Dr Tetyana Obukhanych, Ph.D. - Natural Immunity and Vaccination

Dr Tetyana Obukhanych, Ph.D. - Natural Immunity and Vaccination

Ukrainian-born immunologist, Dr Obukhanych PhD is the author of Vaccine Illusion: How Vaccination Compromises Our Natural Immunity and What We Can Do to Regain Our Health. In her book, she presents a view on vaccination that is radically different from mainstream theories
Dr Tetyana Obukhanych, has studied immunology in has studied immunology in some of the world's most prestigious medical institutions. She earned her PhD in Immunology at the Rockefeller University in New York and did postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. and Stanford University in California.

She does talks for mom groups, practitioners and WAPF groups. I just saw her in SF on Sunday. She's absolutely wonderful and super brilliantly sharp!

Her view on the science is clear, concise and complete. Her intention is to illuminate the science, not perpetuate the public health fears. Facts v. fiction. The goal of the talk is to review: the facts, the theories, the choices.

"Facts without theory are nonsense. And theories without facts are b*llsh*t."

--Dr Obukhanych's favorite stat professor at Stanford

In her latest talk, she discusses some immunoprotective strategies and their mechanisms in health:

--vitamin C

--vitamin A (her favorite is WAPF supported, fermented CLO, cod liver oil)

--vitamin D

--probiotics

--raw dairy, cream, raw eggs

--breastmilk as a shield for the baby and why (AHS14 The first paleo food: Breastmilk and it's alive! Speaker: Dr Goscienski MD)

Exercise (Step #6) to Be Lean, Healthy, HAWWWT, Have a Great Gut and GUT MICROBIOTA; New Study on Spectacular Diversity, Health Markers, and Guts of Elite Irish Rugby Team

IRISH RUGBY MEMBERS
Source

Exercise (Step #6)

Did you guys see how a new trial showed that the studly, elite rugby players on the national Irish team displayed awesome guts (and abs) while they were in training? I love this topic because not only does it raise many questions but it may answer what we inherently know/suspect about the interweaved relationship between good health and lifestyles/diet/exercise AND GUT HEALTH.

Exercise is Step #6 of the 7 Steps for optimal gut health and super bionic fiber combo (Versions B and A). I used to train and do 1/2 marathons and triathlons, and got very tired of defending my beloved chronic cardio to overweight HIIT purists. No joke. Hard to defend what is obviously ancestral. Our ancestors moved. A lot. They foraged and fought -- they fed their young and fortified their dwellings. They moved consistently often for hours. Genetically some (like apoE4) need to move much more than others perhaps. True also for the Pima Indians who have ancestral-type genetics but live in a discordant, modern, carb-heavy, sedentary ecology. See here, here and here.

New Elite Irish National Rugby Team Player Study:
Exercise and associated dietary extremes impact on gut microbial diversity (free PDF)
Clarke et al. Gut. 2014 Jun 9.

According to the study, “The results provide evidence for a beneficial impact of exercise on gut microbiota diversity but also indicate that the relationship is complex and is related to accompanying dietary extremes.”


Science daily recap: The Irish rugby team has exceptional guts: Exercise and diet impact gut microbial diversity

Editorial by Georgina Hold: The gut microbiota, dietary extremes and exercise

Exercise and higher dietary protein related to better guts and statistically related to diversity (=better gut) and lower inflammatory biomarkers compared with controls. Very well done IMHO, though INFINITE confounders lol.

Many factors raise diversity which the researchers failed to address:
(1) exposure to dirt/soil organisms on the rugby fields (dirt can make you happier)
(2) contact with diverse other players' skin, spit, sweat, whatever is like how dogs and their owners share microbiota
(3) being outdoors and contact with environmental microorganisms (lower disease and atopy)
(4) genetic variants (selective for warrior genes, elite athleticism, super guts, lower inflammation, etc)

Here's a synopsis from the researchers:

What is already known about this subject?
▸ An altered gut microbiota composition has
been associated with a number of diseases and
syndromes, including obesity.
▸ We and others have shown the primacy of diet
in influencing the microbiota in obesity.
▸ Loss of gut microbiota diversity has been linked
to an increasing number of conditions such as
autism, GI diseases and obesity associated
inflammatory characteristics.
▸ Akkermansia muciniphilla abundance has been
shown to inversely correlate with obesity and
associated metabolic disorders.

What are the new findings?
▸ This is the first report that exercise increases
gut microbial diversity in humans.
▸ Protein consumption positively correlates with
microbial diversity (correlation coefficients
0.24–0.43).
▸ The athletes in the low body mass index (BMI)
group had significantly higher proportions of
the genus Akkermansia levels compared with
the high BMI group.


How might it impact on clinical practice in
the foreseeable future?

▸ Our findings indicate that exercise is another
important factor in the relationship between
the microbiota, host immunity and host
metabolism, with diet playing an important
role. Further, intervention-based studies to
tease apart this relationship will be important
and provide further insights into optimal
therapies to influence the gut microbiota and
its relationship with health and disease

New Zealand Rugby Team
Source

Spectacular Abs, Spectacular Gut Microbiota Diversity

The elite athletes had way more butyrate producers (Rumino, Clostridia, etc) and Akkermansia muciniphila compared with both high BMI and low BMI controls. These species found in higher abundance in the healthy athletes are also the same found in our lean ancestral core that I discussed earlier and how to achieve: Sorry. Resistant Starch is Unlikely to Miraculously Cause Weight Loss and Body Fat Loss

A. muciniphila is very unique making up 3-5% of fecal microbiota in healthy folks. IT LOWERS BODY FAT. The mechanisms are unknown but if A. muciniphila are fed to rodents, they lose body fat. If they are fed their favorite foods (oligofructose) then A. muciniphila populations are restored and weight loss in rodent models ensues. It is also associated with elevated endocanabinnoid concentrations and maintains healthy blood glucoses (maybe this is why pot causes lower glucose... thus 'munchies'?).



Unlike Resistant Starch, Oligofructose and Inulin-like Fructans Cause Miraculous Body Fat Loss and Weight Loss

Yes. Many fibers induce fat loss, but resistant starch is not one imho.

Inulin and oligofructose often are. Humans and rodent model research.

It works for me. It's half of Version B of my super bionic fiber formula. Inulin and oligos are naturally found abundantly in onions, leeks (French stay skinny on leek soup), asparagus, sunchokes, etc. It's sweet tasting with little energy/calories for us but plentiful for the intestinal flora.

I believe it's body fat reducing characteristics are related to A. muciniphila and many of our co-evolved ancestral core microbiota which have co-adapted to eating the diverse spectrum of plant polysaccharides on Earth that we feed them (oligos, inulin, xylan, arabinoxylan, lignin, arabinogalactan, beta-glucan, hemicelluloses, pectin, glucomannan, etc). They have diversified above and beyond raw resistant starch. You don't need a lot. Oligofructose and inulin-like fructans are the second most abundant 'fiber' on the planet, found in over 36,000 plants in our global ecosystem in roots, tubers, legumes, leaves, grains, agave, cacti, and stems. Tiny amounts go a LOOOOONG way.

