Tc
Mon, Jan-22-07, 17:16
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=349196&ssid=-
28&sid=ENV
Trans fats increase infertility risk in women
London, Jan 21: Researchers from the Harvard School of Public
Health in Boston have found that fats hidden in thousands of
foods can reduce women's chances of conceiving.
They say that hidden fats can increase the risk of fertility
problems by 70 per cent or more, and that eating as little
as one doughnut or a portion of chips a day can have a
damaging effect.
Women who want to conceive, advise scientists, better avoid
the fats called trans fats, which have no nutritional value
but are included in processed foods simply to extend their
shelf life.
Knowing the precise amount of trans fats in any food item is
yet another uphill task for people, as its mention in the
labels of processed foods is not necessary.
Trans fats are also found naturally in some red meat and dairy
products, but most are produced artificially in a
high-temperature process called hydrogenation that turns
liquid oil into solid fat.
Previous studies had shown that such fats could be linked to
artery-blocking 'bad' cholesterol, which in turn could lead to
heart attacks and strokes.
In the study, the researchers looked at 18,500 women trying to
conceive, and found 438 cases of ovulatory problems.
They also saw a 70 per cent increased risk of infertility in
women who took two per cent of their energy intake from trans
fats, instead of carbohydrates or polyunsaturated fats like
sunflower oil.
Intake of energy from trans fats instead of monounsaturated
fats like olive oil doubled the likelihood of having
ovulatory problems.
"It's really a small amount of fats that we observed having a
significant effect on infertility," the Daily Mail quoted Lead
researcher Dr Jorge Chavarro as saying.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, suggests that women who want to conceive watch
their trans fat consumption, besides giving up smoking and
maintaining a healthy weight.
It is still unclear how the trans fats affect ovulation,
but the researchers believe that they may affect
sensitivity to insulin which is dramatically implicated in
fertility problems.
A spokesman for the Food and Drink Federation, however,
insisted that the industry was committed to reducing trans
fats levels "as low as technically possible".
"We want to dispel the myth that this is a major problem.
Trans fats appear in only a relatively small number of
products," he said.
Bureau Report
********
TC
28&sid=ENV
Trans fats increase infertility risk in women
London, Jan 21: Researchers from the Harvard School of Public
Health in Boston have found that fats hidden in thousands of
foods can reduce women's chances of conceiving.
They say that hidden fats can increase the risk of fertility
problems by 70 per cent or more, and that eating as little
as one doughnut or a portion of chips a day can have a
damaging effect.
Women who want to conceive, advise scientists, better avoid
the fats called trans fats, which have no nutritional value
but are included in processed foods simply to extend their
shelf life.
Knowing the precise amount of trans fats in any food item is
yet another uphill task for people, as its mention in the
labels of processed foods is not necessary.
Trans fats are also found naturally in some red meat and dairy
products, but most are produced artificially in a
high-temperature process called hydrogenation that turns
liquid oil into solid fat.
Previous studies had shown that such fats could be linked to
artery-blocking 'bad' cholesterol, which in turn could lead to
heart attacks and strokes.
In the study, the researchers looked at 18,500 women trying to
conceive, and found 438 cases of ovulatory problems.
They also saw a 70 per cent increased risk of infertility in
women who took two per cent of their energy intake from trans
fats, instead of carbohydrates or polyunsaturated fats like
sunflower oil.
Intake of energy from trans fats instead of monounsaturated
fats like olive oil doubled the likelihood of having
ovulatory problems.
"It's really a small amount of fats that we observed having a
significant effect on infertility," the Daily Mail quoted Lead
researcher Dr Jorge Chavarro as saying.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, suggests that women who want to conceive watch
their trans fat consumption, besides giving up smoking and
maintaining a healthy weight.
It is still unclear how the trans fats affect ovulation,
but the researchers believe that they may affect
sensitivity to insulin which is dramatically implicated in
fertility problems.
A spokesman for the Food and Drink Federation, however,
insisted that the industry was committed to reducing trans
fats levels "as low as technically possible".
"We want to dispel the myth that this is a major problem.
Trans fats appear in only a relatively small number of
products," he said.
Bureau Report
********
TC