The final tip in our series on Cancer Prevention from

Limit saturated fat and trans fat

Saturated fats are found in animal-based foods, including beef, butter, lard, whole-milk dairy products (including regular yogurt, cheese, and ice cream), fried foods, fatty marbled meats (including hamburgers, hot dogs, salami, pastrami, and spareribs), and poultry skin.

Trans fats, developed to improve the shelf life of processed foods, are found in most stick margarines, some packaged baked goods and snack foods, fried foods, and fast food dishes that use or create hydrogenated oils. (All food labels must now list the amount of trans fats, right after the amount of saturated fats—good news for consumers.).

The role of saturated and trans fats in cancer is not entirely clear – but they’re generally bad for your health and should be dramatically limited by everyone. A few studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer… and we know that these unhealthy fats can increase levels of inflammation throughout the body, which may cause cellular damage over time. In addition, a healthy body means a healthy, cancer-fighting immune system.

As cities around the country ban trans fats, many people may wonder why they are so bad for you. The latest statistic I’ve found is shocking!

Even 1g trans fat daily increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%!

• Chicken Nuggets contain 4g of trans fat
• A Donut contain 5g trans fat

If you see trans fat on the ingredients – avoid it! Trans fats are items such as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

According to statement released on Thursday, Marriott hotels plans to cut trans fat oil out of its kitchens!

The world’s largest hotel company by revenue said it will no longer use partially hydrogenated oils across all its brands, which include Marriott, Courtyard, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn. Marriott has already cut the oils from breads, salad dressings, cookies, muffins and other pastries.

Additionally Omni Hotels released a seperate statement saying it plans to cut out trans fat by March 1.

And in somewhat more exciting news, McDonalds has recently selected a new trans-fat free cooking oil though the date they will begin using has not been released. Burger King has also announced they are testing new trans fat free oils for launch next year. Best of all, Wendy’s started using a trans fat free oil back in August 2006!

Although I think many of these restaurants are making the change based on the New York City law that restaurants be trans fat free by July 1, 2007, I still like seeing it. The law actually really bothers me since I think our governement is too big and unruly but THAT is a different topic altogether! From a healthy perspective it is nice to see trans fat free becoming more common!

Source: SF Gate.com, Marriott to Drop Trans Fats at Hotels