In humans, A. muciniphila is 'missing' in the gut fingerprint of obesity, T2 diabetes and IBD, to name just a few post-industrial conditions. When I look at a gut profile, what I see matches the studies; in obese/weight-challenged, A muciniphila is low. In lean, abundant.

"In the article that appeared on 13 May in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research team concluded that the bacteria are less frequent in mice with induced obesity and with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. Furthermore, administering rather indigestible fibres such as oligofructose, known for its advantageous effect on intestinal biota, resulted in a recovery of the Akkermansia population in mice. The presence of the bacteria strengthens the intestinal barrier and is also inversely correlated with weight increase (fat storage), inflammation reactions in fatty tissues and insulin resistance.

To check that, the researchers administered Akkermansia bacteria to ordinary mice on various diets. With a normal diet, no effect was noticed but in mice that became overweight as a result of a high-fat diet, the Akkermansia bacteria caused a reduction in fat development and associated metabolic defects, without affecting food intake. After the administration of Akkermansia bacteria, there was an increase in endocannabinoid levels, a substance that ensures blood glucose remains at the correct level. In addition, the intestinal barrier function was strengthened. Only intact, living bacteria produced these results; the researchers noticed that bacteria that had been heated beforehand had no effect." Sciencedaily

Back to Healthy, Elite Rugby Players With Spectacular Guts

The athletes were in training. They exercised, built lean muscle mass (biomarker: CK), burned fat, and consumed way more fiber (conventional) 39 g/day v 20-something g/day by controls. They ate vastly higher volumes of food in general (exceeding 4400 kcal/day) because they ate more starches/carbs + vegetables/fruit + MEAT.

They ate way way way more protein including whey protein from powders (sulfur source) than controls  (median 2.4 g/kg v. 1.1-1.6 g/day in controls) and protein intake was found to be directly related to healthier guts/diversity. I think dietary protein is awesome as long as we achieve enough fiber and exercise/oxygenation/lymph-circulation... Dietary protein is aligned to our carnivorous guts and ancestral history. Given however after mass microbial extinctions in our guts that are unparalleled in the history of mammals, we do not digest as well as our ancient predecessors. Suboptimal gut health is marked by poor gastric acid secretion (hence GERD/heartburn!), low elastase and other pancreatic enzyme secretion, loss of gall bladder function/stones, poor fecal pH, lack of gut microbial fermentation and small intestinal permeability/inflammation. We are missing our ancestral core bacteria, yeasts and wild spirochetes that keep us healthy and digestion smooth and unfettered.

Dietary protein consumption also correlated with muscle mass (CK). As you're probably aware muscle is a good biomarker for longevity (sarcopenia, less longevity -- please see Jamie Scott's AHS14 Presentation).

I like how this study by Clarke and his University College Cork colleagues put a framework to muscle, diet, exercise and gut health here. These guys were in intense conditioning for their sport... no junk or 'snacks' compared with controls. Diet was apparently clean and dialed for optimal glycolytics, POWER SPRINTS and chronic cardio. Only water polo players might give them a run for their money lol.

"The athletes are an exceptional group in terms of their dietary intake, fitness/endurance and now we know, in relation to their gut microbiota! This high diversity is particularly linked with exercise and protein consumption and suggests that eating specific proteins and/or exercise can provide a means of increasing microbial diversity in the gut.

This is the first report that exercise increases microbial diversity in humans. While we and others have previously shown that diet influences microbial diversity, we can now report that protein consumption, in particular, positively correlates with microbial diversity." Source

Other related news:
How exercise may affect gut hormones, weight loss

FARMACY: Leras Family Farm in Santa Rosa

Local, Organic, Sustainable Farms like Leras Family Farm

My kids and I had the pleasure to spend a day at the Leras Family Farm in Santa Rosa last Tuesday. We had a total blast! We played with the two baby calves with Zak (intern), fed slop to the Red Waddle pigs, amusingly watched 24 piglets forage and root on their acreage, studied Danielle the intern making cheese, picked basil, berries and grapes, drank their kombucha and chased and played with their beautiful soy-free, free range chickens in two coups.

Thanks for Dave, WAPF chapter leader in Berkeley for helping to set up!

Mike Leras with my d Hannah and I

FARMACY

What's so awesome about the ecology and environment of an organic farm like Michael Leras and his family's (gorgeous wife Jill (former model), 2 sons, doggy Brownie) is not only the inclusive recycling of all the nutrients from produce and leftovers but the completeness of the system: animals + plants. It's a true farmacopeia of happiness nutrients that every brain, gut and body needs.

Michael and his family go to Three Stone Hearth in Berkeley for families to pick up their fresh products like soy-free eggs, pork, grassfed beef, etc every week on Wed night and Saturdays.



Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy

"Soil Microbes and Human Health: Did you know that there’s a natural antidepressant in soil? It’s true. Mycobacterium vaccae is the substance under study and has, indeed, been found to mirror the effect on neurons that drugs like Prozac provide. The bacterium is found in soil and may stimulate serotonin production, which makes you relaxed and happier. Studies were conducted on cancer patients and they reported a better quality of life and less stress.
Serotonin has been linked to such problems as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar problems. The bacterium appears to be a natural antidepressant in soil and has no adverse health effects. These antidepressant microbes in soil may be as easy to use as just playing in the dirt.
Most avid gardeners will tell you that their landscape is their “happy place” and the actual physical act of gardening is a stress reducer and mood lifter. The fact that there is some science behind it adds additional credibility to these garden addicts’ claims. The presence of a soil bacteria antidepressant is not a surprise to many of us who have experienced the phenomenon ourselves. Backing it up with science is fascinating, but not shocking, to the happy gardener.
Mycrobacterium antidepressant microbes in soil are also being investigated for improving cognitive function, Crohn’s disease and even rheumatoid arthritis." Read more HERE. Hat tip: Keith Bell.

Sorry. Resistant Starch is Unlikely to Miraculously Cause Weight Loss and Body Fat Loss

Update: Videocast THE SCOOP ON YOUR POOP at 3pm PST Thursday. Please continue to submit questions and I'll answer live and 1-2 that are posted. Thank you!



What's In Your Gut Zoo? Missing Leanness and Longevity?

If you are plateauing on fat loss, consider the gut microbes that can hijack and hamper your health success. The 5 mass extinctions of the gut microbiota lead to the loss of 'the limbs of the microbiota' that are attributed to leanness and longevity.

Consider that we co-evolved with them for millions if not billions of years and it is a relationship that requires nurturing, replenishment, and proper attention. Consider that for optimal body fat recomposition, the bugs residing/missing in the gut may be more important than the fuel. You may be feeding empty zoo cages in the modern age or worse, caged vipers, rogues and renegades.


Resistant Starch is Highly Unlikely to Miraculously Lead to Fat Loss

Recently Dr. Nett at Kresser's office did a post about how raw starch RS2 may improve weight loss. How resistant starch (RS) can help is very very very indirect. Let's talk about the entire community of the gut and c-o-n-t-e-x-t.

I have not seen raw starch RS2 miraculously induce fat loss in obese human animals. I can list the people who are still 'challenged' (like I was for a while!).  Unfortunately there are few anecdotes, human RCTs, human cases or internet stories that back up instant weight loss with raw starch RS2 -- yes -- because I've looked.  RS is just a fiber. Digestible complex carbs are fiber too -- 10% escape into the colon and feed the microbiota quite well. If the diet is 150-200 grams carbs, then 15 to 20 grams will be pure fuel for the colon flora. Nice, eh? That's half of our 'fiber quotient'.

If you want to lose weight and break body fat plateaus, the fuel and fibers for the flora that have evidence of successful human trials and RCT outcomes are:
--arabinoxylan (psyllium, whole GF grains)
--pulses (legumes = rich in phytochemicals, RS3, fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins)
--oat bran
--beta glucan (carrots, celery, radish, oats, mushrooms)
--glucomannan, konjac, etc.


RS has none ...and coprophagic rodent studies don't count. So much promise, no teeth.

All fiber is not created equal.



Sorry. Raw Starch RS2 Alone So Far Has No Weight Loss Results in Human Studies

These researchers Johnston et al found "Resistant starch consumption did not significantly affect body weight, fat storage in muscle, liver or visceral depots. There was also no change with resistant starch feeding on vascular function or markers of inflammation. However, in subjects randomized to consume the resistant starch, insulin sensitivity improved compared with the placebo group (P = 0.023)...Unlike in animal models, diabetes prevention does not appear to be directly related to changes in body adiposity, blood lipids or inflammatory markers. Further research to elucidate the mechanisms behind this change in insulin sensitivity in human subjects is required."

Low (15g) and high dose (30g) RS2 for 4 weeks didn't induce fat loss either but improved insulin resistance in obese men, not women (Maki et al, 2012).

Neither did 25 grams refined RS3 supplementation (Novelose330), but high-protein/40% carbs resulted in all body fat parameters pivoting: improved insulin sensitivity, body fat loss and weight loss in human subjects with metabolic syndrome (Lobley et al, 2013).

Neither did 40 grams RS2 supplementation for 12 weeks in T2 diabetes (Bodinham et al, 2014). Strikingly, this study also showed that HAM-RS raised triglycerides in a statistically significant manner and failed to lower body fat, Hgba1c, blood glucoses or improve central insulin resistance at the liver.

(However, a whole food supplement which contains a broad spectrum of microbial superfoods, native banana starch flour (NBS) 24 g/day induced 1.2 kg weight loss, improved waist-hip ratios and insulin sensitization in T2 diabetic, obese females after 4 weeks, contained only 8 grams RS2 (Ble-Castillo, 2010). Version B of BIONIC FIBER in the 7 steps. Green banana and plantains have been shown to heal ulcers and infectious colitis.)



Root Causes of Excessive Fat Gain and Obesity

What does work is getting to the root causes of obesity, fat gain and dysregulated metabolism. Humans are complex. Obesity and evolution are intertwined. For all life on earth including plants and insects, we are superorganisms living in symbiosis with an entire community of microbes. The microbial community can actually hijack and hamper health when it is diseased. OTOH the microbial community can be epically collaborative in optimizing longevity and health in our co-evolved microbe-host interaction that has been ongoing for literally hundreds of millions of years, if not billions.

Many examples of a collaborative community exist where mutual support and mutual exchange of energy and spirit co-exist. Local, sustainable, organic farms that bring our livestock, eggs and produce are my favorite examples. The paleo/primal hood and the ancestral AHS14 are others.

Fighting Obesity With Bacteria
Hat tip: M

Body Fat Reduction: Mice Cohousing and Ancestral Core Bacterial 'Invasion'

I talked about the cohousing experiment by Ridaura et al at AHS. They took gut microbiota from human twins that were discordant for obesity (one twin lean, one twin obese) and put them into GF (germ free) rodents. Later they cohoused lean with obese mice and observed the changes after a fat inducing diet (high saturated fat) v. high fiber, low fat diet. The results were not surprising and showed the compelling power of poop. Why did cohousing work?

(Coprophagy = PROBIOTICS)

On the fat inducing diet, lean mice didn't get as obese and the obese mice become super obese.

On the higher plant polysaccharide diet (LoSF-HiFV), both the obese and lean controls naturally had improvements in body fat recomposition. The lean controls loss fat mass (and some lean mass). The obese controls loss fat mass and gained lean mass.

See below. The cohoused animals had notable changes which make this study an epic study for the gut: the lean cohoused mice got jacked by eating the poop of the obese mice, eg they gained fat mass on the high fiber diet. The obese mice however upon cohousing, high plant fuel diet, and attaining the 'lean core microbiota' (mini fecal transplant) via coprophagy/cohousing GAINED LEAN MASS AND LOST SIGNIFICANT BODY FAT MASS.

I think the true beauty of the Ridaura study is that the shift in microbiota + diet reflected in metabolic changes, insulin sensitivity and body fat recompositioning. The gut shifts were tracked and the invasion of the ancestral core microbes from the lean mice into the obese mice was directly related to the body fat changes.

Ridaura et al 2013
LoSF-HiFV, low fat high fiber diet

Healthy Invasion of the Core LEAN Human Gut Microbiota

Fig 3A and 4C shows the shift in the gut that correspond to the lean phenotype. The roadmap to healthy body fat recomposition is shown here. An 'invasion' of the lean 'poop' (mini fecal transplant) into the obese mice are dissected into just a handful of species, of which two are part of the ancestral core that I talk about at AHS. All the species below are great when they are coming from a 'healthy community' eg happy, healthy, horny/hormonally-young mouse.

Enriched in mice colonized with or  invaded by members of a Ln microbiota
Bacteroides uniformis*
Bacteroides vulgatus* -- one of the 7 ancestral core
Eubacterium desmolans* -- E. rectale is one of the 7 ancestral core

Parabacteroides merdae*

Alistipes putredinis* -- one of the 7 ancestral core

Ruminococcus callidus

Ruminococcus bromii -- one of the 7 ancestral core

Clostridium symbiosum

Roseburia unclassified -- one of the 7 ancestral core

Clostridium ramosum

Akkermansia muciniphila ~~ high in hawwt, high lean mass rugby players w/low inflammation

Ruminococcus obeum

Ruminococcus sp. 14531

Eubacterium ventriosum

Betaproteobacteria unclassified

Burkholderiales unclassified

etc

Here's the 7 core ancestral microbiota based on Julien Tap's work:

Actinobacteria 

Bifidobacteria longum

Clostridia cluster IV

F. prausnitzii

Ruminococcous bromii 

Clostridia cluster XIVa

Roseburia intestinalis

Eubacteria rectale

Bacteroidetes

Bacteroides vulgatus

Alistipes putredinis

To Lose Epic Body Fat: My Top 10 E≠MC2

1. Fix your lovely gut (1/3-1/2 will do well with my 7 steps which both Dave Asprey and Mark Sisson have tried)

2. Introduce lean-gut-like probiotics (Prescript Assist, Body Ecology, ThreeLac, smoothies with organic dirty beets, letting your lean dog lick you, working at organic farms, etc)

3. Raise your metabolism
--exercise, yes move your cute *ss instead of standing on body vibrators, consider ten thousand steps daily

