Trans-Fatty Acids Dont Increase Diabetes Risk. Really?!

Filed in archive Developments , Diet , Research on July 9, 2008

Well, we all know trans-fatty acids are bad for our health. Bad for the heart, bad for the body, it's just bad right? Now, a new study in rats is saying that trans-fatty acid doesn't seem to increase the risk of diabetes. Really?!

In none of the cases did the diet alter the rat's insulin or glucose responses, nor did it significantly affect their muscle capacity. The researchers confirmed their rat studies in cell culture studies by incubating muscle cells with either trans-fatty acids or oleic acid (olive oil); as in the rats, there were no noticeable difference in the insulin sensitivity of the cells.

So while trans-fatty acids are still relatively unhealthy, these findings do show that muscles can utilize them, whether natural or industrial, much like regular fats; thus, trans-fat metabolites won't accumulate in muscles and increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Alright fine, maybe one less cause for concern. But isn't diabetes, heart disease and Metabolic syndrome related? I'd still be wary of trans-fatty acids.

But then the above findings are still from lab rats. So yeah, I guess experts and consumer alike are rolling there eyes like I am doing right now. But of course it is still too early to tell, like the above research findings are from a rat study anyway.

I'm just saying it's it will do one more good than harm if you keep away from trans-fatty acids.

[In Photo: Trans Fatty Acids by Albert J. Dijkstra, Richard J. Hamilton, and Wolf Hamm (Hardcover - Dec 1, 2007)]