Skip to main content

Trans-fats and its effects on the human body

        You may have heard from many health magazines that trans-fats are really bad for human health. But have you wondered why this might be the case? What is it about the trans-fats that make them so bad that health magazines basically view them as the biggest villain of all the time? The answer lies in their chemical structure and how our bodies react to them. 

So what are trans-fats? Trans-fats are saturated fatty acids that contain a double bond in the trans (opposite) arrangement. Therefore this type of fat is known to have a ‘kink’ in them (1). Please refer to the image below to understand the difference between cis versus trans saturated fats. 

Image citation link: https://www.nutrientsreview.com/lipids/trans-fats.html


The image shows us that a simple difference in the placement of hydrogen atoms makes trans fat an unhealthy type of fat when compared to cis-saturated fat. As the central theme of biochemistry dictates that structure determines function, what seems to be a minor difference contributes to the huge change. According to the previous nutrition research studies, we understand that trans-fats are linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. How do they contribute to the increased cardiovascular diseases? A study conducted at Wageningen University demonstrated that the participants who ingested trans fats had a higher concentration of LDL as compared to HDL1. Therefore it is evident that trans-fats help promote atherosclerosis in the individuals who consumed more trans-fats (2). 

Another study also suggested that trans-fats contribute towards the initiation of inflammation that ultimately results in atherosclerosis. Additionally, trans-fats are known to cause ER stress due to the high amount of reactive oxidative species (ROS)2. The reason why ER stress is problematic is that it can lead to the activation of unfolded protein response that induces cell apoptosis3 (2).

All the arguments provided in this blog should hopefully convince you to rethink consuming a high amount of trans-fats normally present in processed foods. It is, hence,  no surprise that trans-fats are considered to be the biggest villains of all times. The linkage of trans-fats to so many cardiovascular diseases serves as a valid piece of evidence to steer away from trans-fats. 

I seriously hope that you liked this blog. Stay tuned for another blog about biochemistry. 

Notes: 

  1. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) are types of cholesterol. HDL is regarded as the ‘good’ cholesterol as it helps with clearing off the building-up plaque in the arteries. Contrastingly, LDL is the ‘bad’ cholesterol as it helps in the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. 

  2. Many research studies suggest that a high concentration of ROS poses a challenge for cell survival. 

  3. Cell apoptosis means cell suicide.


Citations:

  1. Trans Fatty Acid Molecule. (2022). Retrieved January 7, 2022, from Worldofmolecules.com website: https://www.worldofmolecules.com/foods/trans_fatty_acids.htm

  2. Oteng, A.-B., & Kersten, S. (2019). Mechanisms of Action of trans Fatty Acids. Advances in Nutrition, 11(3), 697–708. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz125

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GPCR signaling and its importance as a pharmacological target

  Introduction There are several important concepts in biochemistry that explain how certain things work in our bodies. Of these, cellular communication is a crucial topic to discuss. Through the elegance of this complex process, our body is able to establish communication routes to produce a desired outcome. Have you ever wondered how you know you are hungry? Or how do your hands quickly move away if you accidentally touch something extremely hot? Your body has its own USPS system that serves to establish communication channels to respond to various environmental stimuli.  One such important cellular communication platform is the GPCR signaling or the G-protein coupled receptors. These receptors are highly expressed in the human genome and are responsible for signal transduction in various metabolic pathways. 1 Hence, serving as a major pharmacological target to treat numerous metabolic diseases.  In this blog, I am going to discuss the basics of GPCRs mediated si...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cellular Respiration and its role in human metabolism and metabolic diseases

  Abstract: Cellular respiration is a very essential biochemical process that is heavily researched and understood. The energy synthesizing component of cellular respiration contributes to the importance of studying this biochemical process. Through this paper, an effort is made to project the major mechanisms of respiration along with explaining the components of mitochondria. The paper initially discusses the processes of cellular respiration which includes glycolysis, Kreb’s cycle, and the electron transport chain. Additionally, the glycolysis section of the paper highlights the evolutionary significance of glycolysis. The endosymbiotic theory which proposes the origin of mitochondria within humans is included as well along with the pathologies associated with dysfunctioning mitochondria. Hence, with an aim to review multiple pieces of literature related to cellular respiration, this paper signifies the function of mitochondria and cellular respiration as a complex biochemical r...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cup of tea after all is good for you...

You do not have to be a tea lover like me to read and enjoy this blog. But yes, this blog can motivate you to at least try one cuppa of good health. People drink tea for its natural and earthy flavor, however, the tea you drink has so many health benefits as well. So if you drink tea on a regular basis, pat your back because you gave your body a great gift of health! There are many tea types which include black, green, white, chamomile, and herbal teas. Amongst these types, green tea has been rewarded the title of “the healthiest tea.” Adding green tea to your diet, which should comprise whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, has reduced the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes. 1 Professor Qi Shun, an assistant professor at the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, mentions that green tea contains a substance of polyphenols, which is assumed to be an effective anti-inflammatory substance. Polyphenols have a compound known as catechins. The...
Post a Comment
Read more