Partially hydrogenated fats (a.k.a. "trans fats") are among the worst kinds of fat to eat from a health perspective. Evidence suggests that trans fats can be as bad as saturated fat in raising levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood. According to the American Heart Association, trans fats can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
But some research now suggests that increased risk of miscarriage may be another consequence of having a diet high in partially hydrogenated fats. In a study published in Fertility and Sterility in 2008, researchers followed 104 women over a period of 25 to 30 years and discovered that women who ate more trans fatty acids had an increased risk of miscarriage -- and the risk of miscarriage went up by the level of trans fats that the women ate. The association was independent of body mass index, amount of exercise, age, and other factors.
Like most research, this evidence does not conclusively prove that eating partially hydrogenated fats actually causes miscarriage -- it merely shows a statistical correlation. Further research is needed to confirm the association between trans fats and miscarriage, and there may be some third factor in play that led to women with high intake of trans fats being more likely to miscarry.
But this study does mean that eating large amounts of trans fatty acids might increase risk of miscarriage. And regardless of whether the link holds up, it certainly can't hurt anything to try to cut down on trans fats anyway, given their known link to heart disease.
Sources
American Heart Association, "Trans Fats." May 2008. Accessed 21 Sept 2008.
Morrison, John A., Charles J. Glueck, and Ping Wang, "Dietary trans fatty acid intake is associated with increased fetal loss." Fertility and Sterility Aug 2008. Accessed 21 Sept 2008.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Revealing Trans Fats." FDA Consumer Magazine Sept 2003. Accessed 21 Sept 2008.
