New York hopes to be the pioneer in helping Americans live and eat healthier by banning trans fats. Already, Philadelphia has followed suit in banning trans fats and now Michigan and Miami are debating similar new health legislation.

Trans fats that concern critics are artificially made and commonly found in stick margarine, frying and baking fats and shortenings. Artificial trans fats not only have no nutritional value, but also reduce HDL (the protective cholesterol), significantly raising the risk of clogged arteries and heart disease. Some studies show that trans fats could be responsible for a huge range of risks, from cancer to infertility and obesity. No wonder the world is up in arms about allowing trans fats in our food and food producers are urgently looking for alternative solid fats to replace trans fats in their products.

Palm oil, a semi solid fat is proving to be an excellent natural alternative for trans fats in many food formulations. Manufacturers, having long known the benefits of palm oil , have begun to increase its use in their formulations to lower trans fat content in their products.

There is also a patented fat formulation called Smart Balance, which combines unmodified and natural palm and soybean oils, creating a completely trans fat-free product that improves one’s cholesterol ratio and thus may reduce heart disease risk. This formula has been patented and the nutrition claim allowed on product labels sold throughout the USA. Such claims are additionally monitored by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Fat is a crucial part of human nutrition. With increased awareness and education the world will hopefully be able to return to eating healthy food that is more natural, less processed and most of all nutritious and well balanced. Palm oil will definitely feature strongly in such healthy natural foods.