Trans fatty acids revisited-is there a health problem?.

Since my last update on this subject in 1990, further metabolic research has confirmed that as the percentage of dietary energy from C18 trans monoenoic fatty acids increases in the range 2-11%, ther is a tendency for the bood concentrations of LDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) to rise and for HDL-cholesterol to fall. Information on the effects of longer chain trans fatty acids is needed and a research priority is to investigate effects on thrombosis./ Epidemiological studies have produced conflicting results. A large US study found a postive association between consumption of trans fatty acids and coronary heart disease risk, whereas two European studies found no association. Concerns about the effects of a monther's intake on the growth and development of her baby are not bases on sound evidence but need further investigation. On average, consumption of tans fatty acids in the UK seems to be falling. Average intakes do not pose a helth problem but there may be concern in cases where individuals have abnormally high intakes.