title: Trans-fatty acids, dangerous bonds for health? A background review paper of their use, consumption, health implications and regulation in France.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) can be produced either from bio-hydrogenation in the rumen of ruminants or by industrial hydrogenation. While most of TFAs' effects from ruminants are poorly established, there is increasing evidence that high content of industrial TFAs may cause deleterious effects on human health and life span.
  
  
  METHODS
  Indeed, several epidemiological and experimental studies strongly suggest that high content of most TFA isomers could represent a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by a mechanism that lowers the "good HDL cholesterol" and raises the "bad LDL cholesterol."
  
  
  RESULTS
  With respect to the general precautionary principle and considering the existence of an international policy consensus regarding the need for public health action, some industrialized countries, such as France, are still not sufficiently involved in preventive strategies that aim to efficiently reduce TFAs content and TFAs consumption and produce alternative healthier fat sources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this manuscript, we provide an overview about TFAs origins, their use and consumption among French population. We also discuss their potential human health implications as well as the preventive and regulatory measures undertaken in France.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Sciences and Technology, Fluorotronics Inc., 2453 Cades Way, San Diego, CA 92081, USA. dr.fmenaa@gmail.com
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menaa
authors.forename: Abder
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menaa
authors.forename: Bouzid
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Menaa
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tréton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005511:Food Handling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005602:France; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006865:Hydrogenation; D007881:Legislation, Food; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012306:Risk; D012417:Rumen / Q000382:microbiology; D012418:Ruminants; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids