Consuming a healthy and balanced diet can sometimes be a challenge, which is why some people choose to use nutritional supplements to ensure they get the vitamins and nutrients they need.

Now, America’s largest association of doctors has spoken out about the need to ban trans fats from the country’s menus.

Trans fats are artificial fats formed by adding hydrogen to vegetables oil. The food industry uses hydrogenation to give products a longer shelf life and a reduce costs.

However, in recent years some major studies have drawn attention to the potential negative health consequences of a poor diet filled with trans fats, such as higher cholesterol and heart disease.

“By replacing artificial trans fats with healthier alternatives, like extra virgin olive oil, we could prevent approximately 30,000 to 100,000 premature deaths each year,” suggested American Medical Association board member Dr. Mary Ann McCaffree.

The AMA is calling for a nationwide ban of trans fats from foods served at restaurants and bakeries.

Vegetables shortenings, margarines, crackers, cookies and fast foods are some of the most common sources of trans fats.