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Doctor's Senior Exercise and Health NewsletterThe monthly Doctor’s Senior Exercise and Health Newsletter is written solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone else who have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe Back Issues March 1, 2007 Issue Vol. 7 No. 3 In This Newsletter Introduction Healthfully yours Health Hints Introduction*** The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it. This newsletter is scanned for viruses and is virus-free before it is sent to recipients!Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com How to subscribe: Click Newsletter on left menu at website for more info and to subscribe or browse directly to: http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/dsenews E-Mail address: newsletter@doctorsexercise.com Healthfully Yours***
Primer On Trans Fats During these past many years I have been writing about and issuing warnings about the dangers that the foods we have been eating contain a particular fat that is extremely detrimental to our health. That fat is called trans fats. It seems now, it has become a byword of all the nutritionists, and everyone connected to the food industry. Even the government has gotten the message and is becoming more involved, issuing directives for limiting the use of trans fats. Many local governments and states are beginning to pass laws that will ban restaurants from using trans fats in the foods they prepare. Schools have recognized the problem as well and are banning snacks that contain trans fats. New York City was one of the first cities to recognize the need to eliminate trans fats from our diets, and in December they passed an ordinance eliminating the use of these harmful fats for use in restaurants. Several other states are now studying the feasibility of banning trans fats. They are California, Oregon and Michigan, and I predict more and more states will get on the bandwagon, as soon as they realize the public is becoming more aware of the need to eliminate trans fats from their diet. Another important step that is taking place is that the Fast Food restaurants are realizing that they must follow suit if they wish to retain their customer base. McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC, have said that they will eliminate the use of trans fats by the year 2008. Eliminating saturated fats and cholesterol from our diet has been a goal of the health-minded, diet conscious people in the past. We knew that fats were to be kept to minimal amounts in the foods we eat. Fats are necessary in the normal functioning of our body and should be limited to approximately 30 percent of our daily diet. These are the monounsaturated or Polyunsaturated fats. However, very little attention has been given to trans fats. Yet, it is the trans fats that are the real culprit that contributes to the clogging of the arteries, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. What then are trans fats? These are the fats created by adding hydrogen to a liquid fat. This results in a solid fat, such as margarine and other shortenings. The melting properties are changed in these fats and they will remain solid at room temperatures. Food manufacturers use these fats because their shelf life is so much longer, and they actually enhance the taste and flavor of their products. It is for this reason trans fats are found in almost all baked goods, cookies, chips, crackers, etc. It is found in all the oils used for cooking and frying in most of all the restaurants. The danger that these trans fats pose to the body is that they raise the bad cholesterol (LDL), and it is this cholesterol that accumulates in the arteries, clogging them so that cut-off the circulation of the blood to dominant arteries bringing blood to important organs and extremities of the body. Impaired blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack, when it is to the brain, a stroke can occur. Reduced blood flow in the legs can cause peripheral artery disease (PAD). And the list goes on. What can the individual do to lower their risk in the prevention of these serious consequences? The answer would be a resounding effort in avoiding the ingestion of trans fats. To learn more in this effort, read how in the health hints below. Health Hints***
The final thought is that the importance of reading the labels of the foods before you buy them is of the utmost necessity. That, and following simple rules of substitution in your diet, can cut down the bad fats you eat on a daily basis. By doing so, you reduce the risk of coronary disease, diabetes, clogging of the arteries, cancer, and stroke. Doc Cane
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