4. Raise your metabolism
--fix your adrenals and anabolic hormones (both men and women need progesterone and testosterone and titrated estrogen; get the anabolic up, get the estrogens down. detox xenoestrogens that make your moobies grow and cause cancer, inflammation and difficult to battle body fat)

5. Raise your metabolism
--lowering mental/emo inflammation by embracing being happy, optimistic, and grateful; flooding yourself with oxytocin (hug, hold, kiss your family and friends)

6. Raise your metabolism
--fix hypothyroidism (iodine, selenium, exercise, remove mercury, don't over-exercise, sleep well, avoid ketosis if increasing peripheral insulin resistance)

7. Feed your gut well
--plant fibers, the whole spectrum of ancestral fibers (roots, onions, leeks, tubers, beets, carrots, legumes, gluten-free soaked grains)

8. Plant polyphenols lower inflammation as well as tighten up gut epithelium and tight junctions (bilberry, citrus, pectin from legumes and apples, etc)

9. Lower non-ancestral stress

10. Weed your gut
--probiotics
--fiber, complex carbohydrates (low glycemic index), resistant starch
--in obesity, several overgrowths have been detected with consistency and reliability. Get ride of these. The species are listed in Ridaura's article and my AHS14 slides. The lean mice (from human discordant twins) do not have these strains and when they were invaded, they gained body fat even on the high fiber low fat diet. In human gut sequencing studies, overgrowths of yeasts, protozoa, parasites and pathogenic bacteria are found. Fix these by seeing an integrative and functional medicine practitioner for stool/urine testing and appropriate care

Phytanic Acid (Red Meat, Dairy, Seafood): Binds PPAR-α and RXR

'...Like all things come from the sun'
referencing all the food at the table,

daughter Natalie

ATB Sunset Girl

Courtesy: Youtube.com

Food, Sunlight and Nuclear Receptors

I've discussed RXR/RAR (carotenoids/ vitamin A receptor), VDR (vitamin D receptor) and PPAR-α (saturated fat/omega-3 receptor). These are a constellation of receptors found in the nucleus of all cells which control growth, maturation, reproduction, proliferation, apoptosis (cell suicide), autophagy (cell re-cycling) and inflammation.  Bioactive components of our food and hormone vitamin D from sunlight exposure (or organ meat consumption) bind and control nuclear receptors.

See prior posts:
PPAR -- Dagger in the Heart of CAD and all Chronic Conditions
Benefits of Grassfed Butter





Phytanic Acid Generates Carnitine

A recent study looked at the level of phytanic acid (PA), a
fatty acid found in red meat, dairy fat, and seafood which has activity on receptors known to control and regulate cancer, inflammation, triglycerides/cholesterol and even energy status in skeletal muscles. It may have several mechanisms for health regulation. One mechanism found is that phytanic acid is an agonist for several nuclear receptors including RXR and PPAR-α. I would not be surprised if it has affinity and binds other receptors as well.

We don't synthesize phytanic acid on our own; we can only source from food (animal based). Phytanic acid and its metabolite pristanic acid contribute to the activation of carnitine in peroxisomes which are later transported to mitochondria for fatty acid oxidation (burning and synthesis of energy, ATP). A lack of carnitine has been shown to lower mitochondrial processes and is significant factor in disease. Like phytanic acid, carnitine can mainly be sourced only from MEAT and seafood, not vegetables. We produce it but not very well. Many factors affect carnitine levels (kidney function, ACTH/cortisol, thyroid and diet. French authors write 'L-carnitine ensures regeneration of coenzyme A and is thus involved in energy metabolism. L-carnitine also ensures elimination of xenobiotic substances. Carnitine deficiencies are common.'  Photo credit: [1].

Do butter and bison do a body good?

YESSSSSS.




Chlorophyll Is Biotransformed into Phytanic Acid by Fish and Mammals

Apparently the chlorophyll content of the meat, seafood or dairy is what determines the amount of this important fatty acid, phytanic acid. 'PA (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid) is a branched-chain fatty acid generated by the oxidation of the phytol side chain of chlorophyll in mammals. Because humans cannot release phytol from chlorophyll, PA in the human body comes from dairy products and ruminant fats in the diet' [2]. Shore-based food such as fish, salmon, molluscs, snails and krill have significant levels too since these consume smaller fish which consume chlorophyll from algae and green phytoplankton. Phytanic acid is also found in menhaden oils. There is a vague association with prostate cancer and levels of phytanic acid however the below authors discuss "the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk." Phytanic acid is metabolized in peroxisomes -- little fatty storage droplets where enzymes breakdown and metabolize fatty acids. Many of the metabolic breakdown products then go to the mitochondria to provide energy, intermediaries for the respiratory and energy producing complexes, and/or to absorb and quench ROS (reactive oxygen species, aka POLLUTION generated from energy production). If mitochondria are working awry, I suspect phytanic acid accumulation occurs because it is not being appropriately metabolized which could be genomic or post-genomic (Refsum syndrome).



Evolutionary Medicine: Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Many of our chronic diseases are a result of mitochondrial dysfunction -- our tiny nuclear power plants are on the 'blink'...often preferring glycolytic combustion over superior fatty-acid burning.  Mitochondria provide awesome power but can wreak untold destruction as well.

--compromised controls, directions and regulation for proper nuclear plant functioning (AMPK, cAMP)
--lacking power grid efficiency (leptin, insulin, cortisol, SIRT1, adiponectin, secretin, fertuin-A)
--malfunctioning or missing power plant cogs and parts (minerals, carnitine, AcCoA/pantothenic acid, omega-3)
--deficiency of buffering, recycling and containment of nuclear waste (coenzyme Q10/ ubiquinol)
--lacking managers and communicators (cell membrane stability and communication: omega-3 vitamins A B D E K2 thyroid cortisol estrogen progesterone DHEA pregnenolone testosterone saturated fat etc)
--excessive disruptions (high carb diets, endocrine disruptors, PCBs, heavy metals)





From Bacteria 4.5+ bya To Mitochondria

Other strategies to keep mitochondria free of breakdowns -- lifestyles and diet aligned with our evolutionary past from 4.5+ Billion Years Ago:

--lowish carbish (~150 grams or less net effective carbs I like...varying on goals, gut, adrenals, etc)
--saturated fat (~20% or more -- dietary or butt-sourced)
--low fructose
--low omega-6
--high omega-3
--high phytanic acid *wink*
--organic shore-based and grassfed/pasture-based fat and protein
--organic mineral rich plants, berries, nuts, meat/fish/fowl
--intermittent feast v. fast (seasonality)
--optimal hormesis status
--low pollution (air, water, mind)
--enjoyment of culture, music, arts, spiritual enlightenment
--engaging in community and social networks
--movement: rapid intense and languid continuous (yeah S*X counts)


Prior animal pharm:
You are only as strong as your weakest mitochondria...





Health and Food Connection

When I consume ghee (clarified butter), egg yolks, veggies, adequate starches and adequate grassfed beef, pork and lamb, I notice more and easy weight maintenance and improved muscle composition. Mental and physical performance are pretty excellent too. How do you break down food and its effects on mitochondria? Researchers are trying and it's a good thing....

