Food sources of individual plasma phospholipid trans fatty acid isomers: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
BACKGROUND
The overall consumption of trans fatty acids (TFAs) increases the risk of coronary artery disease. However, multiple TFA isomers exist, each with potentially different health effects. Different food sources of these specific TFA isomers are not well established.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine the major independent food sources of specific TFA isomers.


METHODS
We investigated relations of major potential food sources of TFAs, as assessed by serial food-frequency questionnaires, with 10 plasma phospholipid TFA isomers [5 trans (t-) 18:1, 3 t-18:2, and 2 t-16:1] in 3330 older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a community-based multicenter cohort. Stepwise regression was used to identify independent major food sources of individual plasma phospholipid TFA isomers, which were adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors.


RESULTS
All 5 t-18:1 isomers were similarly associated with foods commonly made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs), including biscuits (0.51 higher SD of total 18:1 fatty acid concentrations per serving/d, P < 0.01), chips and/or popcorn (0.33 higher SD per serving/d, P = 0.02), margarine (0.32 higher SD per serving/d, P < 0.001), fried foods (0.32 higher SD per serving/d, P = 0.04), and bakery foods (0.23 higher SD per serving/d, P = 0.02). Each of the t-18:2 isomers were associated only with bakery foods (0.50 higher SD of total 18:2 fatty acid concentrations per serving/d, P < 0.001). Ruminant foods were major correlates of t-16:1n-7, including red meats (0.72 higher SD per serving/d, P < 0.001), butter (0.43 higher SD per serving/d, P < 0.001), and higher-fat dairy (0.37 higher SD per serving/d, P < 0.001). In contrast, t-16:1n-9 were derived mainly from margarine (0.31 higher SD per serving/d, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
t-18:1 Isomers are similarly derived from multiple PHVO-containing foods. In contrast, t-18:2 and t-16:1n-9 isomers are derived from more-specific types of PHVO-containing foods. Ruminant foods are major sources of t-16:1n-7. Different TFA isomers and dietary sources should be considered when investigating health effects and interventions to lower TFAs.
Micha
Renata
R
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. rmicha@hsph.harvard.edu
King
Irena B
IB
Lemaitre
Rozenn N
RN
Rimm
Eric B
EB
Sacks
Frank
F
Song
Xiaoling
X
Siscovick
David S
DS
Mozaffarian
Dariush
D
D000368:Aged; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D006865:Hydrogenation; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry
D004041:Dietary Fats; D010743:Phospholipids; D010938:Plant Oils; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids