Research

Mixed

Higher plasma levels of trans-18:2 fatty acids (derived from linoleic acid) are associated with a significantly increased risk of fatal ischemic heart disease and sudden cardiac death in older adults.

Focus on minimizing the heat treatment of polyunsaturated oils (like soybean, corn, sunflower) as this process generates trans-18:2 fatty acids, which are linked to higher heart disease risk. While industrial trans fats are largely removed, the specific trans-18:2 isomer formed during refining and frying remains a concern. Prioritize oils with low trans-18:2 content or unrefined options where possible.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Higher levels of plasma phospholipid trans-18:2 fatty acids were associated with higher risk of fatal IHD (odds ratio [OR] for interquintile range 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21 to 2.33)... In analyses limited to cases of sudden cardiac death (n=95), higher levels of trans-18:2 fatty acids were associated with higher risk (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.31)
Rozenn N. Lemaître et al. · Circulation · 2006

Why this rating

High-quality observational evidence (nested case-control in a large cohort) with strong adjustment for confounders, though causality cannot be strictly established.

Source

Plasma Phospholipid <i>Trans</i> Fatty Acids, Fatal Ischemic Heart Disease, and Sudden Cardiac Death in Older Adults

Rozenn N. Lemaître et al. · Circulation · 2006

DOI 10.1161/circulationaha.106.620336

case_control · n=428Cited 176×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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