(Circulation. 1997;95:2588.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articles |
Trans Fatty Acids, Plasma Lipid Levels, and Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease
A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
Key Words: AHA Medical/Scientific Statements • fatty acids • lipids • risk factors • coronary disease
An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract. |
Dietary guidelines for the general population and individuals with hyperlipidemia specify upper limits for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake.1 2 The term trans fatty acids does not appear in dietary guidelines or on nutrient labels; however, it appears frequently in the scientific and lay press. Current issues of controversy are whether trans fatty acids should be listed on nutrient labels and whether this is the appropriate time to issue public health guidelines with respect to intake.
What Are Trans Fatty Acids and Where Do They Come From?
Trans fatty acids contain at least one double bond in the trans configuration. The carbon/carbon double bonds of fatty acids can exist in either the cis or trans configuration. When the two hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond, the configuration is termed trans; when the two hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond, the configuration is termed cis. Lack of rotational mobility precludes interconversion of configurations under normal circumstances. The bond angle is larger for a trans than a cis double bond. Therefore, the presence of a trans, relative to a cis, double bond results in acyl chains that can pack together more tightly.
Trans double bonds occur in nature as such. They are the
result of anaerobic bacterial fermentation in ruminant
animals and are thereby introduced into the food chain.3
Humans consume them in the form of meat and dairy products.
Trans double bonds are also formed during the hydrogenation
of either vegetable or fish oils. Oils are hydrogenated to
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