Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease—epidemiological data

Prospective epidemiologic studies and case–control studies using adipose tissue analyses support a major role of trans fatty acids (TFA) in risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The magnitude of the association with CHD is considerably stronger than for saturated fat, and is stronger than predicted by the effects of TFA on LDL and HDL cholesterol. The apparent gap between the epidemiologic findings and effects of TFA on LDL:HDL has been bridged, at least in part, by recent metabolic studies showing effects of TFA on inflammatory factors and other indicators of insulin resistance.