Newletter #16

Two recent Dutch studies have linked trans fats (or hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils) to an increased risk for coronary problems. And that's only the latest bad news on trans fats!

Food processors hydrogenate (or add hydrogen) to fats in an effort to make them more shelf stable and solid. Unfortunately, many commercially processed and fast foods that boast "no cholesterol" and "low in saturated fat" labeling contain these sneaky trans fats. Because trans fats aren't listed as such yet, it's important to read labels carefully--and avoid foods that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrotenated fats, especially if you're expecting.

"Margarines, shortenings, and partially hydrogenated oils (which contain trans-fatty acids), and fried or deep-fried oils and refined mass-market oils (which contain altered, toxic fatty acid derivatives) should all be avoided before conception, during pregnancy, while lactating, and forever, advises fatty oil expert Udo Erasmus, PhD. "If the mother consumes them, they show up in her breast milk," he adds. Fortunately, most natural food manufacturers carefully avoid trans fats, and a number of European food producers are finding new ways to reduce trans fats in foods.

Selected Sources

*Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill by Udo Erasmus

*"Stealth Fats: How Food Makers Hide Them From You,", UC Berkely Wellnes

Letter, 4/02

HCA FIGHTS FAT

Currently 97 million American adults are overweight or obese--and the number of children packig on excess pounds is reaching epidemic proportions. Unfortunately for the majority of Americans (especially older adults), reducing calories and exercising more simply aren't enough. "There is a place for safe, reliable natural products for weight control," says researcher Harry G. Preuss, MD, at Georgetown University Medical Center. "It's important to lose fat, not muscle."

Derived from the rind of Garcinia cambogia fruit, hydroxycitric acid (HCA) has recently shown real promise in weight loss and control, by not only suppressing hunger but also preventing the metabolism of carbohydrates into fat. Now a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that HCA lowers triglycerides, total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as BMI (body mass index, which determines overall body fat), while raising HDL (healthy) cholesterol.

In additin, HCA impacts several markers associated with weight. For instance, leptin, which is produced by fat cells, decreased in people taking HCA, whle the neurotransmitter serotonin, important in appetite control, increased with HCA use.

Even more impressive were results for a proprietary natural product that combines HCA with niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre, an Ayurvedic herb used to treat diabetes. This combination supplement not only helped shut down fat production but also produced stronger results in all the various indices tested. While more research is important, this study demonstrates how effective these natural weight-loss products can be--when used correctly (on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before meals) and in sufficient doses (three divided doses of either 2700 mg

HCA or 4500 mg Super CitriMax).

Selected Sources

*"Effects of HCA-SX (Super CitriMax) on Weight Control Parameters in

Humans" by Harry G. Pruess, MD

*Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James

F. Balch, MD

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