Effect of Trans Fatty Acids on HealthTrans fatty acids are naturally occurring in small amounts in meat and dairy products as a by-product of fermentation in ruminant animals and are also present in hydrogenated fats due to the effects of the process of hydrogenation. They are generally high in commercially produced baked goods, sweets and fried foods on account of the common practice of adding margarines and vegetable shortenings to these foods during processing. These shortenings may contain up to 34% trans fatty acids.
Trans Fatty Acids and Heart Disease Trans fatty acids have been associated with several adverse health effects. A high intake is correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This occurs in conjunction with unfavorable changes to the lipid profile involving an increase in LDL cholesterol levels relative to a similar consumption of the cis forms of fatty acids. They have also been shown to reduce HDL cholesterol levels at high intakes and to increase lipoprotein (a) and serum triglycerides. All of these alterations have been associated with an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, a recent study suggests that the effects on the lipid profile may only partially explain why trans fatty acids increase cardiovascular disease risk. In this study C-reactive protein was increased by up to 73% with a high intake of trans fatty acids and the levels of other inflammatory markers were also increased to a significant degree A likely means by which this may occur is by the competitive inhibition of the delta 6 desaturase enzyme by trans fatty acids and consequently an alteration in eicosanoid metabolism. These changes may be a mechanism by which endothelial damage occurs which is thought to be one of the factors involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. This could compound the effects of the modifications to the lipid profile, and may provide an explanation as to why the intake of trans fatty acids increases cardiovascular disease to a greater degree than would be expected based on the changes to the lipid profile.
Trans Fatty Acids and Increased Risk of Cancer In addition to the substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease, trans fatty acids have also been associated with and increased risk of breast and colon cancer. More recently an association has been identified between a high intake of trans fatty acids, specifically of C18 trans fatty acids and prostate cancer. Copyright © Mizpah Matus 2004 See Also: Mediterranean Diet Secrets - Proven Weightloss Secrets By Harvard University.
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