Consumption Of Trans Fatty Acids Research Articles

Junk food revolution or the cola colonization

In ancient times, the main problem was to get food. Nowadays the difficulty is to decide for or against some foodstuff. In industrialized countries, this abundance led to the fact that people eat differently from what they should. Traditional populations were subject to periods of feast and famine. Those with a metabolism which stored energy with high energetic efficiency had a survival advantage. This is called the 'thrifty' genotype hypothesis. With the secured supply of calories, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, the thrifty genotype becomes disadvantageous, causing obesity. Industrialization or 'cola-colonization' also leads to a dramatic increase in obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in developing countries. The spread of fast food restaurants all over the world has changed modern nutrition fundamentally. Influence begins early in childhood. Advertising concentrates on the selling of image over substance. However, fast food contains high levels of fat, especially trans fatty acids. Higher consumption of trans fatty acids was associated with a higher incidence of and mortality from coronary heart disease.

Determination of trans fatty acids and fatty acid profiles in margarines marketed in spain

AbstractTwo gas chromatography (GC) procedures were compared for routine analysis of trans fatty acids (TFA) of vegetable margarines, one direct with a 100‐m high‐polarity column and the other using argentation thin‐layer chromatography and GC. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the total trans 18∶1 percentage of margarines with a medium level of TFA (∼18%) made using either of the procedures. Both methods offer good repeatability for determination of total trans 18∶1 percentage. The recoveries of total trans isomers of 18∶1 were not influenced (P>0.1) by the method used. Fatty acid composition of 12 Spanish margarines was determined by the direct GC method. The total contents of trans isomers of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids ranged from 0.15 to 20.21, from 0.24 to 0.99, and from 0 to 0.47%, respectively, and the mean values were 8.18, 0.49, and 0.21%. The mean values for the ratios [cis‐polyunsaturated/(saturated +TFA)] and [(cis‐polyunsaturated + cis‐monounsaturated)/(saturated +TFA)] were 1.25±0.39 and 1.92±0.43, respectively. Taking into account the annual per capita consumption of vegetable margarine, the mean fat content of the margarines (63.5%), and the mean total TFA content (8.87%), the daily per capita consumption of TFA from vegetable margarines by Spaniards was estimated at about 0.2 g/person/d.

Health effects of trans fatty acids

trans Fatty acids are formed during the process of partial hydrogenation in which liquid vegetable oils are converted to margarine and vegetable shortening. Concern has existed that this process may have adverse consequences because natural essential fatty acids are destroyed and the new artificial isomers are structurally similar to saturated fats, lack the essential metabolic activity of the parent compounds, and inhibit the enzymatic desaturation of linoleic and linolenic acid. In the past 5 y a series of metabolic studies has provided unequivocal evidence that trans fatty acids increase plasma concentrations of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce concentrations of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol relative to the parent natural fat. In these same studies, trans fatty acids increased the plasma ratio of total to HDL cholesterol nearly twofold compared with saturated fats. On the basis of these metabolic effects and the known relation of blood lipid concentrations to risk of coronary artery disease, we estimate conservatively that 30,000 premature deaths/y in the United States are attributable to consumption of trans fatty acids. Epidemiologic studies, although not conclusive on their own, are consistent with adverse effects of this magnitude or even larger. Because there are no known nutritional benefits of trans fatty acids and clear adverse metabolic consequences exist, prudent public policy would dictate that their consumption be minimized and that information on the trans fatty acid content of foods be available to consumers.

Transfatty acids (TFAs) in cord blood of newborn infants and their concentration in mother's adipose tissue reflecting TFA consumption in France.† 1357

Recent studies suggests that dietary TFAs at relative high levels increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Another adverse effect of dietary TFAs is the suppression of the metabolism of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and consequently the increased requirement for essential fatty acid (EFA). Exposure to TFAs during the fetal life may impair the growth of newborns babies. The aim of this study was to verify if circulating levels of TFA in foetuses are the reflection of TFA consumption in France. We measured by Capillary Gaz Chromatogaphy (CPsil 88-50mx0,25) all TFA isomers in plasma cord blood (PCB, n=15) or adipose tissue (AT) of pregnant women (PW, n=16) vs non-pregnant women (NPW, n=14).TFA deposition in adipose tissue was not affected by pregnancy, suggesting that consumption remains unchanged during gravide state. Because TFAs cannot be synthesized by human tissues, our results confirm the placental transfer of TFAs to foetuses. This is supported by the lower PCB-TFAs (0.75% vs 1.66%) founded our study compared with others reporting higher TFA consumption. TFA consumption remains a potential risk for the foetus since, even at a low consumption level, we demonstrated TFA placental transfer, particularly for oleic and linoleic acids' transisomers.Table

Margarine intake and subsequent coronary heart disease in men.

