Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Authors

  • M. S. Elisaf Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  • M. Georgoula Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  • T. D. Filippatos Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  • A. M. Liontos Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.02.2

Keywords:

Trans fatty acids, fatty acids, lipids, diet, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, hydrogenated oil.

Abstract

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are fatty acids that contain at least one double bond that is in the trans configuration. TFA are consumed mainly with industrial partially hydrogenated vegetable fats that are used in the production of margarines and “shortenings”. The consumption of ruminant TFA provide another source of TFA in European countries. TFA consumption generally increases total cholesterol and decreases high density lipoprotein cholesterol and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The results of some large-scale epidemiological studies suggest that the increased cardiovascular disease risk with the consumption of TFA is possibly greater than would be predicted from changes in plasma lipid levels alone. The experience from different countries shows that the elimination of TFA is a cost effective and feasible public health intervention. Based on the scientific evidence, the consumption of TFA should be further targeted aiming to further reduce of TFA in fast food products and the implementation of newer industrial methods that produce vegetable oils with lower (or even zero) amounts of TFA.

References

Eckel RH, Borra S, Lichtenstein AH, Yin-Piazza SY. Understanding the complexity of trans fatty acid reduction in the American diet: American Heart Association Trans Fat Conference 2006: report of the Trans Fat Conference Planning Group. Circulation 2007; 115: 2231-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.181947

Menaa F, Menaa A, Menaa B, Treton J. Trans-fatty acids, dangerous bonds for health? A background review paper of their use, consumption, health implications and regulation in France. Eur J Nutr 2013; 52: 1289-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0484-4

Precht D, Molkentin J. Recent trends in the fatty acid composition of German sunflower margarines, shortenings and cooking fats with emphasis on individual C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3 and C20:1 trans isomers. Nahrung 2000; 44: 222-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1521-3803(20000701)44:4<222::AID-FOOD222>3.0.CO;2-9

Sommerfeld M. Trans unsaturated fatty acids in natural products and processed foods. Prog Lipid Res 1983; 22: 221-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0163-7827(83)90010-3

Precht D. Variation of trans fatty acids in milk fats. Z Ernahrungswiss 1995; 34: 27-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01612782

Sebedio JL, Grandgirard A, Prevost J. Linoleic acid isomers in heat treated sunflower oils. J Am Oil Chem Soc 1988; 65: 362-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02663077

Mozaffarian D, Clarke R. Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr 2009; 63 Suppl 2: S22-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602976

Clarke R, Frost C, Collins R, Appleby P, Peto R. Dietary lipids and blood cholesterol: quantitative meta-analysis of metabolic ward studies. BMJ 1997; 314: 112-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.314.7074.112

Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 2006; 354: 1601-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra054035

Ascherio A, Katan MB, Zock PL, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Trans fatty acids and coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med 1999; 340: 1994-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199906243402511

Booker CS, Mann JI. Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular health: translation of the evidence base. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2008; 18: 448-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2008.02.005

Mensink RP, Katan MB. Effect of dietary trans fatty acids on high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy subjects. N Engl J Med 1990; 323: 439-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199008163230703

Clevidence BA, Judd JT, Schaefer EJ et al. Plasma lipoprotein (a) levels in men and women consuming diets enriched in saturated, cis-, or trans-monounsaturated fatty acids. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1997; 17: 1657-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.17.9.1657

Lichtenstein AH, Ausman LM, Carrasco W, Jenner JL, Ordovas JM, Schaefer EJ. Hydrogenation impairs the hypolipidemic effect of corn oil in humans. Hydrogenation, trans fatty acids, and plasma lipids. Arterioscler Thromb 1993; 13: 154-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.13.2.154

Zock PL, Katan MB. Hydrogenation alternatives: effects of trans fatty acids and stearic acid versus linoleic acid on serum lipids and lipoproteins in humans. J Lipid Res 1992; 33: 399-410.

Sundram K, Ismail A, Hayes KC, Jeyamalar R, Pathmanathan R. Trans (elaidic) fatty acids adversely affect the lipoprotein profile relative to specific saturated fatty acids in humans. J Nutr 1997; 127: 514S-20S.

