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Do high dietary intakes of trans fats really promote cardiovascular disease?
November 18, 1999From his assessment of the studies, Dr John Stanley says the conclusion that trans fatty acids promote cardiovascular disease is premature for the following reasons.
First, although prospective cohort studies show an association with cardiovascular disease, trans fatty acids are estimated rather than measured. They may also be markers for some other nutrient that affects cardiovascular disease risk.
Second, although many intervention trials seem to show a detrimental effect of trans fatty acids on the blood lipid profile, much depends on the comparison used. When trans fatty acids are compared with oleic acid, total and LDL-cholesterol levels (so-called "bad" cholesterol) are higher; when they are compared with palmitic acid they are lower; and when they are compared with stearic acid they are the same. To be set against this argument is the finding that HDL-cholesterol levels ("good" cholesterol) are lower regardless of the comparison. LDL/HDL ratios are sometimes calculated to allow for this. However, the validity of this ratio remains to be established. Many intervention trials have studied unrealistic intakes of trans fatty acids.
Third, partially-hydrogenated fish oil is worse for the blood lipid profile than partially-hydrogenated soybean oil. Clearly, some products of hydrogenation are worse than others.
Finally, when tested as part of a real food such as a fat spread, the detrimental effects of trans fatty acids can be more than compensated for by the other fatty acids present in the food. However, this should not discourage us from trying to optimize the fatty acid composition of a food.
In many ways these reservations reflect the difficulty of designing human nutritional trials which generate clear-cut answers. For example, given the numbers of subjects involved in epidemiological studies and their duration some sympathy can be felt for investigators obliged to estimate rather than measure nutrient intakes. However, the defects in these studies should encourage us to be cautious in drawing conclusions about health effects of trans fatty acids.
PJ Barnes & Associates
Cholesterol Current Events and Cholesterol News RSSRecommendations for children's exercise lacking say experts
Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, UK, have carried out research that suggests the one hour of moderate exercise a day recommended to children from health experts may not be enough to tackle the rising problem of childhood obesity.
Statins may prevent miscarriages
Hospital for Special Surgery researchers have found that statins may be able to prevent miscarriages in women who are suffering from pregnancy complications caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), according to a study in mice.
New devices used to reduce arterial occlusions, provide cardiac support, highlighted at TCT 2008
Research results highlighting three new devices used to reduce blockages in peripheral and coronary arteries and to provide cardiac support will be presented at the 20th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
A low-cholesterol diet leaves a bitter taste in the gut
One role for the proteins on the tongue that sense bitter tasting substances, type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs), is to limit ingestion of these substances, as a large number of natural bitter compounds are known to be toxic.
Clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect
A novel enzyme may play a major role in anencephaly, offering hope for a genetic test or even therapy for the rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop, according to a study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.
Metabolic syndrome ups colorectal cancer risk
In a large U.S. population-based study presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, metabolic syndrome patients had a 75 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those without metabolic syndrome.
Scientists discover why a mother's high-fat diet contributes to obesity in her children
New research published online in The FASEB Journal suggests that pregnant women should think twice about high-fat foods.
LIAI launches new division to look at novel approaches to heart disease and inflammation
While cholesterol-lowering drugs and new technologies have significantly advanced the nation's battle against heart disease, it continues to rank as the No. 1 killer of U.S. men and women. But if researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology (LIAI) have their way, the body's immune system will become an important player in reducing heart disease.
Researchers study how pistachios may improve heart health
Going green may be heart healthy if the green you choose is pistachio nuts, according to researchers at Penn State who conducted the first study to investigate the way pistachios lower cholesterol.
Researchers Investigate Impact of Stress on Police Officers' Physical and Mental Health
Policing is dangerous work, and the danger lurks not on the streets alone.
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