Isomeric trans fatty acids in the U.S. diet

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Food Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Actual trans fatty acid (FA) consumption data for the U.S. population is unavailable.
• Estimates are derived from U.S. Department of Agriculture-Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) data on fats and oils production and disappearance.
• Trans FAs are a significant component of partially hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the daily intake of trans fatty acids (FAs) in the U.S. population.
• To assess the range of trans FA availability in the U.S. food supply.
• To evaluate the implications of these estimates for nutrition policy.

Main Methods:

• Calculated trans FA availability using USDA-ERS fats and oils production and food disappearance data.
• Estimated consumption based on available trans FA levels in total fat and total fat intake data from the Lipid Research Clinics (LRC).
• Predicted intake using an equation relating adipose tissue trans FA levels to dietary fat intake.

Main Results:

• Trans FAs available in the U.S. food supply range from 12.5 to 15.2 g/person/day (average 13.3 g/person/day).
• Estimated trans FA consumption predicts a wide range from 1.6 to 38.7 g/person/day based on LRC data.
• Adipose tissue analysis suggests a dietary intake range of 11.1 to 27.6 g/person/day trans FAs.

Conclusions:

• Estimates of trans FA intake vary widely depending on the methodology used.
• Partially hydrogenated vegetable fats and oils are the primary source of trans FAs in adipose tissue.
• These findings highlight the need for accurate trans FA consumption data for effective nutrition policy.