Transfats (artificial trans fatty acids) added to foods should be banned, but Andrew Wadge, Food Standards Agency's Chief Scientist, disagrees. WHY?

This Guardian report informs us that "The UK Faculty of Public Health is urging ministers to eradicate artificial trans fatty acids, known as trans fats, from the British diet. The move is needed to reduce people's risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke, says the faculty, which represents 3,300 doctors and public health specialists in the NHS, local government and medical research."

But Andrew Wadge, the Food Standards Agency's Chief Scientist, disagrees. One wonders why. The fact that only small quantities are added is a disingenuous argument, since even very small quantities are harmful.

In that same blogpost you will see that he is also flogging that old, disproved warhorse, namely that saturated fats are bad for us. He claims that " As a nation we are all eating much more saturated fat than we need to, which is having a negative effect on our health", which is quite untrue, and it's a real shame that the FSA is campaigning to discourage people from eating saturated fats. For a more informed and well-researched view on saturated fats I urge you to read this blogpost by Dr Briffa.

And here's a very simple way to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke: cut down on salt and salty food.

Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, stroke, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver and kidney problems, boost your lung function and improve your health in many other ways without drugs, hunger or expense by eating less salt! - Try it!

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Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

Sodium in foods

Fat retention and fat excretion: the importance of getting enough calcium.