High intake of trans fatty
acids may be linked with elevated cholesterol, according to a new study
published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The
researchers’ studies suggest that fatty acids containing at least one
trans double bond have a detrimental effect on serum lipoprotein
cholesterol levels compared with unsaturated fatty acids containing double
bonds in the cis configuration.
In their commentary, Ascherio and his colleagues
point out that the average U.S. consumer gets just 25% - 37% of their
daily trans fatty acid intake from butter or margarine, with the rest
coming from prepared products such as baked goods, fried fast foods, and
poorly formulated supplements.
Check your supplements closely for trans fatty acids
or hydrogenated oils.
