The trans fat vs saturated fat debate has long been an ongoing topic of discussion among health experts. But you must avoid them as much as possible in order to keep your health in good condition.

The common misconception about fats is that they are totally unhealthy and not needed by the body. But the truth is, our body requires a certain amount of fats in order to operate. Fat provides our body with energy to keep it going, and it also helps other chemicals in the absorption of vitamins.

So where does such negativity toward fat come from? When your doctors tell you to avoid fat, they are mostly right. But sometimes, they are only telling half the truth. Just like other nutrients, there are good and bad types of fat. The unhealthy ones are called trans and saturated fats. How are they different from other types of fat? And more importantly, how are they different from each other?

If there is one thing common about trans and saturated fats, it would be that they are prime catalysts for heart disease. Consuming them on every diet will lead to weight gain, which in turn will result to a host of heart-related diseases such as hypertension and heart burn. Although saturated fat is relatively mild as opposed to trans fat, you should avoid them like plague.

Nutritionists often delve into discussions about trans fat vs saturated fat. They have similarities just as they have differences. Trans fats are acids that are mainly found on hydrogenated oils. Food ingredients such as margarine and shortening are where trans fats are mostly present. This type of fat is not produced by our bodies. And it's also not derived from many foods. It is a product of the process that occurs during cooking when oils are transposed into solid ingredients that have long expiration date.

Saturated fats are mainly found on whole milk, butter, eggs, lard, and palm oil. They are also largely produced in our bodies just as they are produced by organic foods. This is the reason why we need regular exercise. Working out on a daily basis burns whatever high amounts of saturated fats our system produces.

Because trans fat is not a natural compound, it is way harmful than saturated fats. Trans fat leads to lower insulin, weak immune system, and heart disease. But avoid saturated fats just the same to safe guard your health against these deadly diseases.