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Michael Dansinger, MD, Division of Endocrinology at Tufts-New England Medical Center, Outlines Health Risks
New York, NY (December 18, 2006) - In the United States, elimination of partially hydrogenated fats could reduce the heart disease rate by 10 to 20%, and it is up to the American public to advocate for their elimination, according to Michael Dansinger, MD, Division of Endocrinology, Tufts-New England Medical Center. He shares his views in a timely address to healthcare professionals in a web-video editorial in Medscape General Medicine (MedGenMed) on Medscape from WebMD. Dr. Dansinger is also Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Section Editor for MedGenMed.
In his editorial, accessible today at http://medgenmed.com/viewarticle/549000, Dr. Dansinger explains that the average daily intake of 5 grams a day of partially hydrogenated fats, known as trans fats, increases the risk of heart disease by approximately 25%. Denmark banned these commercial fats in 2004 with no adverse effect on taste or price of affected food, including fast food and pastries, according to Dr. Dansinger. As a responsible society, Americans must advocate for their children and themselves by taking control of this public health problem, he said.
"Dr. Dansinger provides an important and timely perspective on the adverse effects of partially hydrogenated fats on our health in today's MedGenMed. Dr. Dansinger's discussion of the role that society can play in influencing change and adopting healthier alternatives to trans fats is particularly timely in light of recent local initiatives including New York City's decision to ban restaurants from using these artificial fats," said George D. Lundberg, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, MedGenMed.
Medscape General Medicine (www.MedGenMed.com) is the original open access peer-reviewed general medical journal and is published by Medscape from WebMD (www.medscape.com), the leading professional medical information site. Articles submitted to MedGenMed are submitted to peer review and accepted articles are rapidly published free of charge online and also appear in Medline. Published articles are immediately available to a large audience of physicians and other healthcare professionals, patients, consumers, policymakers and the news media.
To request an interview with Dr. Dansinger, please contact Tufts-New England Medical Center Communications at 617-636-0200. For information about Medscape General Medicine or to request an interview with Dr. Lundberg, please contact MacLean Guthrie at 212-624-3760 or macguthrie@webmd.net.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of WebMD, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
Contact:
MacLean Guthrie
212-624-3760
macguthrie@webmd.net