Phytanic acid--an overlooked bioactive fatty acid in dairy fat?

Hellgren LI. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Mar;1190(1):42-9.

Abstract
Phytanic acid is a multibranched fatty acid with reported retinoid X receptor (RXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist activity, which have been suggested to have preventive effects on metabolic dysfunctions. Serum level in man is strongly correlated to the intake of red meat and dairy products and the concentration in these products is strongly correlated to the chlorophyll content in the feed of the cattle. Available data suggest that phytanic acid is a natural agonist for RXR at physiological concentrations, while it is more likely that it is the metabolite pristanic acid, rather than phytanic acid itself, that acts as PPAR-alpha agonist. Animal studies show increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, after intake of phytol, the metabolic precursor of phytanic acid, but it is at present not possible to deduce whether phytanic acid is useful in the prevention of ectopic lipid deposition. Phytanic acid is an efficient inducer of the expression of uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1). UCP1 is expressed in human skeletal muscles, were it might be important for the total energy balance. Therefore, phytanic acid may be able to stimulate energy dissipation in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid levels in serum are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, but the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk. However, certain individuals, with specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene for the enzyme alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase, might be susceptible to raised phytanic acid levels. PMID: 20388135

Phytanic Acid (Cheese, Butter) Human RCT

How does phytanic acid perform as a drug? In a tiny Denmark RCT, this was tested.  The control group however also received phytanic acid therefore the results were substantially diluted out IMHO. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, 4 wk, parallel intervention study 14 healthy young subjects were given 45 g milk fat/d from test butter and cheese with 0.24 wt% phytanic acid or a control diet with 0.13 wt% phytanic acid. The outcomes were positive and associate with metrics that indicate improved mitochondrial functioning (better insulin sensitivity, more fat oxidation, decreased glycolysis).   The lipoprotein changes were impressive but unfortunately the study was too small for meaningful stats. HDL-cholesterol increased by 10% in only one month.  No drug achieves this... or without killing patients or raising BG and diabetes (particularly Crestor).  Is it all phytanic acid?  I dunno...  The researchers enriched the test dairy products by feeding the cows more green material. Subsequently the omega-3 to omega-6 profile in test butter and cheese also improved. They discussed, 'The test butter with the highest content of phytanic acid, also had the highest content of α-linolenic acid [omega-3] and a lower n-6:n-3 ratio of about 1.8. This is in agreement with the higher proportion of clover and grass in the green feeding regime.'   Notwithstanding the beneficial numbers, butter and cheese have other proven bioactive food components which improve heart health, inflammation, insulin resistance and cancer risks, principally, cholesterol, vitamin A/retinol, saturated fatty acids including butyrate, omega-3, taurine (if raw), stigmasterol (if raw; Wulzen factor), folate (5-MTHF) and vitamin K2 (menaquinones).

Results:
(a) HDL increase 10% 
(b) Insulin reduction 15%
(c) TG reduction 22% 

References

1.Verhoeven NM et al. Phytanic acid and pristanic acid are oxidized by sequential peroxisomal and mitochondrial reactions in cultured fibroblasts. The Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 39, 66-74, January 1998. [Free PDF here]

2. Cell proliferation inhibition and alterations in retinol esterification induced by phytanic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
Tang XH, Suh MJ, Li R, Gudas LJ.
J Lipid Res. 2007 Jan;48(1):165-76.

3. Novel branched-chain fatty acids in certain fish oils.
Ratnayake WM, Olsson B, Ackman RG.
Lipids. 1989 Jul;24(7):630-7.

4. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in Fibromyalgia. MINIREVIEW.
Cordero MD, Miguel MD, Carmona-López I, Bonal P, Campa F, Moreno-Fernández AM.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010 Apr 29;31(2):169-173.

5. Oxidative stress: emerging mitochondrial and cellular themes and variations in neuronal injury.
Higgins GC, Beart PM, Shin YS, Chen MJ, Cheung NS, Nagley P.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20 Suppl 2:453-73.

6. Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy activation in blood mononuclear cells of fibromyalgia patients: implications in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Cordero MD, De Miguel M, Moreno Fernández AM, Carmona López IM, Garrido Maraver J, Cotán D, Gómez Izquierdo L, Bonal P, Campa F, Bullon P, Navas P, Sánchez Alcázar JA.
Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(1):R17. Free PMC ArticleFree text

7. Connecting the Dots: Molecular and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Type 2 Diabetes.
Goh KP, Sum CF.
Curr Diabetes Rev. 2010 Jun 9.

8. Fetal programming of atherosclerosis: possible role of the mitochondria.
Leduc L, Levy E, Bouity-Voubou M, Delvin E.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2010 Apr;149(2):127-30.

9. Spinal cord repair in MS: does mitochondrial metabolism play a role?
Ciccarelli O, Altmann DR, McLean MA, Wheeler-Kingshott CA, Wimpey K, Miller DH, Thompson AJ.
Neurology. 2010 Mar 2;74(9):721-7.

10. Antibacterial free fatty acids: activities, mechanisms of action and biotechnological potential.
Desbois AP, Smith VJ.
Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2010 Feb;85(6):1629-42.

11. Eating, exercise, and "thrifty" genotypes: connecting the dots toward an evolutionary understanding of modern chronic diseases.
Chakravarthy MV, Booth FW.
J Appl Physiol. 2004 Jan;96(1):3-10. [Free PDF here]

12. Glycolysis: a bioenergetic or a survival pathway?
Bolaños JP, Almeida A, Moncada S.
Trends Biochem Sci. 2010 Mar;35(3):145-9.

13. Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and the evolutionary paradox of the polycystic ovary syndrome: a fertility first hypothesis.
Corbett SJ, McMichael AJ, Prentice AM.
Am J Hum Biol. 2009 Sep-Oct;21(5):587-98.

14. Liver fattening during feast and famine: an evolutionary paradox.
van Ginneken VJ.
Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(5):924-8.

15. Biochem pages http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/fatty-acid-oxidation.html

16. Carnitine: an overview of its role in preventive medicine.
Kendler BS.
Prev Med. 1986 Jul;15(4):373-90. Review.

17. [L-carnitine: metabolism, functions and value in pathology]
Jacob C, Belleville F.
Pathol Biol (Paris). 1992 Nov;40(9):910-9. Review. French.

18. The metabolism of phytanic acid and pristanic acid in man: a review.
Verhoeven NM, Wanders RJ, Poll-The BT, Saudubray JM, Jakobs C.
J Inherit Metab Dis. 1998 Oct;21(7):697-728. Review.

19. Phytanic acid--an overlooked bioactive fatty acid in dairy fat?
Hellgren LI.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Mar;1190:42-9.

20. Effect of dairy fat on plasma phytanic acid in healthy volunteers - a randomized controlled study.  [Free PDF here.]
Werner LB, Hellgren LI, Raff M, Jensen SK, Petersen RA, Drachmann T, Tholstrup T.
Lipids Health Dis. 2011 Jun 10;10:95.

21. Bioactive food components, inflammatory targets, and cancer prevention.
Kim YS, Young MR, Bobe G, Colburn NH, Milner JA.
Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2009 Mar;2(3):200-8.

