Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
09:39
Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages
Published on: May 30, 2013
Tolerable upper intake levels for trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Paula R Trumbo1, Tomoko Shimakawa
1Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA. paula.trumbo@fda.hhs.gov
Nutrition Reviews
|April 28, 2011
Summary
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) model for Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) is limited for nutrients like cholesterol and fats. It cannot establish a safe upper limit due to risks associated with any intake level.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Risk Assessment
Background:
- Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) are crucial for assessing population risk of adverse effects from excessive nutrient intake.
- The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has not established ULs for trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol due to their impact on LDL cholesterol and unavoidable presence in diets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate previously unconsidered clinical and observational data for trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
- To determine if the current UL model is applicable to these specific dietary components.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data.
- Analysis of prospective observational studies.
- Assessment of the existing UL risk assessment model's applicability.
Main Results:
- The analysis confirms limitations in the current risk assessment model for setting ULs.
- The model struggles to identify a UL for components like cholesterol that lack a clear intake threshold for chronic disease risk.
Conclusions:
- The current UL model is inadequate for establishing safe upper intake levels for cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.
- Further research may be needed to develop appropriate risk assessment models for these dietary components.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
03:38Structure of Lipids
Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...