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Trans-fatty acids and nonlipid risk factors
Sarah K Wallace1, Dariush Mozaffarian
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Building 2-315, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|October 27, 2009
Summary
Industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFA) increase coronary heart disease (CHD) risk beyond lipid effects. Emerging evidence links TFA to inflammation, insulin resistance, and other non-lipid factors contributing to heart disease and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Industrial trans-fatty acids (TFA) are linked to coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Existing explanations focus on TFA's adverse effects on serum lipids.
- The full impact of TFA on health, including diabetes and sudden cardiac death, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on the effects of trans-fatty acid intake on non-lipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- To explore how these non-lipid effects contribute to the overall risk associated with TFA consumption.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of evidence from randomized controlled trials.
- Analysis of observational studies, animal experiments, and in vitro studies.
- Evaluation of TFA effects on systemic inflammation, endothelial function, visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and arrhythmic risk.
Main Results:
- Trans-fatty acids (TFA) impact multiple non-lipid cardiovascular risk factors.
- Evidence supports TFA's role in promoting systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
- TFA intake is associated with increased visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and arrhythmic risk.
Conclusions:
- The non-lipid effects of trans-fatty acids (TFA) provide a comprehensive explanation for their strong association with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
- These adverse non-lipid pathways also elucidate TFA's contribution to other non-CHD health issues.
- Dietary guidance should consider the multifaceted negative health impacts of industrially produced trans-fatty acids.
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