Coronary heart disease is a chronic disease that begins when cholesterol and fat deposits accumulate on the inside wall of the arteries that bring blood to your heart. Over time, these deposits form tough plaques that make the vessels rigid and narrow. As blood flow to the heart muscle diminishes, CHD can cause a type of chest pain called angina, as well as heart attacks. Trans fatty acids, or trans fats, play a role in the development of coronary heart disease.
Identification
Trans fatty acids occur in some raw foods and are also a byproduct of the manufacturing process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oil to form a solid product. Manufacturers may list trans fatty acids as partially hydrogenated oils on food labels, says the American Heart Association.
Effects
Cholesterol is carried throughout your bloodstream by carriers known as lipoproteins. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the "good" cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is called the "bad" cholesterol. When you eat trans fatty acids, they raise your LDL levels and reduce the amount of HDL in your body.
Sources
Solid fats, such as those found in stick margarine and shortening, are typically high in trans fatty acids. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the harder the fat, the more likely it is to contain trans fatty acids. Fried foods like doughnuts and french fries are typically made with trans fats, as are baked goods including pies, cakes, cookies, biscuits, pizza dough and crackers. There are also smaller amounts of trans fatty acids in beef, lamb, butterfat and other dairy products. However, AHA says experts don't yet know if these naturally occurring trans fats contribute to CHD.
Substitutes
When shopping for margarine or shortening, look for products that list liquid vegetable oil as the first ingredient, and avoid those that says hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. You can also look for newer brands that are completely free from trans fats, says NHLBI.
Considerations
The AHA recommends limiting trans fats to less than 1 percent of your daily calorie intake. Because some foods naturally contain trans fats, you'll probably reach that limit even before you eat a commercial product made with trans fats. If you continue to eat a diet high in trans fats, you'll increase your risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Trans fats also increase the chance that you'll develop Type 2 diabetes, which is an additional risk factor for CHD.
