A recent study from Melbourne’s WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) has highlighted concerning effects associated with consuming high-fat meals, revealing that just two days of such diets can disturb gut health by triggering "hidden" inflammation. This type of inflammation may escalate over time, contributing to chronic diseases that could manifest years later.
The research indicated that high-fat meals lead to a reduction in IL-22, a crucial protein that helps protect the gut. Dr Cyril Seillet, one of the study’s senior authors, emphasised that the meals we eat directly influence our gut health. Increased consumption of saturated fats correlates with rising inflammation, gradually undermining gut defence systems and heightening vulnerability to chronic conditions. Notably, this inflammation often remains unnoticed until it develops into significant health issues later in life.
Currently, around one-third of Australians suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases like coeliac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite the findings, the mechanisms behind inflammation onset and its subsequent impact on health remain poorly understood. The study, published in the journal Immunity, revealed that short-term high-fat diets not only instigated inflammation in mice but also impaired their bodies’ ability to combat it effectively.
First author Le Xiong described high-fat diets as a "double hit" to the gut, promoting inflammation while simultaneously weakening the body’s defences. IL-22 is essential for maintaining gut integrity, and its deficiency can lead to increased inflammatory responses.
However, the study also brings encouraging news: it found that diets rich in unsaturated fats, such as those from nuts and avocados, enhance IL-22 production, thus bolstering the gut’s protection against diseases.
The researchers hope that their discoveries will inspire a re-evaluation of dietary guidelines to help individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions and promote better overall gut health.