The Journal of Immunology, a reputable source, has published an article in their Dec edition which links dietary fat consumption with inflammation. Reporting on these findings Medical News Today points out how healthy bodies may fight disease thereby affecting the immune system. Fat intake in our diets has increased substantially over the last thirty years. Inflammatory diseases such as asthma, autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis have also increased. Obesity which is linked to many of these illnesses, is becoming an epidemic.


"We have shown that a subset of white blood
cells, called dendritic cells, which initiate
immune responses, rely on the fatty acid binding
molecule aP2 for their function. It is possible
that different fatty acids or their total levels
will affect aP2 function in dendritic cells, and
hence affect immune responses,"
explains Professor Charles Mackay, Director of Sydney's Garvan Institute's Immunology Program.

Professor Mackay added:
"What we want to do now
is study whether it is the total levels of fats
or the different types of fats that alter
dendritic cell function, through their binding to
aP2. We know that dietary changes can improve
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and we believe
that a 'diet hypothesis' may account for the
dramatic changes in inflammatory diseases seen in
the western world over the past 30 years -
molecules such as aP2 may be one of the clues
that will help explain this phenomenon."
Positive outcomes for autoimmune diseases have been found when fats such as omega 3 found in fish linseed and sunflower oils are used. Using proper fats, showing positive results for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic diseases.

Developing medications directed at 'aP2' , adipocyte/macrophage fatty acid-binding protein, hold promise for curing inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Proper diet with regulated fat consumption to ensure proper types of fat are consumed, may prevent these conditions from occurring.