Fasting-induced autophagy versus saturated-fat-induced apoptosis.
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Answered my question from 5 years ago with ChatGPT.
https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/unsaturated-fat-protects-against-saturated-fat-induced-lipotoxicity.28418/post-427668GPT-40:
Fasting-induced autophagy and saturated-fat-induced apoptosis are two distinct processes that play crucial roles in cellular health, but they have very different effects and mechanisms.1. Fasting-Induced Autophagy
- Mechanism: Autophagy is a natural, regulated process of breaking down and recycling damaged or dysfunctional cellular components. When fasting, nutrient availability (particularly glucose and amino acids) drops, activating signaling pathways (e.g., AMPK and mTOR inhibition) that trigger autophagy. Cells then begin to digest damaged proteins, organelles, and other cellular debris, providing energy and essential building blocks for cellular repair and rejuvenation.
- Benefits: Autophagy is associated with various health benefits, including improved metabolic health, protection against neurodegenerative diseases, and potentially increased longevity. By recycling cellular components, autophagy helps cells stay functional and resilient under stress, such as during nutrient scarcity.
- Protective Effects: Autophagy supports cellular survival by removing potentially toxic cellular materials and promoting energy efficiency, acting as a self-preservation mechanism.
2. Saturated-Fat-Induced Apoptosis
- Mechanism: Apoptosis is a programmed cell death pathway that helps eliminate damaged or unneeded cells. Saturated fats, especially when consumed in high amounts, can trigger apoptosis by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Excess saturated fats can disrupt the lipid composition of cell membranes and impair cellular function, leading to stress signals that activate apoptosis through pathways like caspase activation and mitochondrial damage.
- Drawbacks: While apoptosis is a healthy and necessary process for removing damaged cells, chronic exposure to saturated fats can increase the rate of cell death in vital tissues like the liver, pancreas, and even certain areas of the brain. This has been linked to insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and increased cardiovascular risks, particularly in the context of a high-saturated-fat diet with low intake of protective nutrients.
- Potential for Damage: In cases of excessive saturated fat consumption, apoptosis can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation, as dying cells release pro-inflammatory signals, potentially harming healthy surrounding cells.
Summary: Fasting-Induced Autophagy vs. Saturated-Fat-Induced Apoptosis
- Autophagy (from fasting) is a beneficial cellular cleaning and repair process, supporting cellular function and resilience, particularly under nutrient-scarce conditions.
- Apoptosis (from excess saturated fat), while protective in certain contexts, can lead to inflammation and tissue damage when triggered excessively. This can compromise tissue health and overall metabolic stability.
In summary, fasting-induced autophagy supports cellular health and longevity by clearing damaged components, while saturated-fat-induced apoptosis is a response to cellular stress that, when chronic, can contribute to metabolic dysfunction and tissue damage.
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My poll was voted on and I forgot to check:
https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/oxidized-cholesterol-vs-pufa.28333/Which one is worse? Oxidized Cholesterol vs Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
- Oxidized Cholesterol Votes: 2
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Votes: 7
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On a per molecule basis I would assume oxidize cholesterol is much worse because humans have the ability to oxidize and metabolized large amounts of pufa for energy.
I watched this guys video a while back.
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/How-to-Reduce-Cholesterol-Oxidation/
