Elaidic acid is the major trans fat found in hydrogenated vegetable oils. Trans fats are artificially modified vegetable oils once common in fried and processed foods. Created by a process called partial hydrogenation, trans fats are even worse for our health than saturated fats. There are small amounts of natural trans fats in meat and dairy foods; however, most trans fats can be avoided by reading food labels. The good news is that these `bad` fats are rapidly disappearing, even from foods once loaded with them.

`Trans` refers to the arrangement of carbon atoms that results in a straight chain. Trans fats are not easily metabolized and can significantly increase the risk of heart attack.

In this model, carbon atoms are dark gray, hydrogen atoms are white and oxygen atoms are red.

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