Medical Reports: HEALTHCAST: Trans Fats

WSVN -- Trans fats are found everywhere, from the crust at the local pizzeria to high end restaurants that serve breads, pastries and desserts.

Foods that are fried or baked often include partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, a common form of trans fat.

It's estimated the average American consumes 6 grams of trans fat a day, or almost 5 pounds a year.

Dr. Robert Eckel: "We're eating about 2 to 3 times as much American Heart Association trans fat that is recommended."

While trans fat might make your food taste better and last longer, experts say it is unhealthy.

Dr. Robert Eckel: "Saturated fats and trans fats tend to American Heart Association raise the bad cholesterol and we certainly know people with higher levels of bad cholesterol appear to have more heart disease and stroke."

Doctors claim there are 50 thousand premature deaths each year linked to eating trans fat.

As trans fat is removed from the cooking process, it's being replaced by other healthier oils like canola and safflower.

Consumers are urged to read food labels and buy products that are trans fat free.