Trans Fats

Trans fats

 

Trans fats or trans fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fats, which come in both natural and artificial forms. Examples of natural trans fats are meat and dairy from ruminant animals (cattle, sheep, and goats). They comprise 2-6% in dairy products and 3-9% in meat products. However, according to several studies, a moderate intake of these fats does not appear to be harmful (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22332075),  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19424218), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21427742). 

 

The best known trans fat is “conjugated linoleic acid” found in ruminant dairy fat, and is marketed as a dietary supplement. Artificial trans fats are partially hydrogenated fats and are hazardous for health. Artificial trans fats are formed when vegetable oils are treated to make them solid at room temperature and to increase their shelf life. 

 

According to some clinical studies, consumption of trans fat is linked with increased LDL cholesterol, without corresponding increase in HDL cholesterol. Other fats tend to increase both LDL and HDL cholesterol (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19424218/). Increased LDL is the most important risk factor for heart disease. 

 

However the relationship between trans fat and diabetes risk is not very clear, a huge study has reported that individuals taking most of the fat as trans fat have 40% increased risk of developing diabetes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11556298/). Several studies on the relation between intake of trans fat and risk of diabetes, have given inconsistent results (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16825681), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16311100), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9135961), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10421228), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12145222). 

 

Inflammation is the normal immune response, but chronic inflammation is linked with increased risk of chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Intake of trans fats is linked with increase in inflammatory markers, especially in individuals with excess body fat (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15051604), (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15735094). 

 

Trans fats are believed to damage the endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels). Some studies also link trans fat consumption with increased risk of certain cancers (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16843178/). However, other studies found this link between trans fat and cancer very weak.