Comments on: New York City approves trans fat ban

By: R Stern

R Stern — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:15:09 +0000

What’s the replacement oil? Has it been thoroughly tested under typical restaurant conditions? The last big “health improvement” was to avoid anything containing saturated fat, and to use partially hydrogenated oil instead. People have lived with that mistake, many eating large amounts of trans fats, for over 15 years. Please, no more mistakes

Hi RStern–

I fear your plea will fall on deaf ears.� And I can guarantee you that the ‘new and improved’ replacement oil will trigger the law of unintended consequences.

I don’t understand all the hand wringing over all this anyway.� Why don’t the fast food places simply go back to using saturated fats.� We (the informed) know that saturated fats aren’t the problem, but the great unwashed masses still think they are.� But, who cares?� Does anyone seriously believe that health-conscious people dine at McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s?� You could put anything in their food, and as long as it tasted like the masses expect it to taste, and as long as the portions are hefty, they will continue to line up at the counter.
Cheers–

MRE

By: George Mead

George Mead — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 01:13:32 +0000

I fear the unintended consequences could easily be much worse. The whole problem was caused by the forced “Politically Correct” substitution of tallow, lard and tropical oils with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in the first place. For that reason they cannot just go back. What will be used is something that again has never been verified safe, just assumed so via invalid logic. I haven’t even heard one report about exactly what the “new” solution is.

Hi George–

I haven’t heard what’s in the hopper yet, either, but I’m sure whatever it is, it will come with its whole set of problems.� As the old song says: When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn.

Cheers–

MRE

By: mrfreddy

mrfreddy — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:25:07 +0000

is there a connection between asthma and saturated fat intake (or lack thereof)? I’ve had mild asthma for years and I noticed it seems to have vanished since I started low carbing… and staying away from cats…

Hi mrfreddy–

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of my patients reduce symptoms of asthma and other inflammatory disorders once they start low-carb dieting.� I don’t know specifically what causes the reduction in symptoms other than an overall reduction in inflammation, which has been shown in the medical literature.� Keeping away from cats can’t hurt, either.

Best–

MRE

By: Paul B.

Paul B. — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:42:58 +0000

Mike–Are they going to ban HFCS, white flour, and white rice too? I don’t eat any of that crap but the idea of government telling me what I can and can’t eat is appalling.

Any idea which fats restaurants will switch to? Bet they’re afraid to switch to saturated fats for fear of being accused of causing clogged arteries, heart attacks, etc. This is ironic, considering that most people don’t get enough sat. fats and cholesterol–I think that’s one reason depression and immune problems (e.g. asthma) are so common these days.

Thanks for the interesting info, as always.

Hi Paul–

Right you are–we don’t get enough sat fats and good unoxidized cholesterol.� And I agree about the consequences of asthma, depression, immune problems, etc.

Let’s hope the ban on trans fats sates the regulatory beast for a while.

I don’t know what oils they will use.� Probably coconut or palm oils–both of which would be major improvements.� Unfortunately, I’m sure food manufacturers are staying up nights trying to figure out how to make a substitute for trans fat, which will, of course, trigger the law of unintended consequences just as the trans fats did.

Cheers–

MRE