Much to my dismay, Madison has succeeded in passing a non-binding voluntary ban on trans fats. Although I commend them for making it voluntary, I severely condemn them for getting involved period. Just like global warming, second hand smoke and all of the other liberal panic de jour topics that we have been getting hit with over the past months, I question the legitimacy of the science and I question the legitimacy of government involvement.Being a man of science and logic, I try to ensure that my head rules over my heart. In turn, I avoid allowing the panic topics to get to me and instead choose to go out and do my own research before deciding to jump on a bandwagon. The difference then, between the others and me, is that I don’t believe in allowing the government or special interest groups rule my decision making process. I would rather know the facts and then be able to decide on my own whether or not I want to do something or not. it’s called freedom of choice.

Anyway, getting back to trans fats. I have done my research and have read arguments on both sides of the table. On one hand, I agree with the fact the trans fats probably aren’t very good for you - but then again, there are many things out there that aren’t good for you. Trans fats are just the current topic in the cross hairs. Then again I’ve been down this road before. I’m old enough to remember when eggs were under this same cross hair, and we all know what happened with that one.

See, this is the problem with going on a crusade with questionable science as your only backing. You may be right, but then again, you may be wrong (as was the case with eggs). In the case of trans fats, some of the ill health effects are fairly well proven. Other claims are very much based on speculation (yet the anti-trans fats crowd touts them as facts in stone).

So, health effects aside, why have trans fats suddenly come under fire? See, this is why my red flag goes up when topics such as this come up. After all, if trans fats are as bad as they’re made out to be, why has it taken over 100 years before reaching this level of panic? In fact, trans fats were introduced in 1902 and have been used extensively since then, yet only now are people concerned about the health effects? I can’t help but to call bull on this one.

As far as I can see, this is the saturated fats craze for the 2000’s. Remember the original craze from the 1980’s? According to the massive public campaign, there was nothing worse for you than saturated fat. Eat saturated fats and you’ll probably die. This was due in part to CSPI (Center for Science and Public Interest). At the same time, CSPI exonerated trans fats and specifically claimed that “All told the charges against trans fats just don’t add up. And by extension, hydrogenated oils seem relatively innocent.” In fact, CSPI nutrition director Bonnie Liebman said: “The bottom line. Trans shmans!”

So, in response, congress passed a food labeling act and required food manufacturers to disclose saturated fat content. Interestingly, due to pressure from CSPI and other special interest groups, restaurants changed from using oils containing high levels of saturated fat t0… partially hydrogenated oils.

Interestingly, six years after slamming saturated fat and exonerated trans fats, CSPI demanded that trans fat content on food labels, and cycle of pressure to change begins again.

So, I can’t help but to ask: Is this science or panic? After all, there are some curious facts out there that need to be addressed, and most of these special interest health groups aren’t answering them.

For instance, typical trans fat intake has remained the same since the 1960’s, yet life expectancy has continued to go up. Also, low fat diets lower HDL levels in the body much more so than diets high in trans fats. Approximately 25% of trans fats consumed come from natural sources (i.e. red meat)… Of total fat intake, trans fats make up only about 3%, whereas saturated fats still make up 14% of the average diet. Also, the National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says:

“What’s Public Enemy No. 1 with respect to cholesterol raising? From a dietary standpoint, it’s saturated fat.”

Yet, here we are, going after trans fats as if somebody were putting arsenic in our food. But why? Has the use of trans fats really been killing off Americans any more than other products? Has it’s use lowered our life expectancy? No, of course not. Since 1902, our overall health and life expectancy has certainly gone up - significantly at that. In fact, according to WebMD, between 1970 and 2002, deaths related to heart disease dropped 52%. Need more proof? How many people in the military are dropping over from heart disease? Want to know a secret? The military has made pretty good use of trans fats over the years due to it’s stability and shelf life. Hell, that’s one of the reasons that boat food was so damned good. A little chow cooked up in some Crisco. MMMMM, good!

So, with all that said, here is my official stance:

Moderation. Trans fats should be considered within your total diet and lifestyle. Yes, trans fats are bad for you - however really not much worse than saturated fats - and should be limited. However, trans fats do not cause heart disease. Trans fats may contribute to heart disease, but so do saturated fats, salt, and a whole host of other food items. So here’s the bottom line… Trans fats in moderation and a healthy lifestyle will not kill, however trans fats in higher levels and a less than healthy lifestyle probably isn’t good for your health and heart.

As for Madison, well, as I have said before. I don’t believe in any sort of government involvement. I don’t believe in regulation - however non-binding it may be - over people’s right to choose. Jumping on the panic bandwagon does nothing to teach people responsibility for themselves. It breeds dependence on the government to tell them what they should or shouldn’t do, which is not a good way to be. I’m sorely disappointed in this decision, and will work against any attempt to make this a statewide issue (which is the next move by Madison and Informed Consumers Equal Improved Health).

Keep your hands out of our freedoms.

Check out the Trans Fats FAQ