Opus One -- Coprophagia (VeganAnimals Eat Poop For B12)

Industrial, Mass-Produced,
Round-Up (pesticide)-laden-corn-fed Beef, Anyone?
'Opus One' By Madison Park

Crossfit Helped Me Wean-Off Cheap Costco Meat

So this is the song that actually got me off grocery store and Costco (American warehouse) beef, chicken, eggs, pork and turkey.

Grassfed, local, organic beef and pastured pork ROCKKKKS.

My Crossfit gym (diablocrossfit.com) was the first place I got our grassfed beef. Collectively a couple families shared one or two steers. About ~2 yrs ago I bought reasonably inexpensively a 1/4 steer (about 60 to 80 lbs) at ~4.99 to $5.50 per lb which included ALL cuts but no organ meats. The osso bucco cuts go fast! Really it's a fantastic deal and beats Trader Joe's in freshness. But TJ's still is fine.

In addition, we get our grassfed beef, organs, pork, bacon, and leaf lard from:
--Berkeley Bowl which includes Eel River (3 varieties of 100% grassfed)
--local farmer's markets: 100% grassfed Holden Ranch and Prather Ranch (grainhead-finished) which gave us a tour last Dec which was AWESOME at their Mt. Shasta ranch


FYI LARD MAKES THE BEST CANDY CIGARETTES (e.g. almond flour cookies)!

See prior animal pharm:
Grassfed Happy Cows




Only Animal Foods Contain Vitamin B12

Nutritional Fact: Humans require vitamin B12 for neural tissue growth, regeneration and maintenance. Without B12 temporary and permanent brain and peripheral nerve damage occurs. This is known as Wernicke's in alcoholics (who lose B1 and B12 via rapid alcohol damage, degradation and malnutrition) and in vegans who do not consume adequately from diverse broad spectrum microbial food sources including brewer's yeast and other fermented foods. Poop? Yes that is apparently a source widely utilized in the animal kingdom and small children w/ access to their diapers. Gut dysbiosis also predisposes all ages to B12 deficiency. An unhappy gut leads to an unhappy gut flora which are unable to conjugate and preserve optimal absorption of B vitamins, including B12.

Many drugs deplete B12 by affecting the gut flora and/or causing gut dysbiosis: oral contraceptives, synthetic hormones, stomach acid-blockers (Prilosec, Pepcid, etc), metformin, ANTIBIOTICS ANTIBIOTICS ANTIBIOTICS including those in mass-produced industrial beef/pork/chicken/turkey, et cetera.

Foods deplete B12 by causing gut dysbiosis and include: the biggest offender -- GLUTEN which is found in barley rye WHEAT WHEAT and especially high-gluten(baking)-wheat and the Monsanto wheat being shipped to drought-ridden Russia. Good, less wheat for S.A.D. Americans.




Coprophagia -- The Eating of 'Poop' Vitamin B12 Source

Thank you to Peter at Hyperlipid for below link and conversation started by my FAVORITE ANIMAL and PALEOKING, Richard Nikoley:
Watch this... *GROSS* Gorilla coprophagia...

Nikoley breaks down the SCIENCE for nutritionally-challenged, fat-phobe, meat-phobe Dr. Seale 'any vitamin B12 present in any animal foods is only from bacterial contamination' HERE.

Meat Science: Meat and Omega-3 as ACE-Inhibitors

T. Colin Campbell: No Longer Pied-Piper?

So... Again the data speaks volumes and the diminutive Ms. Mingers has put the final dagger in the vegetarian-low-sat-fat-fairy tale spun by so-called academic Campbell. The action is here: The China Study, My Response by Denise Minger.

You know if my teeth, eye color and health were ruined by a low saturated fat, low cholesterol, no meat, high soy, high grain vegetarian diet... I'd be mildly pissed.

And hungry...

For M-E-A-T . . . !



Meat Science

Added to NCBI PubMed in Feb, this newer journal features research and science in MEAT. I came across two articles here regarding protein from meat and beef which behave as ACE-inhibitors, one of the drugs deployed for hypertension, afterload reduction in heart failure and kidney protection in Type 1 (T1)and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals. The mechanism of action of these drugs is blocking a pro-inflammatory-associated enzyme known as angiotension converting enzyme, ACE. Many peptides (proteins that are short sequences) are found in animal, seafood and plants that we consume that, in fact, have ACE-inhibitory action in mammalian systems. Even breastmilk contains lactoferrin which may inhibit ACE.

(1) A review of meat protein hydrolysates and hypertension.
Ahhmed AM, Muguruma M.
Meat Sci. 2010 Sep;86(1):110-8.

(2) Purification and identification of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from beef hydrolysates
A. Jang and M. Lee
Meat Science, Volume 69, Issue 4, Pages 653-661.


Clinical M-E-A-T Series *haa*:
o Meat as Medicine: Grassfed v. Conventional
o Phytanic Acid in Grassfed Meat: Binds PPAR-α and RXR (potent anti-inflammatory controls)


Other related meat science and research:
o Antihypertensive Activities of Peptides Derived from Porcine Skeletal Muscle Myosin in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
o Novel Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Boneless Chicken Leg Meat
o Antihypertensive effects and endothelial progenitor cell activation by intake of chicken collagen hydrolysate in pre- and mild-hypertension. [Endothelial progenitor cells are required for cellular and organ regeneration -- prior animal pharm Chicken Soup, Bone Marrow, and EPCs for organ regeneration]




Complex Chronic Diseases and ACE/AII Activity

Diseases since the DAWN OF TIME typically involve stress (physical, mental), trauma, infection, hormone imbalances, omega-3/omega-6 imbalances and elevated insulin, are associated with elevated ACE and AII activity. ACE is a membrane-bound peptidyl dipeptidase known to act on a variety of protein substrates in the extracellular space. Known functions are the formation of angiotensin II and the degradation of bradykinin. ACE has an indispensable role in animal physiology: aids in maintaining homeostasis and preventing death during duress activated by mammalian 'fight or flight', our hard-wired mechanism for survival. A sharp cascade of neuroendocrine and circulatory chemicals are released in stressful/imbalanced situations, as the body is trying to keep blood flow to the brain, heart and vital organs, heart pumping activity and other vital processes (see below diagram). ACE catalyzes the conversion from (less active) Angiotensin I to (more active) Angiotensin II. Do we require ACE and Angiotensin II? Of course, this system required to clear damaged tissue, maintain perfusion of tissues and organs and activate the immune system for healing after trauma and infection. Tourgeman discusses the role of Angiotension II here: ' (a) increases pressure within the kidneys, (b) increases fibrosis (scarring), (c) increases the recruitment of pro-inflammatory white blood cells, (d), increases the production of inflammatory cytokines (chemicals), and (e) increases cell proliferation.'

Courtesy RE Klabunde PhD Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Controlling Insulin, ACE and AII

Epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, cortisol, renin, aldosterone and other adrenal gland secretions are prompted acutely on a short-term basis. Under high insulin and chronic conditions, these powerful adrenal hormones and chemicals are inappropriately turned on long-term.

Any studies?

