Trans-fatty acids intake and risk of myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Concern that trans-fatty acids formed in the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils may increase the risk of coronary disease has existed for several decades, but direct evidence on this relation in humans is limited.


RESULTS
With a case-control design, we studied the association between intake of trans-fatty acids and a first acute myocardial infarction among 239 patients admitted to one of six hospitals in the Boston area and 282 population control subjects. Intake of trans-fatty acids was estimated using a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. After adjustment for age, sex, and energy intake, intake of trans-fatty acids was directly related to risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk for highest compared with lowest quintile, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.42, 4.19; for trend P < .0001). This relation remained highly significant after adjustment for established coronary risk factors, multivitamin use, and intake of saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, linoleic acid, dietary cholesterol, vitamins E and C, carotene, and fiber. Intake of margarine--the major source of trans-isomers--was significantly associated with risk of myocardial infarction.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the hypothesis that intake of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils may contribute to the risk of myocardial infarction.
Ascherio
A
A
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Hennekens
C H
CH
Buring
J E
JE
Master
C
C
Stampfer
M J
MJ
Willett
W C
WC
D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008383:Margarine