There are always complications with unbalanced diets.
In a recent investigation conducted at the University of California Riverside, scientists have unveiled disturbing associations between high-fat diets and adverse effects on genes linked to obesity, colon cancer, and irritable bowels. The study, documented in Scientific Reports, stands out for its thorough scrutiny of genetic transformations across all four sections of the mice’s intestines after subjecting them to diets where a minimum of 40% of calories originated from fat over a 24-week period.
The mice were divided into three groups, each assigned a distinctive high-fat diet. One group received saturated fat from coconut oil, another was exposed to monounsaturated, modified soybean oil, and the third group consumed an unmodified soybean oil diet abundant in polyunsaturated fat. Despite the inherent limitations of directly applying findings from mouse studies to humans, the researchers highlighted the significant genetic overlap, with mice sharing 97% of working DNA with humans.
Comparing the results to a low-fat control diet, all three groups exhibited troubling changes in gene expression, the crucial process responsible for translating genetic information into functional substances like proteins. Frances Sladek, the primary author of the study and a professor of cell biology at UC Riverside, emphasized the misconceptions surrounding high-fat plant-based diets, stating, “While it’s commonly believed that plant-based diets are generally healthier, a high-fat diet, even sourced from plants, proves to be an exception.”
Of particular concern were the unexpected modifications observed in genes regulating susceptibility to infectious diseases. The study brought to light compromised pattern recognition genes, essential for identifying infectious bacteria, and cytokine signaling genes, crucial for controlling inflammation. This dual impact not only impairs immune system genes in the host but also fosters an environment conducive to the proliferation of harmful gut bacteria.
Moreover, the research highlighted that all three high-fat diets elevated the expression of ACE2 and other host proteins utilized by COVID-19 spike proteins to infiltrate the body. This underscores the relevance of the findings in the context of the ongoing pandemic. Additionally, the study indicated that high-fat diets promoted signs of stem cells in the colon, contrary to initial assumptions, which can serve as precursors to cancer.
Given the widespread use of soybean oil in the United States and its increasing prevalence in countries like China, India, and Brazil, the implications of this research are substantial. The study underscores the necessity for a nuanced comprehension of dietary choices and their potential repercussions on genetic health, immune function, and susceptibility to infectious diseases.
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