Before we get started a note to all you parents out there! Through PTA associations, they have made school cafeterias stop serving foods containing hydrogenated oils to their children. If this has not been done in your school districts, as a concerned Mother, you should get with other mothers in your school districts and demand these changes. Your childrens health is at risk. Studies show when eliminated these oils many health problems, including diabetes type II and over weight are fixed. In case you are not aware, in 2005, a law was passed that any school receiving federal funds for school meals, ( 90% of all school receive federal funds for meals), must develop and implement a wellness and food policy before the 2006-2007 school year. This law is unique because it REQUIRES schools to INCLUDE parents in the process. Now is the time for all of you parents to spread the word and get involved. It's your right now under the law to demand good nutrition for your children at school. Contact your school Principal and ask to be put into the loop. Contact your local PTA Association as well and get others involved. Please get involved to make sure your children are eating healthy foods!

What are hydrogenated oils and what is the process?
The first patent for the hydrogenation process was in 1903 by William Norman. Then Proctor and Gamble came out with Crisco oil. Crisco was a combination of hydrogenated palm and cottonseed oil, mixed with lard and animal fats. People then were not purchasing it, so P&G started giving it away. Dr. Ellis working for a major oil company. He improved the process by separating certain fats for commercial use. In 1911, Mazola oil was introduced. In 1914, most of the companies removed any remaining animal fats in the oils they were producing and started using vegetable oils completely. Until this time, people were at least getting some essential naturally occurring fatty acids because of the animal fats.

During the process of hydrogenation, hydrogen atoms are moved to what is called the opposite side of the double bond of the molecular structure of the fatty acid in the oil.

This newly formed molecular configuration of the fatty acid, ( a changed carbon molecular structure of the fatty acid which the genetics of the body does not recognize) has been named "trans", meaning "on the other side of." Trans-fatty acids alter the normal transport of minerals and other nutrients across cell membranes. It weakens the protective structure and function of the cell. Hydrogenation gas is fused into the oils using a metal catalyst, aluminum, cobalt, and nickel. Without the metals, the hydrogen could not be fused into the oils. All are toxic metals to the body. This fusion takes place under pressure at temperatures of 248-410 degrees. Another words, the oils are changed molecularly. When you compare this changed essential fatty acid, which has now become a trans- fatty acid, it matches the same molecular structure of Stearic Acid.
One of the uses of Stearic Acid is in the making of candles. It makes candles hard. Could this have the same affect on the human body in the form of hardening of arteries? In addition, by hydrogenating oils, more volume is produced. It increases the volume of the oil thus making more available to sell. Final result, more profit. However, its' main purpose is to increase shelf life of products. It is a preservative, and a deadly one.

Heart disease is now claiming over 750,000 lives a year. The fusing of certain metals such as aluminum into the oils could very well be the reason why they are detecting high levels of aluminum in people. We all know about the link of aluminum to Alzehimers and cancer. We also know what lead poisoning does, especially to children.

Non radioactive cobalt, the kind used as a catalyst in these oils is a component of vitamin B12. Some studies suggest that too much of this type of cobalt can cause cell destruction and nerve disorders.
In addition, the fatty acids have been changed molecularly in which the body doesn't know how to properly metabolize them. Hypercholesteremia, (high cholesterol or triglycerides) is a early warning sign that you will develop hyperinsulinemia. This disease produces too much insulin. The insulin is not effective in reducing sugar in the blood.

According to the National Center For Health Statistics • In 1985, there were 36,969 deaths caused by diabetes. • In 1995, there were 59,085 deaths caused from diabetes. In ten years, this is 59.8 % increase, or roughly 6% per year. This increase of deaths caused from diabetes cannot be blamed on genetics. It can't be blamed because of people having bad genes. When you compare the substantial increases in the death rates today as to death rates before the introduction of hydrogenated oils in the food supply, anyone can very easily see the correlation. Nor does it have to do with newer diagnostic means or treatments of the disease. Deaths are deaths. Leading experts in the research of diabetes estimate that todays figures of diagnosed cases of diabetes are now hitting 20,000 cases per 100,000 population. In 1949, the criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes was changed because this new disease of insulin resistant diabetes had not yet been named. However, is it a true diabetes or a disease created by harmful oils?

New study, October 2002, from Malaysia shows without question that trans fatty acids significantly raises LDL cholesterol and significantly lowers the good HDL cholesterol, thereby increasing risk of coronary heart diease.

This is just some of David Lawrence Dewey article. I think from this you get the idea that these oils may not be what you want to be consuming in your diet. For more information you can type in David Dewey for his article.

Denise Basteiro is a Reiki Master and Teacher. She is also certified in Massage Therapy from Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado, a Certified Cranio-Sacral Therapist and Lymphatic Drainage Therapist.  She also practices iridology, and is currently taking her 3rd class in nutrition and organic gardening. Read Denise's Biography.