Lipoprotein trans monounsaturated fatty acids

Mensink, R.P., Katan, M.B. 1993. Trans monounsaturated fatty acid in nutrition and their impact on serum lipoprotein levels. Prog. Lipid Res., 32, 111-122. 

Several trials have evaluated the effects of Cig trans monounsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins (Figure 3). The results have been relatively consistent, and the following general conclusions have been drawn from these studies ... 

As mentioned earlier, saturated fatty acids (SFA) of foods are regarded as the cause of a high-risk pattern of blood lipoproteins octadecanoic (stearic, Cig) acid and tetradecanoic (myristic, C14) acid and also all trans acids are considered to be the most damaging. With increasing consumption of SFA, blood levels of cholesterol and LDL are raised. Conversely, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are judged to be beneficial, although the various families of PUFA differ in their effects the n-6 PUFA (which occur mainly in plant lipids) reduce the blood concentration of LDL, and the n-3 PUFA (from fish lipids) reduce VLDL. It is considered desirable to have a balance in the diet of n-6 to n-3 PUFA the recommended maximum ratio is 4 1. In between the SFA and PUFA are the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), such as octadecenoic (oleic, 18 1) acid, which are regarded as neutral or possibly beneficial to blood lipoproteins. 

Figure 3 Effects of monounsaturated Ci8 trans fatty acids on lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations relative to oleic acid (c/s-Ci8 i). Data are derived from six dietary comparisons between trans and cis monounsaturated fatty acids differences between diets in fatty acids other than trans and cis monounsaturated fatty acids were adjusted for by using regression coefficients from a meta-analysis of 27 controlled trials. The regression lines were forced through the origin because a zero change in intake will produce a zero change in lipoprotein concentrations. From Zock et al. (1995), reproduced with kind permission of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Debbie was a fast-food addict who lost her mother to a heart attack when Debbie was 22. Now that Debbie was nearing the age at which her mother passed away, she was frightened. However, Debbie believed that knowledge is power, so she decided to research heart disease. Diet was one of the foremost subjects found in her search, and Debbie learned that there is a difference in types of fat. Not only should a heart-conscious person eat a low-fat diet, but healthy fats should be included as well. She learned about the difference between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats essential fatty acids and trans-fats. She even learned that cholesterol is a fat-like substance called a lipoprotein and that the blood level should be below 200mg/dL. Debbie decided to change her diet and get her cholesterol checked. She wanted, for the sake of her own children, to live beyond her mother s age. 

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