- Trans fats have been shown to cause insulin resistance, which contributes to elevated uric acid levels.
- Trans fats contribute to heart disease and obesity, two common risk factors for gout.
- Trans fats increase systemic inflammation, which is linked to gout.
What Exactly Are Trans Fats?
Trans fats have no place in a gout diet. They are man-made unnatural fats used to increase the shelf life of processed foods (and therefore the manufacturer’s profits). They are very bad for human health, and the FDA has finally agreed to ban them.
Trans fats are made by taking a liquid vegetable oil and adding hydrogen molecules to it, till the oil becomes more solid at room temperatures. Any oil that has been “hydrogenated” is a trans fat.
An effective gout diet will include healthy fats — not trans fats — which our bodies need to make prostaglandins. Among other functions, prostaglandins reduce inflammation, acting as a natural gout treatment.
Twisted Facts About Trans Fats
- In 2006, the FDA began requiring foods with labels to list the amount of trans fats, while foods without labels (like those at fast food restaurants) did not have to reveal their trans fats content.
- The 2006 FDA labeling law allows foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fats (even 0.49 grams) to state “0 Trans Fats” on the product package — even though it might not be true.
- To circumvent the 2006 labeling law, scientists turned to a substitute called “interesterified fat”, which is at least as bad for human health as trans fats — and maybe worse.
- Even though the FDA wants to eliminate trans fats completely, the American Heart Association still says it’s acceptable to consume up to 2 grams of trans fats per day. Keep in mind that some fast food meals contain as much as 30 grams of trans fats.
How to Avoid Trans Fats
As much as possible, eat meals you have prepared yourself using whole, real, unprocessed foods and ingredients.
At the grocery store, read labels carefully and do not buy any products that include the following words:
- “Hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” as part of any kind of oil (e.g., partially hydrogenated soybean oil).
- “Shortening” or “vegetable shortening”.
- “Trans fats” or “interesterified fats”.
☆ Bottom Line: Trans fats are terrible news for gout, and should be completely eliminated from your diet.