Journal Article

Plasma Trans Fatty Acid Levels, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Lifestyle: Results from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study

Lyngbakken, Magnus Nakrem, Røsjø, Helge, Vigen, Thea, Tveit, Arnljot, Omland, Torbjørn, Rønning, Ole Morten, Chandra, Anupam, Berge, Trygve, Svensson, My, Ihle-Hansen, Håkon, Eide, Ivar Anders, Orstad, Eivind Bjørkan, Schmidt, Erik Berg

2020

Overview

Intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) has previously been associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and inflammation, as well as increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. iTFA intake declined in Norway after the introduction of legislative bans against iTFA consumption. However, the relationship between the current iTFA intake and CV health is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between current iTFA intake, reflected by plasma iTFA levels, and established CV risk factors. We also examined the associations between plasma ruminant TFA levels and CV risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, we included 3706 participants from a Norwegian general population, born in 1950 and residing in Akershus County, Norway. The statistical method was multivariable linear regression. Plasma iTFA levels were inversely associated with serum triglycerides (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.001). Furthermore, high plasma iTFA levels were associated with higher education and less smoking and alcohol consumption. We found that plasma ruminant trans fatty acids (rTFA) levels were favorably associated with CV risk factors. Furthermore, plasma iTFA levels were inversely associated with CV risk factors. However, our results might have been driven by lifestyle factors. Overall, our findings suggest that the current low intake of iTFAs in Norway does not constitute a threat to CV health.

• Publisher: MDPI
• Subject: Aged / alcohol drinking / blood glucose / Blood Glucose - analysis / blood lipids / Blood Pressure / Body Mass Index / C-reactive protein / C-Reactive Protein - analysis / Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology / Cross-Sectional Studies / diastolic blood pressure / Diet - adverse effects / Diet - standards / Diet Surveys / Dietary Fats - blood / Eating - physiology / Fasting - blood / fat intake / Feeding Behavior - physiology / Female / Heart Disease Risk Factors / hematologic tests / Humans / hyperlipidemia / hypertension / inflammation / insulin resistance / Life Style / lifestyle / Linear Models / Male / Norway / Nutrition Policy / risk factors / smoking (habit) / systolic blood pressure / trans fatty acids / Trans Fatty Acids - blood / triacylglycerols / Triglycerides - blood