Boston health regulators pass trans fat ban. What is trans fat anyway?

I am always hearing about trans fat..I have noticed that on some things i buy these days say no trans fat..I really do not know or understand just what trans fat is,however since it is being banned,and it is always talked about i figure it must be really bad for you...It must have something to do with stopping up the veins of your heart..I cannot think of any other reason....I will read what others have to say....

Transfat is one of the unsaturated fat which is partially hydrogenated oil (they add hydrogen to the oil making it shelf stable - think lard). It is one of the worse types of fats that you can consume, which is why it really needs to be banned. Transfats is suppose to be one of the largest contributors to weight gain in the US, the contribute to high level of LDL cholesterol, and significantly increase coronary heart disease by increasing LDL cholesterol (the "bad") and decrease HDL cholesterol (the "good"). It is in almost everything you eat, especially items like cakes and cookies because it helps products be shelf stable for longer periods of time.

Here is a web site that explains it all. http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/Transfat.htm#What%20is%20trans%20fat?

it's not only trans-fat that's should be banned, but the other types of fat too. but not to ban it entirely as we need fat too. it must only be used in very limited amount.

I think it is punishing us thinner people who for the most part live healthy and eat right. I think that I have earned the right to indulge in a big mac on occassion. I love them but I very very rarely go to places like that. I cook home-cooked meals and healthy meals at home most of the time. I am not overweight and I am a healthy person....have not missed a days work in over 20 years. I should be able to go out and eat that stuff on occassion. The government is trying to force people with unhealthy habits to be healthy by making the people they buy their unhealthy food from responsible....it is just dumb and giving the government our power of choice. Its kind of the same as the bartender who is held responsible for the actions of the drinker buying the drinks.they are responsible for that person buying too many drinks???.

OK ,ctrymuziklvr,ya reddy for this? trans fats are like when you take canola oil and heat it up and inject it with Hydrogen it makes it very stable and almost indestructible {for looooooooong shelf life} like twinkys .Ive been told that there's a '100'year old twinky thats still edible.....Woo Hoo/

I watched a show about this, possibly on PBS. It is a fat molecule that has been changed, to become partially or completely hydrogenized. It is sticky and is part of the problem with our arteries,and hearts. If a "fat" is liquid, and oil, it is not trans fat. Unfortunately this is also what makes so many of our goodies taste good. It may be then that the city of Boston is going to encourage the restaurants not to use anything except oils.

Trans fat is where you convert liquid oils such as vegetable oils to solid fats. It is known as hydrogenated fat and is the worse kind of fat you can have. Have you noticed those fat and obese women in their fifties to seventies? Well they got that way not just by overeating, but by eating food made with margarine and shortening, having margarine on their bread and remember soft margarine did not come until much later. I had margarine from the time I was eight, I have switched to olive oil and butter now, and I eat lots of veggies, fruits, and salads. It also contributes to diabetes, and heart condition. And even half a gram of trans fat per serving is too much. So if you want to live longer and not die in you fifties or sixties, get rid of trans fat.