What are trans fats and processed foods? why are they bad for the body?

Clogs the arteries: Trans-fats are created to make oils more solid and keep their flavor or texture longer in processed foods. The unfortunate thing is that trans-fats cause bad cholesterol-related problems, and clog up arteries, leading to heart disease, artery disease, or strokes. In recent years, food processing companies have taken much of the trans-fats out of their foods (but replaced them with other fats).

More than one issue: Trans fats are more atherogenic than mono and poly unsaturated fats and predispose to heart attacks and stroke. Processed foods are often high in fat and salt and low in fiber. Such foods promote obesity and high blood pressure, both risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease: Meats have some transfats, but most are manmade. Transfats are made by hydrogenating oils, which turns them into solids (shortening). Transfats are used in processed foods b/c they last longer on shelf that way -- cookies/pie crusts/chips/popcorn/donuts/creamer/margarine. They raise LDL (bad) and lower HDL (good) cholesterol, which leads to heart disease. Saturated fats are just as bad!