generally, these small quantities of trans fats that are in their natural state do not present a major issue. The major issue arises when trans fatty acids are manufactured via the process of partial hydrogenation.  During this process, hydrogen is added to vegetable oils turning them into solid fats such as margarine and shortenings used for baking. The new products are also referred to as partially hydrogenated oils or (PHOs). Usually, in natural polyunsaturated fatty acids, the hydrogen atoms are configured on the same side of the double bonds along the carbon chain.  In the process of partial hydrogenation, reconfiguration occurs so that hydrogen atoms at the double bonds are arranged across from each other on opposite sides of the ca...