We all know about the harmful effects of trans fatty acids now. Medical experts say there is no safe level of trans fatty acid intake.

Therefore, finding alternatives to trans fatty acids is in the best interest of your health and well-being.

The problem with trans fatty acids is that they aren't natural at all. They are basically artificially created and therefore they are alien to our bodies, which cannot metabolize them.

The first thing you need to do is to avoid any and all trans fatty acids to the best of your ability.

The way to do this is to read labels. The rule of thumb is simply this: if you see "partially hydrogenated" on the label anywhere, then it contains trans fatty acids. It can be partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn oil, or anything....just put it back on the shelf.

Another thing to be aware of is that by law, foods can say "no trans fats" or "trans fat free" on the label, yet contain some trans fat in them! This is very strange, but true. It has to contain less than a certain level of trans fat and then it can claim "trans fat free" even though the product may actually contain some trans fat!

That's why you should read the label and make sure you don't see anything in the ingredients list that says "partially hydrogenated". That's the best way to tell.

Alternatives to Trans Fatty Acids

So, if you want to avoid the health disaster that trans fatty acids represent, what should you eat?

The answer is simple: natural fats!

Our bodies were designed to metabolize natural fats. The media has gotten it all wrong for years to the detriment of millions of people's health. You have been told fats are bad, but that's not true.

Fats are vital for good health. As long as they are natural fats.

Even saturated fats are important for your health. It's true! Your body was designed to metabolize saturated fats and you need a certain amount for good health.

Some of the most important fats you need -- and they should make up a part of your alternatives to trans fatty acids diet -- are omega 3 fatty acids.

The best source of omega 3 fatty acids are fish.

In particular, fish oil supplements would be the ideal source rather than eating fish, because most fish now harbor contaminants due to pollution that exists in water sources.

Fish oil supplements give you important omega 3 fatty acids without the pollution if they are purified, because a process called molecular distillation removes the pollutants, leaving only the oil rich in omega 3 fats.

No less an authority than the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration have made positive remarks about omega 3 fatty acids.

Other good alternatives to trans fatty acids that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids include: flax seed oil, nuts (like almonds), and leafy greens, like spinach.