Potential Treatments for Atherosclerosis: How Trans Fats Can Affect Atherosclerosis

Trans Fat, associated with unsaturated fats, can promote atherosclerosis. However, do not mistake that all unsaturated fats are bad. Only saturated fats and trans fats are bad.

Geometric isomers exist as either cis (Z) or trans (E) isomers. The name "trans" is associated with the geometrical orientation of the two bulkiest carbon chains facing opposing sides.

A diagram here will help clarify what I mean:

*note: methyl = CH3

Cis-isomers are naturally occurring most of the time, while trans-isomers are typically synthesized. A trans fat occurs when food companies "partially hydrogenise" their oils so they can have a longer shelf life. Nevertheless, if food companies meet the maximum allowed amount of trans fat per serving, or half a gram per serving, the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, allows food companies to label their products as "Zero" trans fat. But this is simply not true. During the hydrogenation process both cis and trans isomers will form. So unless your ingredient label says fully hydrogenated, then you probably still have some trans fats in your food product.

Some examples of food containing trans fat, or partially hydrogenated ingredients:

Ø Vegetable oils

Ø Ice cream

Ø Spreads (i.e. Margarine, shortening, butter, etc.)

Ø Soups (i.e Cup noodle or ramen soup)

Ø Fast food

Ø Packaged food (i.e. cake mixes)

Ø Frozen food

Ø Candy

Ø Baked goods (i.e. cookies)

Ø Chips and crackers

Well the list goes on, but these are some of the top ranking food containing trans fat.

Trans fat, or trans-fatty acids, has recently been identified to increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decrease levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Trans fat can also be associated with the inflammation in the arteries, and cause cell membrane changes that make them leaky to calcium. The summation of high LDL cholesterol, inflammation, and calcification in the arteries increases the chances of heart diseases caused by atherosclerosis.

In an article published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, "A Mechanism By Which Dietary Trans Fats Cause Atherosclerosis", researchers have found a direct correlation between trans fat and a protein that influences the development of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Researchers identify this protein as a "transforming growth factor", or TGF, that prevents atherosclerosis. By studying people with a high trans fat diet, the research study found that the TGF in these people were less responsive and their arteries had more significant blockage of blood flow than individuals with lower trans fats diet.

A hypothesis suggests that the body may recognize trans fats as saturated fats; therefore, the body treats these (saturated) fats as any other regular saturated fats.

Henceforth, the take-home message is that trans fats are bad. Although in today's modern society groceries and supermarkets all carry something with trans fats, it is simply a matter of having the knowledge and ability to make the right choices. Personally, I like to read nutritional labels and I avoid all partially hydrogenate ingredients and stick to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Last, but not least, I leave you with some quick tips on trans fats:

Ø Avoid the frozen aisle