Macro partitioning
High intake of saturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids triggers Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, leading to chronic inflammation, gut barrier breakdown, and immune dysregulation.
Focus on the quality of fats in your diet rather than avoiding fat entirely. High intake of saturated fats (common in Western diets) can trigger immune receptors (TLR4) that lead to inflammation and gut issues. Try to balance your intake by including omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties, and be mindful that the source of your fat matters for immune health.
One of the first-line weapons the immune system deploys against infection are molecules called Toll-like receptors (TLR)... TLR4, is designed to sense bacteria... lipopolysaccharide (LPS), contains mostly saturated palmitic and steric fatty acids... Meaning that TLR4 can generate inappropriate signaling when exposed to certain saturated fats... Any resultant, abnormal signaling may lead to a misguided attack upon saturated fat when it is perceived as a bacterial invader.
Why this rating
The paper cites strong in vitro and animal models, but notes that human verification is lacking or shows downregulation rather than consistent upregulation in all contexts.
Source
Fast food fever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity
Ian A. Myles · Nutrition Journal · 2014
DOI 10.1186/1475-2891-13-61
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- Dietary choices alter the gut microbiome, which in turn affects the development and function of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), influencing the risk of autoimmune and allergic diseases.Moderate
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