High-fat diets affect genes linked to obesity, colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome, the immune system and brain function.
- After eating three different high-fat diets, the mice experienced notable changes in gene expression.
- The affected genes are linked to obesity, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, changes in the immune system, brain function and even the risk of Covid-19.
- Coconut oil showed the highest number of genetic modifications, followed by unmodified soybean oil.
We know: excess fat is not good for your health and is associated with several pathologies. However, eating them regularly also causes devastating genetic changes. This is what researchers at the University of California at Riverside (United States) recently discovered. To reach this conclusion, they carried out a study, the results of which were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
As part of the research, the team analyzed the impact on gene expression, in four parts of the intestine (the duodenum, the jejunum, the terminal ileum and the proximal colon), of three different diets in in which at least 40% of calories came from fat. To do this, she conducted an experiment on mice for 24 weeks. One group of rodents were fed a diet of saturated fats from coconut oil, another received a modified, monounsaturated soybean oil, and a third ingested an unmodified soybean oil high in polyunsaturated fats. .
High-fat diets harm immune, gut and brain health
Compared to a low-fat diet, all three groups of animals experienced notable changes in gene expression. The genes involved are linked to many health problems, such as obesity, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, changes in the immune system, brain function and even the risk of Covid-19. In detail, high-fat diets increase the expression of ACE2 and other host proteins that are used by coronavirus proteins to enter the body.
While the genetic changes linked to fat metabolism and the composition of gut bacteria did not surprise the authors, they were surprised by the changes in genes regulating susceptibility to infectious diseases. “We found that pattern recognition genes, which recognize infectious bacteria, were affected. Cytokine signaling genes, which help the body control inflammation, were also affected. So this is “a double whammy. These diets alter the genes of the host’s immune system and also create an environment in which harmful gut bacteria can thrive,” said Frances Sladek, co-author of the work, in a statement.
Soy: “too much of this oil is not good for you”
According to the results, coconut oil showed the greatest number of changes, followed by unmodified soybean oil. The differences between the two soybean oils suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids in unmodified soybean oil, primarily linoleic acid, play a role in altering gene expression.
The researchers clarified that these data only applied to soybean oil, not other soy products, tofu or the soybeans themselves. “Soybeans have some great things going for them. But too much of this oil is just not good for you.”concluded Poonamjot Deol, co-author of the study.
