People with high blood cholesterol levels are more likely to develop the disease. Additional scientific information about trans fats is needed to determine their overall role in cardiovascular disease. Research animals fed diets high in trans fats develop almost no atherosclerosis compared to animals fed diets high in saturated fats. Human epidemiological studies have suggested a possible link between cardiovascular disease risk and high intakes of trans fats. Still, these findings generate important hypotheses that require future study.
Cardiovascular disease is very complex.
While blood fats such as cholesterol play a part in the development of the disease, there are a number of other factors involved such as diabetes, hypertension, blood clotting, gender, age and heredity. In addition, lifestyle factors other than diet play key roles in the development of heart disease. Reduce total fat intake, which will help lower your intake of both saturated and trans fats. Reducing trans fat intake should not be accomplished by substituting food higher in saturated fats in the diet. Most liquid vegetable oils are naturally lower in saturated fats and are trans fat-free.