Frassetto et al (EJCN, 2009) showed that pre-hypertension normalized after 10 days on a hunter-gather paleolithic diet (grain-free, legume-free) in overweight men and women aged 18+ yo. This study was superby in reducing HOMA, insulin resistance, and basal insulin secretion by ~70%.

Subsequently, the systolic blood pressure reduced by 2.6 mmgHg (NS) diastolic blood pressure dropped from 71 by 3.1 mmHg (p=0.006); this is of huge magnitudes greater than those produced in the VAST MAJORITY of clinical anti-hypertensive drugs.

In younger patients the diastolic BP is more difficult to modify and lower; flips as we get older and arteries stiffen up.

A broad Cochrane review found "We found 92 trials that randomly assigned participants to take either an ACE inhibitor or an inert substance (placebo). These trials evaluated the blood pressure lowering ability of 14 different ACE inhibitors in 12 954 participants. The trials followed participants for approximately 6 weeks (though people are typically expected to take anti-hypertension drugs for the rest of their lives). The blood pressure lowering effect was modest. There was an 8-point reduction in the upper number that signifies the systolic pressure and a 5-point reduction in the lower number that signifies the diastolic pressure."

Again in the hunter-gatherer paleolithic diet (granted they were not yet hypertensive, but on the road there), IN ONLY DAYS of diet modification achieved statistically significant blood pressure reduction.

On this evolutionary/paleo diet, treatment participants consumed eggs, M-E-A-T, or seafood at EVERY MEAL.

Harmful?

No.

Healing.

And frequently and highly observed in individuals who lower their insulin levels and adopt an anti-inflammatory evo/paleo diet (and if necessary take antioxidants like omega-3, zinc, magnesium, etc).



Pharmaceuticals Do Not Work

IMHO ACE-inhibitor and ARB pharmaceuticals hardly at all or only marginally improve chronic disease processes. Unlike food components, drugs are strong. Artificial substances foreign to mammalian systems (xenobiotics) are not metabolized and eliminated in the same fashion as food components thereby potently binding and staying around quite a long duration. Besides binding one single receptor, they may inevitably activate or inhibit a vast variety of other interrelated receptor/enzyme systems. That is how we are built. Everything is INTERRELATED. Approximately 17% of users of an ACE-inhibitor report a dry, non-productive cough as a result of bradykinins building up which cause inflammation in the lungs, consequently resulting in an asthma-related cough. Captopril is the least because it does not affect bradykinin expression as much.

Dry, high-bradykinin, annoying, lingering, inflammation-related cough in affected ACE-inhibitor drug-users? Good? Probably not despite purported 'benefits'.

Another adverse effect of ACE-inhibitors (and ARBs) is hypotension (low BP), kidney failure and elevated potassium. These drugs, like all drugs, can cause what they are purported to 'protect'...

Blocking the final angiotensin at the receptor level is not good either. Recently angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are associated with a 20% relative increase in new cancer occurrence (7.2% v. 6.0%) compared with placebo in clinical trials (Sipahi et al, Lancet Oncology 2010). Lung cancer was the highest reported solid organ cancer incidence.

Food? Side effects? Generally not unless a food allergy exists to other food components or it promotes excessive insulin or blood glucoses or n-6/n-3 imbalances (e.g. starches, fruit, industrial farmed high n-6 meat/seafood).






Other Beneficial Foods Functioning as ACE-Inhibitors

Nutrigenomics is a new field that helps align our DNA expression to optimizing health via food, food components, and nutraceuticals (omega-3 fish oil supplements, vitamin D supplements, K2 supplements, magnesium, zinc, trace minerals, digestive enzymes, probiotics, etc). I discussed earlier: Nutrigenomics and Hypertension. The below list is adapted (I removed gluten #19).

Note: many of these are shore-based foods with high minerals (iodine, zinc, magnesium, selenium, manganese, chromium, etc).
1. Garlic
2. Seaweed
3. Tuna protein/muscle
4. Sardine protein/muscle (Anchovies too: Caeasar dressing)
5. Hawthorne berry
6. Bonito flakes (fish protein)
7. Pycnogenol (historical used flavonoid used as tea from pine bark)
8. Casein
9. Hydrolyzed Whey protein
10. Sour milk (fermented dairy)
11. Gelatin (protein)
12. Sake (fermented rice wine)
13. Omega-3 essential fatty acids -- even epigenetically reverses hypertension in bred rats
14. Chicken Egg Yolks
15. Zein (lysine and tryptophan-free protein from maize)
16. Dried Salted Fish
17. Fish sauce (fermented product)
18. Zinc
19. Rice bran (fatty acids, proteins)
20. Fermented cheeses
21. Tubers: potatoes, tumeric/curcumin, Japanese yams, Chinese yams,
22. Lactoferrin (human breastmilk, cow/goat/sheep dairy)
23. Cocoa storage protein
24. Pork protein/muscle
25. Chicken protein/muscle
26. Beef protein/muscle



Omega-3 Reverses Damage from Stressors (Insulin, Salt, Fructose, Cold Storage) and Epigenetically in Low-Protein-Mother and Stressed-Mother Rats

Omega-3 fish oil is just amazing stuff; it reduces ACE by more than one mechanism of action... It reverses all kinds of damage in rat studies and human studies caused by the S.A.D. and neolithic living. Unfortunately for the great majority of human trials, the research doses are often so low to be clinically inconsequential and inconclusive. For accurate results, I believe the dose needs to be calculated per person and based on (1) omega-3 deficiency and (2) accumulated omega-6 incorporation into cell membranes and adipose/fat stores. Current ratios in the U.S. of n-6/n-3 in blood or tissue membranes is 30:1 to (!!) 40+:1 and getting worse as we speak as many outspoken physicians, cardiologists and government agencies are trying to promote more high omega-6 canola oil and other oxidized refined vegetable oils to replace saturated fats.

Dietary n-3 PUFAs affect the blood pressure rise and cardiac impairments in a hyperinsulinemia rat model in vivo.
Rousseau D, Héliès-Toussaint C, Moreau D, Raederstorff D, Grynberg A.
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2003 Sep;285(3):H1294-302.

Interrelationships between salt and fish oil in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Vaskonen T, Laakso J, Mervaala E, Sievi E, Karppanen H.
Blood Press. 1996 May;5(3):178-89.

Long-chain (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent metabolic and vascular disorders in fructose-fed rats.
Robbez Masson V, Lucas A, Gueugneau AM, Macaire JP, Paul JL, Grynberg A, Rousseau D.
J Nutr. 2008 Oct;138(10):1915-22.

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acid treatment on the recovery of cardiac function after cold storage of hyperlipidemic rats.
Ku K, Oku H, Kaneda T, Onoe M, Zhang Z.
Metabolism. 1999 Oct;48(10):1203-9.


Epigenetic implications:
Adult cardiorenal benefits from postnatal fish oil supplement in rat offspring of low-protein pregnancies.
Catta-Preta M, Oliveira DA, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA, Aguila MB.
Life Sci. 2006 Dec 23;80(3):219-29.

Maternal fish oil supplementation benefits programmed offspring from rat dams fed low-protein diet.
Gregório BM, Souza-Mello V, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA, Aguila MB.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jul;199(1):82.e1-7.

