Moderation is key when it comes to how much fat to eat, but
some fats are better for your hormones & health than others.
As mum’s we know too
well the importance of
providing a balanced diet for
our children. Unfortunately
though, many parents are
unaware of the effect of
Trans Fatty Acids (TFA’s) in
our favourite snacks and
foods. Not only do they
cause weight gain, but they
also effect mood, brain
function and much more.
UNHEALTHY SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
• Irritability, Anxiety or
Depression
• Stubborn weight especially
around your tummy and lower
body
• Fatigue and weakness
• Hormonal imbalance -
Irregular Periods, Skin problems
or Hair Loss
• Cravings.
• Swollen or sore breasts
• Lowered Libido
The Australian government
is encouraging the
manufacturers of products
to clearly list TFA’s on labels.
The Australian Medical
Association is calling for a
ban on TFA’s, in line with
that enforced in Denmark.
There, foods containing
more than 2% are outlawed.
Unfortunately current
Australian legislation states
that Trans fat need only be
listed when a product is
marketed as low in
cholesterol or saturated fat.
What many people don’t
realise is that Trans Fats
are almost as bad for you as
smoking.
Trans Fats found in
margarines, biscuits, fried
foods & processed foods
make you gain weight the
same way that saturated fats
(mostly animal fats) do.
They also contribute to
diseases such as diabetes,
obesity, heart disease, and
cancer. Over the long term,
they interfere with your
body’s ability to ingest and
utilize the good fats &
promote fatty body tissue to
synthesize small amounts of
testosterone and related
hormones. These play roles
in fuelling hormonal
imbalances such as
Polycystic Ovarian
Disorder, Fibroids,
Endometriosis, & PMT &
low libido.
SO HOW IS THE HARM DONE?
Picture it like this. The TFA’s
stop the essential fatty acids
(derived from fish & good
nuts - important for
balancing sex hormones)
from getting into the cell
wall. So they have to find
some where else to go. Over
time, more and more TFA’s
block more cells - so new fat
cells have to be built to keep
them in – so you get fatter.
1. YOUR METABOLISM SLOWS
Oils derived from soybeans
etc slow down your Thyroid,
which lowers your energy
levels, makes you feel less
like exercising, and generally
makes you fatter!
2. TRANS FATS AFFECT, INSULIN, AND GROWTH HORMONE
Trans Fatty Acids impede
insulin’s potential to bind
with the cell, causing it to
stay circulating in the blood.
Now there is an excess of
insulin in the bloodstream.
Result? Ravenous hunger,
low energy, and lightheadedness
mood swings &
teariness. You then have to
eat, and you have to eat
carbs to satisfy the hunger.
The long-term effect is
lots of carbs, lots of
overeating, and a total
inability to generate growth
hormone (which is only
released in the absence of
insulin). Without growth
hormone, less muscle is
created, so there is less of an
opportunity to burn the fat!
3. HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Along with making us gain
weight. TFA’s can also
interfere with the
production of
prostaglandins which may
increase the severity and
incidence of PMS, Painful
periods and Endometriosis.
Weight gain and
abdominal obesity are
strongly associated with
insulin resistance. Evidence
suggests that
hyperinsulinemia (excess
insulin) increases ovarian
androgen production and
decreases serum SHBG (Sex
hormone-binding globulin
that binds to sex hormones,
specifically Testosterone
and Estradiol). Increased
androgen production and
reduced binding of
androgens to SHBG
contribute to
Hyperandrogenism,
resulting in a lack of
ovulation & increased facial
hair – imbalances found in
women diagnosed with
PCOS.
4. YOUR MOOD
CHANGES
In a recent study at the
University of Guelph, Dr.
Bruce Holub has
demonstrated that the huge
increase in TFA’s in our diets
over the last twenty years has
been the main factor in the
rise in the new generation of
Attention Deficit Disorder
(ADD) and Attention
Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder (ADHD) in
children & could even
contribute to mood changes
in adults such as anxiety,
depression, aggression and
poor concentration.
His research has shown
that TFA interferes with the
absorption of Omega-3
fattyacids which are
physiologically important
for brain function.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For starters, read food labels
and avoid anything that
contains the words
“hydrogenated”. That
means partially
hydrogenated oils,
hydrogenated oils, or
anything of that kind.
Secondly eat more good fats
- the Omega-3’s found in
flaxseed, avocado, olive oil,
many nuts (e.g. walnuts,
almonds, hazelnuts), oily
fish - mackerel, tuna,
salmon, herring, trout, cod
(and cod liver oil) sardines,
bluefish & restore the
integrity of cell membranes.
Finally, take an anti oxidant
every day & keep the Tim
Tam intake to a minimum!
Unfortunately though, if
you have significant
imbalance symptoms the
repairing of long-term
damage takes time and is not
as simple as cutting these
"poisons" from your diet. Hormonal imbalances need
to be both identified and
treated. The use of targeted
herbs and other nutritional
support via dietary changes
have well documented
success in achieving
accelerated rebalance and
improved health.
LOOKING FOR HEALTHY ANSWERS?
Remember, your health
reflects the way you live – so
isn’t it time you started
making some healthy
changes?
Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of
MassAttack, is a practicing
Naturopath specializing in the
research and development of
natural treatment programs for
women with hormonal imbalances,
which have contributed to such
symptoms as weight gain, cravings,
anxiety and mood swings. She is
both an accomplished wrier and
recent recipient of the Australian
Naturopathic Excellence Award
2006.
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