Association between trans fatty acid intake and cardiovascular risk factors in Europe: the TRANSFAIR study

Background: High intakes of trans fatty acids (TFA) have been found to exer t an undesirable effect on serum lipid profiles, and thus may increase the risk fur cardiovascular disease. Objective: Investigation of the association between TFA intake and serum li pids. Design: Cross-sectional study in eight European countries (Finland, France. Greece, Iceland, The Netherlands. Portugal Spain, Sweden) among 327 men an d 299 women (50-65 y). Using a dietary history method, food consumption was assessed and TFA intake was calculated with recent figures on TFA levels o f foods, collected in the TRANSFAIR study. Results: Mean (+/-s.d.) TFA intake was 2.40+/-1.53 g/day for men and 1.98+/ -1.49 g/day for women (0.87+/-0.4896 and 0.95+/-0.55% of energy, respective ly), with the highest consumption in Iceland and the lowest in the Mediterr anean countries. No associations were found between total TFA intake and LD L, HDL or LDL/HDL ratio after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. A dditional adjustment for other fatty acid clusters resulted in a significan t inverse trend between total TFA intake and total cholesterol (P-trend < 0 .03). The most abundantly occuring TFA isomer, C18:1 t, contributed substan tially to this inverse association. The TFA isomers C14:1 t9. C16:1 t9 and C22:1 t were nut associated or were positively associated with LDL or total cholesterol, Conclusions: From this Study We conclude that at the: current European inta ke levels of trans fatty acids they are not associated with an unfavourable serum lipid profile. Sponsorship: Unilever Research Laboratorium. the Dutch Dairy Foundation on Nutrition and Health. Cargill BV. the Institute of Food Research Norwich La boratory. the Nutrition Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries an d Food. the international Fishmeal and Oil Manufacturers' Association, Kraf t Foods, NV Vandemoortele Coordination Center. Danone Group, McDonalds Dc D eutschland Ins, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. Valio Ltd. Raisi o Group. Descriptors: trans fatty acids: dietary intake; cholesterol level; cardiova scular risk factors.