Developmental programming of renal glucocorticoid sensitivity and the renin-angiotensin system. [high omega-3 diet ameliorates high BP and high ACE activity in F1 generation born from rats given maternal-dexamethasone-dosing]
Wyrwoll CS, Mark PJ, Waddell BJ.
Hypertension. 2007 Sep;50(3):579-84. Free PDF.

The maternal diet during pregnancy programs altered expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: potential molecular mechanisms underlying the programming of hypertension in utero.
Bertram C, Trowern AR, Copin N, Jackson AA, Whorwood CB.
Endocrinology. 2001 Jul;142(7):2841-53.


Human study:
Fish oil [1.8 g EPA+DHA] prevents the adrenal activation elicited by mental stress in healthy [lean, young] men.
Delarue J, Matzinger O, Binnert C, Schneiter P, Chioléro R, Tappy L.
Diabetes Metab. 2003 Jun;29(3):289-95. Free PDF.

Happy Cows and Fish Oil

Here's an inspiring friend and buddy... Ms. Happy Cow like the rest of the happy cows in my neighborhood (see last photo from my camera). Everytime I run by one of the cows grazing on fresh clover and grass and absorbing full spectrum sunlight nearly all day, I have to resist the urge to put on... my dairy-maid outfit! And start milking! Here's the tribute to happy cows (and their DHA, EPA and CLA) which make ideas at the Animal Pharm (and my brain) possible...

This picture is courtesy of Bay Nature which showcases Mt. Diablo well in the background and more happy cows.

The benefits from dietary fat and protein sourced from grass- and clover-fed cows include hitting my favorite family of metabolic and proliferative switches in the mammalian kingdom... PPAR -- alpha gamma and delta! Not only does consumpation of dietary protein like beef and whey dairy protein activate mTOR and indirectly PPAR-delta, a natural fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found only in the meat and milk of pasture-fed cows like the ones in the picture also directly binds PPAR receptors. Like many mysteries and secrets revealed by my MILFy buff girlfriends, CLA grows muscle to be defined, lean, and tight. Body fat significantly decreases and minimizes (but it aint a miracle -- you still need to work a little, ie lift and pump and eat right). What girl (or TYPer) wouldn't want that? Additionally CLA reduces cancer and reduces proliferation.

CLA is produced by the bacteria in the bellies of ruminants who consume grass or clover (not hay or grains).

Food sources of CLA (and Vits K2, D3, A, Butyric acid, EPA, DHA) :

--pasture-fed cowmilk (at most good health food stores: Organic Pastures $6.99/qt)

--raw pasture-fed cowmilk (see above --contains 'Wulzen Factor' = heat-labile stigmasterol which is an unsaturated plant sterol which lowers cholesterol)

--pasture-fed cowmilk cheese, butter, raw butter oil

--pasture-fed goat milk, dairy products

Protein sources with CLA (and DHA+EPA/aka 'fish oil'):

--pasture-fed beef

--pasture-fed lamb

--pasture-fed sheep

--pasture-fed goat

--pasture-fed bison, wild bison

--wild deer, elk, antelope

Of course I like CLA because also it potently binds and activates PPAR -- all of them. Alpha, gamma and beta/delta. This is why my muscles feel so wonderful and grow well (after like... some strain and pain... scrubbing those plaquey-toilets at home).

CLA raises muscle mass with resistance training in humans and reduces weight in the obese humans (and in rats):

• Lowery LM, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid enhances muscle size and strength gains in novice bodybuilders. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 30(5):S182, 1998.
• Pinkoski C, et al. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation during resistance training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 Feb;38(2):339-48.
• Tarnopolsky MA, Safdar A. The potential benefits of creatine and conjugated linoleic acid as adjuncts to resistance training in older adults. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008 Feb;33(1):213-27. Review.
• Blankson H, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans. J Nutr. 2000 Dec;130(12):2943-8.
• Gaullier JM, et al. Six months supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid induces regional-specific fat mass decreases in overweight and obese. Br J Nutr. 2007 Mar;97(3):550-60.
• Gaullier JM, et al. Supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid for 24 months is well tolerated by and reduces body fat mass in healthy, overweight humans. J Nutr. 2005 Apr;135(4):778-84.
• Gaullier JM, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;79(6):1118-25.
• Risérus U, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduced abdominal adipose tissue in obese middle-aged men with signs of the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.
  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001 Aug;25(8):1129-35.
• Eyjolfson V, et al. Conjugated linoleic acid improves insulin sensitivity in young, sedentary humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 May;36(5):814-20.
• Liu LF, et al. Combined effects of rosiglitazone and conjugated linoleic acid on adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic steatosis in high-fat-fed mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Jun;292(6):G1671-82.
• Park Y, et al. Changes in body composition in mice during feeding and withdrawal of conjugated linoleic acid. Lipids. 1999 Mar;34(3):243-8.

Muller et al studied how if human vascular cells also may carry CLA as ruminant tissues do... guess what he found? Müller A, et al. Detection of conjugated dienoic fatty acids in human vascular smooth muscle cells treated with conjugated linoleic acid. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2005 Dec 15;1737(2-3):145-51.

"Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have attracted scientific interest due to their potential beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Recent studies demonstrated that conjugated metabolites of CLA are found in tissues of CLA-fed animals and cultured cells treated with CLA. This observation has gained in importance since it has recently been shown that these metabolites of CLA exert specific biological activities...Examination of fatty acid composition of total cell lipids ...revealed a significant isomer-specific formation of conjugated metabolites of CLA such as CD16:2, CD20:2 and CD22:2 in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells treated with various CLA isomers. Different CD16:2/CLA ratios between various CLA isomers as observed in the present study indicate that fatty acid metabolism is differently affected by the configuration of the double bonds. In conclusion, the observation from the present study suggests that the effects of CLA in vascular cells might not only be mediated by CLA itself but also by its conjugated metabolites."


Of course synthetic CLA is artificially created with hydrogenated cheap industrial veggie oils which is not likely to be as beneficial (longterm) as naturally derived CLA from whole foods.

RELATED LINKS:

• Higher concentrations of vitamin E, CLA, long change omega-3 fatty acids in pasture fed cow milk. Leiber F, et al. A study on the causes for the elevated n-3 fatty acids in cows' milk of alpine origin. Lipids. 2005 Feb;40(2):191-202. PMID: 15884768


• Grain (corn) feeding lowers CLA and content of other important nutrients like Butyric acid (4-carbon fatty acid) in the fat of cow milk. Stockdale CR, et al. Influence of pasture and concentrates in the diet of grazing dairy cows on the fatty acid composition of milk. J Dairy Res. 2003 Aug;70(3):267-76. PMID: 12916820


• Beef meat considered a source of 'omega-3s' EPA/DHA when pasture fed. Mann NJ, et al. Feeding regimes affect fatty acid composition in Australian beef cattle. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003;12 Suppl:S38. PMID: 15023647


• Ponnampalam EN, et al. Effect of feeding systems on omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and trans fatty acids in Australian beef cuts: potential impact on human health. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(1):21-9. PMID: 16500874