Judd JT, Clevidence BA, Muesing RA, Wittes J, Sunkin ME, Podczasy JJ. Dietary trans fatty acids: effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of healthy men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 1994; 59: 861-8.

Lichtenstein AH, Ausman LM, Jalbert SM, Schaefer EJ. Effects of different forms of dietary hydrogenated fats on serum lipoprotein cholesterol levels. N Engl J Med 1999; 340: 1933-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199906243402501

Mensink RP, Zock PL, Kester AD, Katan MB. Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apolipoproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 77: 1146-55.

Tanaka F, Makita S, Onoda T et al. Predictive value of lipoprotein indices for residual risk of acute myocardial infarction and sudden death in men with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels <120 mg/dl. Am J Cardiol 2013; 112: 1063-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.049

Hayashi K, Hirata Y, Kurushima H et al. Effect of dietary hydrogenated corn oil (trans-octadecenoate rich oil) on plasma and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in the hamster. Atherosclerosis 1993; 99: 97-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0021-9150(93)90055-Y

Mozaffarian D. Trans fatty acids - effects on systemic inflammation and endothelial function. Atheroscler Suppl 2006; 7: 29-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosissup.2006.04.007

Mohammadifard N, Nazem M, Naderi GA et al. Effect of hydrogenated, liquid and ghee oils on serum lipids profile. ARYA Atheroscler 2010; 6: 16-22.

Micha R, Mozaffarian D. Trans fatty acids: effects on cardiometabolic health and implications for policy. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2008; 79: 147-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2008.09.008

Oomen CM, Ocke MC, Feskens EJ, van Erp-Baart MA, Kok FJ, Kromhout D. Association between trans fatty acid intake and 10-year risk of coronary heart disease in the Zutphen Elderly Study: a prospective population-based study. Lancet 2001; 357: 746-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04166-0

Kromhout D, Menotti A, Bloemberg B et al. Dietary saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease: the Seven Countries Study. Prev Med 1995; 24: 308-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1995.1049

Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE et al. Dietary fat intake and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. N Engl J Med 1997; 337: 1491-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199711203372102

Bhardwaj S, Passi SJ, Misra A. Overview of trans fatty acids: biochemistry and health effects. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2011; 5: 161-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2012.03.002

Hulshof KF, van Erp-Baart MA, Anttolainen M et al. Intake of fatty acids in western Europe with emphasis on trans fatty acids: the TRANSFAIR Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999; 53: 143-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600692

Gebauer SK, Chardigny JM, Jakobsen MU et al. Effects of ruminant trans fatty acids on cardiovascular disease and cancer: a comprehensive review of epidemiological, clinical, and mechanistic studies. Adv Nutr 2011; 2: 332-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/an.111.000521

Willett W, Mozaffarian D. Ruminant or industrial sources of trans fatty acids: public health issue or food label skirmish? Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87: 515-6.

Baer DJ. What do we really know about the health effects of natural sources of trans fatty acids? Am J Clin Nutr 2012; 95: 267-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.031096

Brouwer IA, Wanders AJ, Katan MB. Effect of animal and industrial trans fatty acids on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels in humans--a quantitative review. PLoS One 2010; 5: e9434.

Dhaka V, Gulia N, Ahlawat KS, Khatkar BS. Trans fats-sources, health risks and alternative approach - A review. J Food Sci Technol 2011; 48: 534-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13197-010-0225-8

Food and Drug Administration. Questions and answers regarding Trans Fat. http://www.fda.gov/Food/PopularTopics/ ucm373922.htm. Accessed at 8-4-14.

World Health Organization. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases: report of a joint WHO/FAO expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series No. 916. Geneva. 2003:

US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, Health Claims; Small Entity Compliance Guide. http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/labelingnutrition/ucm053479.htm. Accessed at 20-5-14.

Downloads

Published

2014-06-16

How to Cite

Elisaf, M. S., Georgoula, M., Filippatos, T. D., & Liontos, A. M. (2014). Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics, 3(2), 47–49. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.02.2

Issue

Section

Articles