EMBARGOED UNTIL 4:00 p.m. (EST) November 19, 1997
Contact: Kristin Schroeder, (303) 315-5571
Study Links Trans Unsaturated Fats to Increased Risk of Heart Disease Hardened or "trans" unsaturated fats and saturated fats in food both are associated with increased risk of heart disease, according to a study published in the Nov. 20 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The study also reports that intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fats is associated with a reduced risk of the disease. In the article's accompanying editorial, "Hardened Fats, Hardened Arteries?" Tim Byers, MD, MPH, of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center said that the study should not lead anyone to conclude that "butter is better than margarine." "Consumption of saturated fats, which are found in butter, is known to increase risk for heart disease. Trans fats, found in margarine, also increase cholesterol levels but not as much as saturated fats," Dr. Byers said. "My concern is that consumers will choose butter over margarine, thinking that butter is a healthier choice, which is not the case." Intake of both trans fats and saturated fats should be limited, Dr. Byers said. Trans fats are vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated or solidified into firmer products like margarine or shortening, making them easier to bake with and more resistant to spoiling. It is the hydrogenating process that turns healthful vegetable oils into cholesterol-raising trans fats. "I think an important next step is to choose solidified vegetable oils that preserve their 'heart healthy' nature by reducing the amount of trans fats," Dr. Byers said. "Many such products are now being developed." Dr. Byers added that trans fats often are "hidden" on many food labels and listed as mono- or polyunsaturated fats, both of which are linked to lower cholesterol levels. The Food and Drug Administration is considering a proposal that would require listing trans fats separately on food labels. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver, Colo., the campus includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, a graduate school and two hospitals.
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