Hydrogenated Oils

I Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NASB)

Let me just warn you, this will be a rather long post. This is the second major change that we have made, and as you will see, for very good reason.

"Consuming partially hydrogenated oils is like inhaling cigarette smoke. They will kill you-slowly over time, but as surely as you breathe. And in the meantime, they will make you fat." --Eric Armstrong

What is hydrogenation? Hydrogenation occurs when in the process of heating the oil, hydrogen bubbles are passed through it. Fatty acids acquire hydrogen, making it more dense. It is a consistency like butter, but it's cheaper. Think of Crisco. Often time soybean oil is used for hydrogenation. Soybean oil can depress the thyroid, lowers energy levels making one feel less like exercising.

Another name for hydrogenated oils is trans fats. Trans fats are poisons that "interfere with the metabolic process of life by taking the place of a natural substance that performs a critical function." Your body has no defense against these metabolic poisons. There are no safe levels. Partially hydrogenated oils make you consume more food to get the essential fatty acids that you need. On the other hand, foods containing large amounts of polyunsaturated oils such as fish, olives, nuts, and egg yolks fill you up in small quantities. Hydrogenated oils will produce disease over the long term by interfering with the body's ability to utilize good fats.

What can you do? Read labels and avoid foods with hydrogenated oils. Avoid deep fried foods. Hydrogenated oil is used in the food industry to prolong shelf life of processed foods maximizing profits.

This is a staggering statistic: Partially hydrogenated oils are in 40% of foods at the grocery store; almost 50% of cereals (cold and hot); 70% of cake mixes; 75% of chips and salty snacks; 80% of frozen breakfast foods; 95% of cookies. Even "healthy" foods such as granola bars, power bars, low fat cookies and crackers contain hydrogenated oils.

PHO's are linked to Syndrome X (Beer Belly Syndrome). This describes a collection of health problems linked to the cell's inability to process insulin. Resistance to insulin leads to obesity.

This is a HUGE problem in American homes when 1/3 of all calories from food are not prepared at home. Children eat 40% of their meals at fast food restaurants. French fries are cooked in hydrogenated vegetable oil, as well as anything else that is fried (chicken nuggets, fish sticks, apple pies, crispy sandwiches, etc...) Fortunately for us, we rarely eat fast food. The only times we do are when we are traveling and there is nothing else around. Often, I will get a salad and never fried food.

One last note--margarine, often touted as a "health food." After I read how it was made, I gave it up completely. It is not a healthy food. It's natural color is grey which is removed by bleach. Dyes and flavors are added. It is then compressed into blocks or tubs and sold as a health food.
Why in the world would you want to eat something so artificial?

Better choices: extra virgin coconut oil, butter, olive oil (never fry with olive oil), safflower oil. I will discuss the benefits of these oils in a later post. As with most anything, moderation is the key.

For more information: San Fransisco Chronicle--Jan. 30, 2002; Nourishing Traditions, The Maker's Diet, www.treelight.com/health/nutrition;
www. recoverymedicine.com/hydrogenated_oils.htm