Margarine is a major source of trans fatty acids, the intake of which has risen since the early 20th century. Some data indicate that consumption of trans fatty acids increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In 1966-1969, 832 men from the Framingham Study, age 45-64 years and free of CHD, were administered a single 24-hour dietary recall, from which we estimated total daily margarine intake. We calculated CHD cumulative incidence rates and, using proportional hazards regression, CHD incidence rate ratios over 21 years of follow-up. Mean energy intake was 2,619 kcal; mean margarine intake was 1.8 (range 0-12) tsp per day. There were 267 incident cases of CHD. Age-adjusted CHD cumulative incidence rose over categories of margarine intake, but the increased risk was apparent only in the second half of the follow-up period. Adjusted for age and energy intake, the risk ratio for CHD for each increment of 1 teaspoon per day of margarine was 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91-1.05] for the first 10 years of follow-up and 1.10 (95% CI = 1.04-1.17) for follow-up years 11-21. Adjustment for total fat intake and for cigarette smoking, glucose intolerance, left ventricular hypertrophy, body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, and alcohol intake did not materially change the results. Butter intake did not predict CHD incidence. These data offer modest support to the hypothesis that margarine intake increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Position paper on trans fatty acids. ASCN/AIN Task Force on Trans Fatty Acids. American Society for Clinical Nutrition and American Institute of Nutrition

This report addresses the current controversy about possible health hazards of dietary trans fatty acid isomers, which are created during hydrogenation of unsaturated fats to change their textural properties and melting points. Estimates of intakes are approximations based on limited data and problematic analytic techniques. Major contributors in the diet are fried and baked foods and margarine, in which partially hydrogenated vegetable oils may replace fat sources richer in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Consumption of trans fatty acids in the United States has been relatively constant, and new food technologies are yielding decreases in the trans fatty acid content of commercially prepared foods. When intake of trans fatty acids (as hydrogenated fat) is compared with that of saturated fat, total and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations in blood are lower, but both trans fats and saturated fats increase total and LDL concentrations when compared with cis fatty acids or native unhydrogenated fat. Epidemiologic data are conflicting with respect to cardiovascular disease outcomes. We cannot conclude that the intake of trans fatty acids is a risk factor for coronary heart disease nor can we expect that substituting trans- for cis-containing fats will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Few rigorous studies have dealt with biomedical effects of trans fatty acids and possible mechanisms relevant to human health and diseases. The nutrition labeling issue is unresolved. The options, recommendations, and research suggestions in this report should outline for nutrition scientists the database needed before any new dietary recommendations or changes in nutrition policy concerning trans fatty acids can be made. The debate about trans fatty acids should not detract from dietary recommendations to limit the intake of saturated fat and total fat.

Consumption and metabolism of dietary trans fatty acids

Lipid / FettVolume 98, Issue 1 p. 34-36 Forschungsbeiträge/Research Paper Consumption and metabolism of dietary trans fatty acids Dr. H. Steinhart, Dr. H. Steinhart Institute of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 HamburgSearch for more papers by this authorDr. A. Pfalzgraf, Dr. A. Pfalzgraf Institute of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 HamburgSearch for more papers by this author Dr. H. Steinhart, Dr. H. Steinhart Institute of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 HamburgSearch for more papers by this authorDr. A. Pfalzgraf, Dr. A. Pfalzgraf Institute of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 HamburgSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1996 https://doi.org/10.1002/lipi.19960980111Citations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume98, Issue11996Pages 34-36 RelatedInformation

The influence of trans fatty acids on health: a report from the Danish Nutrition Council.

