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Trans-fatty acid levels in erythrocytes in Europe

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Abstract

Purpose

High, but not low levels of trans-fatty acids (TFA) in erythrocytes are associated with increased mortality. Current erythrocyte TFA levels in Europe are not known.

Methods

TFA levels in samples submitted by physicians for erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid analyses are reported, as analysed with a method (HS-Omega-3 Index®) previously used in pertinent prospective epidemiologic studies. From Germany, 6754 samples were included from 2008 through 2015, and 496 samples from 10 other European countries.

Results

In Germany, mean levels of C16:1n-7t, a marker for dairy and meat intake, decreased, as did mean levels of industrially produced (IP)-TFA, as did the percentage of individuals with IP-TFA > 1.04 %. Mean levels of IP-TFA in Austria and Switzerland were low before and after measures were taken to reduce them. Average levels of C16:1n-7t were low, and at levels associated with increased risk of death in previous studies. A limitation of our study is that samples were not obtained in a specific or representative manner.

Conclusions

Levels of IP-TFA appear to be decreasing, as are those of ruminant-derived C16:1n-7t, a marker for dairy and meat intake. Few individuals had high levels of IP-TFA above a safe range, while many had low levels of C16:1n-7t. Our data argue against further action against TFA in the countries studied. More systematic biomarker-based studies are needed.

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Abbreviations

TFA:

Trans-fatty acids

IP:

Industrially produced

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Acknowledgments

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Omegametrix, Am Klopferspitz 19, 82152, Martinsried, Germany

    Clemens von Schacky, Adrian Passow & Rosemarie Kiefl

  2. Medizinische Klinik I, Department of Preventive Cardiology, Ludwig Maximilians-University, Ziemssenstr.1, 80336, Munich, Germany

    Clemens von Schacky & Rosemarie Kiefl

Authors
  1. Clemens von Schacky
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  2. Adrian Passow
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Correspondence to Clemens von Schacky.

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Conflict of interest

C.v.S. has founded Omegametrix, a laboratory performing fatty acid analysis, and declares no other conflict of interest in the field of TFA. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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von Schacky, C., Passow, A. & Kiefl, R. Trans-fatty acid levels in erythrocytes in Europe. Eur J Nutr 56, 1719–1723 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1218-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1218-9

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