TRANSFATSTRANSFATSIN THE FOODSUPPLYhttp://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/super_size/05.jpg

WHAT ARE FATS?Dietary fats are triacylglycerolsOne glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid chainsFormed by dehydration synthesisA + 3B -> AB + 3H2OFatty acids can be uniform or mixed of different typesSaturatedUnsaturatedMonounsaturatedPolyunsaturated Trans http://www.reducetriglycerides.com/triglyceride_molecule4.jpeg

One glycerol molecule bonded to three fatty acid chains

Formed by dehydration synthesis

A + 3B -> AB + 3H2O

Fatty acids can be uniform or mixed of different types

Saturated

Unsaturated

Monounsaturated

Polyunsaturated

Trans

WHAT ARE FATS?Fatty Acids (14 – 20C)saturated:(solid at room temp.)monounsaturated:(liquid at room temp.)polyunsaturated:(liquid at room temp.)

TRANS FATSSmall amounts found naturally in beef, lamb and dairy products as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) [factor dependant]Small amounts occur in refined vegetable oils [debatable]Large amounts result from “partial hydrogenation” of unsaturated fats that move the hydrogen atoms, creating a straight conformation as found in saturated fats(Ascherio, 2006)

Small amounts found naturally in beef, lamb and dairy products as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) [factor dependant]

Small amounts occur in refined vegetable oils [debatable]

TRANS FATSTrans Fatty Acid++H

TRANS FAT HISTORYPaul Sabatier develops the hydrogenation process. He was a French chemist who became a Nobel laureate in 1912.Scientist Wilhelm Normann finds that liquid oils can be hydrogenated to form trans fatty acids. He patents the process. Trans fat is the first man-made fat to join our food supply.Procter & Gamble introduces Crisco vegetable shortening in grocery stores. Crisco becomes the first of many manufactured food products containing trans fat.World War II begins, and the United States becomes involved at the end of 1941. As the war progresses, the use of margarine rises sharply because butter is rationed.

TRANS FAT HISTORYThe American Heart Association first proposes that reducing dietary fats, namely saturated fats found in foods like butter and beef, can reduce the chance of getting heart disease.In response to consumer advocacy groups, most fast-food companies begin using partially hydrogenated oils containing trans fat instead of beef tallow and tropical oils high in saturated fats.Following the release of several scientific studies, health advocacy groups call for fast-food restaurants to stop using partially hydrogenated oils in their deep fryers.Denmark is the first and only country to regulate trans fat on a national basis, putting a very small cap on the amount that food may contain.(American Heart Association, 2008)

WHY AND WHERE?Why trans fats?Products retain the flavour and smell of unsaturated fatsAdds desired texture to productsLengthens shelf life by raising the melting point, slowing oxidationReduces need for use of saturated fats

Products retain the flavour and smell of unsaturated fats

Adds desired texture to products

Lengthens shelf life by raising the melting point, slowing oxidation

Reduces need for use of saturated fats

THE PROBLEMMANUFACTURED TRANS FATS CAUSECARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE,OBESITY,TYPE 2 DIABETES,BREAST CANCER, FETAL LOSS, LEARNING IMPAIRMENT,and ???

HEART DISEASETrans fats raise LDL (low density lipoprotein) plasma levels and lower HDL (high density lipoprotein) plasma levelsTrans fat intake alters the LDL:HDL ratio at twice the rate of natural saturated fatsLong chain trans fatty acids alter LDL:HDL ratio more than short chain(Ascherio, 2006)

Trans fats raise LDL (low density lipoprotein) plasma levels and lower HDL (high density lipoprotein) plasma levels

Trans fat intake alters the LDL:HDL ratio at twice the rate of natural saturated fats

Long chain trans fatty acids alter LDL:HDL ratio more than short chain

HEART DISEASE STATSWHO: Global Burden of Disease (2004)Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the worldGreater incidence among people of low socioeconomic statusCVD in CanadaCVD is the leading cause of death in the Canada2004: mortality was 73,338 (31% of male deaths, 33% of female deaths) Blood Cholesterol40% or 10 000 000 Canadians have high blood cholesterol levelsMetabolic Syndrome (MetS)Diabetes, abdominal obesity, changes in cholesterol, high blood pressureTwo-fold increase in the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality(American Heart Association, 2009)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world

Greater incidence among people of low socioeconomic status

CVD is the leading cause of death in the Canada

2004: mortality was 73,338 (31% of male deaths, 33% of female deaths)

40% or 10 000 000 Canadians have high blood cholesterol levels

Diabetes, abdominal obesity, changes in cholesterol, high blood pressure

Two-fold increase in the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

TRANS FAT TASK FORCECritical questions began to arise in 1990 (79 years after Crisco®)Formed in 2005 to advise on reduction or elimination of trans fatsChose to reduce rather than eliminate for political, economic, and enforcement reasons

Critical questions began to arise in 1990 (79 years after Crisco®)

Formed in 2005 to advise on reduction or elimination of trans fats

Chose to reduce rather than eliminate for political, economic, and enforcement reasons

TRANS FAT TASK FORCERecommendationsAverage intake of trans fats should be less than 1% of energy intakeVegetable oils and soft margarines: no more than 2% of total fatAll other foods: no more than 5% of total fat

Average intake of trans fats should be less than 1% of energy intake

Vegetable oils and soft margarines: no more than 2% of total fat

All other foods: no more than 5% of total fat

Labeling2006: trans fat declared on label and included in total fat content

Conclusion“There is no physiological requirement for trans fats — they have no intrinsic health value above their caloric value — and therefore their intake should be as low as possible.” (Trans Fat Task Force, 2006)If we eliminate all trans fats... What will the manufactures find to replace them?How safe will the replacement be?

SOURCESAmerican Heart Association. (2008). A History of Trans Fats. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from http://www.americanheart.org/ presenter.jhtml?identifier=3048193American Heart Association. (2009). International Cardiovascular Disease Statistics. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from http://www. americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1236204012112INTL.pdf Ascherio, Alberto. (2006). Trans fatty acids and blood lipids. Atherosclerosis Supplements, 7, 25-27.CFIA. (2008). Chapter 7-Nutrient Content Claims. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/ labeti/guide/ch7ae.shtml#7.18 Innis, Sheila M. (2006). Trans fatty intakes during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood. Atherosclerosis Supplements, 7, 17-20.Kavanagh, Kylie et al. (2007). Trans fat diet induces abdominal obesity and changes in insulin sensitivity in monkeys. Obesity, 15(7), 1675-1684.Kohlmeier, L. et al. (1997). Adipose tissue trans fatty acids and breast cancer in the European Community . Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, 6(9), 705-710.Morrison, John A. et al. (2008). Dietary trans fatty acid intake is associated with increased fetal loss. Fertility and Sterility, 90(2), 385-390.Park, Yeonhwa. Unpublished . Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Good or Bad Trans Fat?. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.Risérus, Ulf. (2006). Trans fatty acids and insulin resistance. Atherosclerosis Supplements, 7, 37-39.Trans Fat Task Force. (2006). TRANSforming the Food Supply. Retrieved January 7, 2009, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/gras-trans-fats/tf-ge/tf-gt_rep-rap-eng.php USFDA. (2006). Questions and Answers about Trans Fat Nutrition Labeling. Retrieved March 23, 2009, from http://www.cfsan.fda. gov/~dms/qatrans2.html