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Trans Fats and Saturated Fats

MeSci

ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
Messages
8,231
Location
Cornwall, UK
From Physician's First Watch

Risks from Trans Fat Confirmed in Meta-Analysis -- Saturated Fat Seems Innocent
By Joe Elia
Edited by
- Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

Saturated fat intake doesn't translate readily into higher cardiovascular risk, but increased trans fat intake does, a BMJ meta-analysis confirms.

In an attempt to better quantify risks associated with dietary fats, researchers pooled results of several observational studies. They focused on results comparing the highest versus lowest levels of fat intake (measured, for the most part, with dietary recall).

Saturated fat wasn't associated with all-cause mortality, total coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, or diabetes. Trans fat, on the other hand, was associated with increased risks for all-cause mortality (relative risk for highest vs. lowest intake, 1.34), CHD mortality (1.28), and total CHD (1.21) -- but not stroke or diabetes.

Asked to comment, Harlan Krumholz, editor-in-chief of NEJM Journal Watch Cardiology, writes: "Caveats abound in observational studies of nutrition, but this comprehensive review not only supports policies to reduce trans fat and undermines dogma about the evil of saturated fat, but also propels the growing concerns about replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates. What this study says most clearly is that we need better and stronger evidence about what diets are best for health at the individual level."

Link(s):
BMJ meta-analysis (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;68206023;XsGp5M5hIIjuM7OdH35KRD2ZTgBqSNJa4Bj6nC+HcdE=
Background: NEJM Journal Watch Cardiology coverage of ACC/AHA healthy-heart recommendations (Your NEJM Journal Watch registration required) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;68206023;XsGp5M5hIIjuM7OdH35KRP1glS6HPI0N4Bj6nC+HcdE=
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of "shaky underpinnings" of fat guidelines (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;68206023;XsGp5M5hIIjuM7OdH35KRJyp68OHgM1Q4Bj6nC+HcdE=
 

alex3619

Senior Member
Messages
13,810
Location
Logan, Queensland, Australia
This is more along the line of the things I have been seeing for the last few years. We have been warned of trans fats since the 80s at least. They are both structurally and hormonally damaging. Saturated fat might be damaging under specific circumstances, but its been overly demonized.

I started looking at trans fats much harder in about 1993. This is tied directly into eicosanoid synthesis and regulation, which means omega 3 and 6 fats. I think trans fats can even disrupt sleep, as much of that is also eicosanoid regulated, at least in part.

Avoiding trans fats has seemed important to me for over two decades now. Its really important if you have salicylate intolerance.
 

MeSci

ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
Messages
8,231
Location
Cornwall, UK
Update:

Follow-Up: Interview on Dietary Fat Meta-analysis
By the Editors

Last week's BMJ meta-analysis of several large cohorts found no association between saturated fat and mortality or coronary heart disease. Trans fat, on the other hand, posed increased risks.

The first author on the paper, Dr. Russell de Sousza, isn't ready to give a free pass to saturated fat, though. Listen in as he explains.

[Running time: 19 minutes]

Link(s):
Clinical Conversations podcast (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;68207386;RovJ1ZuoE9g8gRwI7rf2vMOr3SqSQhdOtwkqJ38uvQY=
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of BMJ meta-analysis (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;68207386;RovJ1ZuoE9g8gRwI7rf2vAdos8n4mYPatwkqJ38uvQY=