Trans-Fats and Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

A large body of data from epidemiologic, clinical trial, animal, and in vitro studies demonstrate adverse consequences of industrially synthesized trans fatty acids (TFAs) on the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). A growing database of more recent research from virtually all experimental models demonstrates evidence of detrimental consequences of TFAs on the risk of diabetes. Evidence is accumulating about the physiological and cellular mechanisms of action that account for the many adverse effects TFAs have on CHD and diabetes. In a relatively short period of time (i.e., from around the early 1990s to the present time, or almost 20 years), we have gained a good understanding of the health effects of TFAs from epidemiologic studies, clinical trials/studies, animal research, and in vitro experiments that collectively justify current dietary recommendations made by numerous government agencies and health organizations to consume a diet with as little TFAs as possible. Public policy actions have been impl...