[Trans-fatty acids in the diet and their possible health risks].

Trans fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids which have at least one double bond in the trans configuration. Their dietary source are some foods of animal origin, but in particular hardened fats and products which contain them. Increased attention is paid to these substances in particular because they are suspected to act as risk factors for ischaemic heart disease. The authors discuss in the submitted review the chemistry, dietary sources, estimated intake and effects of trans fatty acids in the organism.