Food 10: Foods High in Trans Fats
Trans fats, or trans fatty acids, have been a topic of intense scrutiny in the nutrition world. Found primarily in processed foods like cakes, cookies, and fried foods, these artificially created fats are notorious for their detrimental effects on heart health.
Trans fats raise your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and lower your “good” HDL cholesterol. This unfavorable shift in cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
But the problems with trans fats don’t stop at cholesterol. There’s also evidence linking trans fats to inflammation, an immune system response that can damage the heart’s tissue. Over time, this damage can worsen atrial fibrillation.
Moreover, consumption of trans fats can lead to weight gain and obesity, both known risk factors for afib. They increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition that’s often seen in conjunction with afib.
Avoiding trans fats might require some label reading, as they often lurk in the ingredients list under names like “partially hydrogenated oils”. However, the benefits of limiting these harmful fats extend beyond afib management, to overall heart health and well-being. (9)
