The Basic of Trans-Fatty Acids in Foods: An Update to Prevent Diseases

Abstract

Most of naturally occurring Fatty Acids (FAs) in humans are found in cis (Z) configuration.
The change of cis-FAs (e.g. monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FAs) in trans (E)-Fas
is made by isomerization, which could be geometric and/or positional according to a given carbon
chain.1-3 In the cis configuration, the two hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the carbon
chain with respect to the double bond, a situation that produces a bend in the FAs, whereas in
the trans configuration, the two hydrogen atoms are diagonally opposed to each other, straightening
the carbon chain.