Why are PUFA’s so bad?

Health authorities and patient organizations all say we should eat PUFA – of which some of them are the worst metabolic toxins and promotors of aging and disease.

This tweet from Nassim Taleb inspired me to do look at some studies showcasing the dangers of too much poly unsaturated fatty acids in the diet.

PUFA’s are the polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are present in high amounts in seed oils.

1:

Induces torpor – the hibernation state in mammals.
By lowering the ability of the cell to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation and produce heat – lowers metabolic rate and spares energy through the winter

2: Modulates cardiolipin, lowering metabolic rate:

When cardiolipin an inner mitochondrial membrane phospholipid, becomes too unsaturated as it does after a weight loss (where pufa is released from fat stores), the mitochondrial enzymes become too “energy efficient” – and it lowers whole body energy expenditure, causing the animals to gain weight again. (it is better when mitochondrial energy efficiency is slightly uncoupled and inefficient, producing heat)

Might Increase breastcancer risk working in conjunction with endogenous estrogen by Upregulating BRCA1 expression

Inhibits insulin signalling
Loss of insulin sensitivity, somehow inhibiting some og the steps in the insulin signalling pathway.

Causing insulin resistance and activating the inflammatory pathway NF-Kappa beta. :
This study infused the mice with seed oils.

Antithyroid effects:
Blocks T3 binding to nuclear receptors.
Cells are this unable to respond to t3.
T3 is one of the most important hormones, activating energy production in the whole body.
Linoleic Acid and PUFA derived Arachidonic acid and are the worst.

Inhibits 5 alpha reductase – lowering DHT (Dihydrotesteosterone) -probably lowering expression of male characteristics and many of its protective effects.

Stimulates aldosterone – essentially activating the Renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system – related to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and many other things.