Trans fatty acids constitute 0-30% of the fat in Danish margarines, most in industry and bakery margarines and usually less in table margarine. The trans fatty acids make margarines more solid at room temperature and therefore provide an economical storage advantage. In British and U.S. reports from 1984-1989, the trans fatty acids were more or less acquitted of unhealthy effects. During the last 5-6 years, however, a series of new studies has been published regarding both the connection between the consumption of trans fatty acids and the occurrence of coronary heart disease and the impact on the lipoprotein level in plasma. Studies suggest that the consumption of trans fatty acids from margarine is equally, or perhaps more, responsible for the development of arteriosclerosis than saturated fatty acids. In addition, it is now clear that both the fetus and the breast-fed baby are exposed to trans fatty acids in relation to the mother's consumption. A couple of recent studies suggest a possible restrictive influence of the trans fatty acids on the weight of the fetus. The average consumption of trans fatty acids from margarine in Denmark in 1991 was approximately 2.5 g/day per person. For about 150,000 adult Danes, the consumption is assumed to be more than 5 g/day per person. On this basis, the Danish Nutrition Council recommend that the consumption of trans fatty acids is reduced as much as possible. This can be done by reducing the fat content in food and by reducing the trans fatty acid content in all Danish margarine products to 5% or less. Thereafter, the group of adult Danes, including pregnant and breast-feeding women, with a large consumption of margarine and margarine-containing products, will on average only consume 2 g of vegetable trans fatty acids/day. This corresponds to the consumption in the low-risk groups in the above-mentioned epidemiological studies. In addition, the Danish Nutrition Council encourage the producers of margarines to make products that can be marketed as 'free of trans fatty acids'.

Trans fatty acids in infantile nutrition

Trans fatty acids arise from hydrogenation in vivo and in vitro. Estimates of dietary intake of trans acids are available from a few countries and show an enormous variation from one population group to another and even within one food type. The impact of trans fatty acid consumption on cell membrane composition, growth and development, risk of cardiovascular disease, and occurrence of cancer is not clear. Published data have several inconsistencies and are open to different interpretation. Given the complexity of the situation, it is prudent to avoid making sweeping recommendations until more specific data are available. However, large intakes of trans fatty acids should be avoided.

Intake of trans-isomeric fatty acids--an evaluation on the basis of data of the national consumption study in 1991

The intake of trans octadecenoic acids is estimated by a national consumption assay. The daily intake in West Germany differs between 3.4 g for women and 4.1 g for men. The consumption of trans fatty acids decreased in the last years, due to the progress in food technology and changes in nutritional habits. The main sources of trans fatty acids are partially hydrogenated vegetable fats just as well as ruminant and dairy fats.

Trans fatty acids may impair biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturates and growth in man.

Human diet contains large amounts of trans fatty acids originating primarily from hydrogenated fats. Consumption of trans fatty acids is considered safe for man, but side effects, including impaired biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with 20 and 22 carbon atoms and reduced growth have been observed in animals. We studied whether or not there are indications of untoward effects of trans fatty acids in 29 premature infants (birth weight 1700 +/- 127 g, gestational age 33.6 +/- 1.4 weeks, mean +/- SD). Plasma samples obtained on day 4 of life were analysed for fatty acid composition. Trans octadecenoic acid and total trans fatty acids in plasma lipid fractions (% wt/wt) were not related to the precursor essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids but correlated inversely to n - 3 and n - 6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and to the product/substrate ratios of long-chain polyunsaturate biosynthesis. Trans fatty acids were also inversely correlated to birth weight but not to gestational age. These data indicate a potential impairment of essential fatty acid metabolism and early growth by trans isomers in man, and question the safety of high dietary trans isomer intakes during pregnancy and the perinatal period.

Zufuhr, Stoffwechsel und biologische Wirkungen trans‐isomerer Fettsäuren bei Säuglingen

Consumption of trans-fatty acids increased markedly during this century due to the widespread use of partially hydrogenated fats. A sensitive analytical method was developed which enables the precise determination of 7 trans-isomers in small sample volumes. With this method we documented the materno-fetal transfer of trans-fatty acids across the human placenta. The content in human milk depends on maternal diet and is lower in Germany than in the Sudan. The distribution in fore- and hind-milk, in milk fat fractions and within the triglyceride molecule was determined. The content of trans-fatty acids is lower in commercial and home-made infant formulae than in human milk, although there is a certain batch to batch variation in formulae. Infants absorb dietary trans-isomers and incorporate them into endogenous lipids, subcutaneous tissue and cell membranes. Trans-fatty acids in plasma lipids are significantly higher in infants fed human milk than in those fed formulae. African children have a lower exposure than Germans. The relative contribution of trans-octadecenoic acid is lower in plasma sterol esters than in triglycerides and phospholipids, pointing to a negative selectivity of plasmatic cholesterol esterification with this fatty acid. Thus, a high supply of trans-octadecenoic acid might have negative effects on the cholesterol levels. In premature infants we found an inverse correlation between trans-fatty acid exposure and birthweight, thus interference with intrauterine growth appears possible. A possible causative factor could be impaired biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by trans-isomers, for which we found strong indications. The results of our investigations the question whether the consumption of trans-fatty acids in pregnant and lactating women and in infants is nutritionally safe.

