TRANS FATTY-ACID ISOMERS FROM HYDROGENATED FATS - THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Wherever there is a double bond in a fatty acid, there is also a possi bility for isomerization. Under partial hydrogenation triacylglycerols composing oils' double bonds may change from cis to trans configurati on, therefore products derived from hydrogenated oils such as margarin es, shortenings and other industrial fats show high content of trans f atty acid isomers. The health implications of trans fatty acids in our diet is now a concern of controversy, because a has been demonstrated that its metabolic behaviour is as saturated fats. Trans fatty acids increase LDL-cholesterol and simultaneously decrease HDL-cholesterol, being considered both parameters as atherogenics. The oleochemical ind ustry has developed several strategies to reduce the trans fatty acid content of hydrogenated oils, and now margarines and other hydrogenate d derived products with low trans fatty acids content can be obtained from the retail market.