Trans fatty acids. 1. Growth, fertility, organ weights and nerve histology and conduction velocity in sows and offspring

Effects of dietary trans fatty acids on the pre- and postnatal growth and development in pigs were studied with special emphasis on nervous tissue. In experiment 1, female pigs were fed partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO) (28% trans) or soybean oil (PHSBO) (36% trans), in comparison with lard (0% trans) from weaning (3 wk) through the first reproduction cycle (up to 2 yr). In experiment 2, female pigs were fed two fish oils (33 and 19% trans) in comparison with coconut oil (0% trans) in diets with low and high levels of linoleic acid (18:2n-6 cis, cis) from gestation until their offspring were three wk old. Compared with the trans-free fats, the trans-containing fats had no effect on growth and development, feed consumption and utilization or on the weight of the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs or spleen in the adult sows and their offspring. No effects from the experimental fats were found on histology and conduction velocity of the peroneal nerve. An increased number of the sows fed PHFO had fertility problems compared with those fed lard and PHSBO in Expt. 1, but no similar effects were seen in Expt. 2. It is concluded that consumption of trans fatty acids with 18-22 carbon atoms from PHFO and with 18 carbon atoms from PHSBO at levels that were 5 to 12 times higher than those normally consumed by humans had no detrimental effects on female pigs or their offspring during pregnancy and lactation.

Fat in the diets of adolescent girls with emphasis on isomeric fatty acids

To determine the amount of isomeric fatty acids in the diets of a segment of the American population, daily food intake was collected, using the duplicate portion method, from eight healthy white adolescent girls for 7 days. The fifty-six diets were analyzed for fatty acids by gasliquid chromatography. The amount of trans isomers of octadecenoic acid (18:1t) in the diets of the eight girls ranged from 3.5 to 8.2% of total fatty acids with an average of 5.3%. Other trans fatty acids included trans isomers of 14:1 and 16:1, and cis, trans and trans, cis isomers of 18:2. No measurable amounts of trans, trans octadecadienoic acid (18:2tt) were found in the diets of the girls. The total trans fatty acid content of the diets averaged 6.5% of total fatty acids. The daily consumption of total trans fatty acids by the eight girls over a 1 wk period averaged 3.1 g, with 2.6 g of this being 18: 1t.

Dietary Trilinoelaidate: Effects on Metabolic Parameters Related to EFA Metabolism in Rats

To study the effects of dietary trilinoelaidate (tt18:2) on metabolic parameters, as they relate to essential fatty acid metabolism, a diet containing “adequate” linoleic acid with incremental isocaloric tt18:2 supplementation was formulated. This diet was fed to rats for 11 weeks and oxygen (O2) consumption, insensible water loss (IWL), growth parameters and liver fatty acid composition evaluated at specified time intervals. The results showed that while an essential fatty acid deficient diet (hydrogenated tallow) increased IWL and decreased body weight gains, O2 consumption remained unaltered. Dietary tt18:2, while accumulating in liver lipids, and apparently inhibiting Δ6 desaturase, as evidenced by 18:2/20:4 ratios, did not alter O2 consumption or IWL. At the highest level of tt18:2 fed (2.5 weight percent of dietary fat) there was a noticeable decrease in body weight gains by the 11th week; organ weights, however, were not affected. While the increased consumption of dietary trans fatty acids has raised questions regarding their potential biologically detrimental effects, the present study indicated that gross metabolic alterations related to classical essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms are not precipitated in the rat by tt18:2 levels comparable to those consumed in a normal human diet.trilinoelaidate oxygen consumption insensible water loss

Trans fatty acids - A risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are produced either by hydrogenation of unsaturated oils or by biohydrogenation in the stomach of ruminant animals. Vanaspati ghee and margarine have high contents of TFA. A number of studies have shown an association of TFA consumption and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This increased risk is because TFA increase the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization have come up with the recommendation that the contents of TFA in human dietary fat should be reduced to less than 4%. There is high prevalence of CVD in Pakistan. High consumption of vanaspati ghee which contains 14.2-34.3% of TFA could be one of the factors for this increased burden of CVD in Pakistan. Consumption of dietary fat low in TFA would be helpful in reducing the risk of CVD in South Asia. Denmark by banning the sale of food items with TFA has brought down the number of deaths due to coronary heart disease by nearly 50% over a period of 20 years. Public awareness about the adverse effects of TFA on human health would be extremely important. Media can play a very effective role in educating the masses and advocating the policy for the sale of only low TFA food items. Literature sources: Google and US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health were the sources of papers cited in this review article.