Ben Bikman: LINOLEIC ACID DRIVES INFLAMMATION ONLY WHEN CONVERTED INTO LIPID PEROXIDE

https://www.DoctorsToTrust.com
presents episode 231
Dr Ben Bikman
Dr Bret Scher

DietDoctor.com
April 2021

Many people misunderstand the relationship of
linoleic acid to inflammation...
-linoleic acid can be converted into arachidonic acid
-arachidonic acid can be converted into
~pro-inflammatory & pro-clotting
molecules like, prostaglandins
& thromboxanes

Prostaglandins
Hormones created by chemical reaction at injury site.
Unlike other hormones, which are messengers,
prostaglandins are not secreted from a gland, but
are created at the time & site where needed.

Thromboxanes
lipid eicosandoid. Two major types: A1 & A2.
Helps in blood clot formation

Because this pathway exists, people assume linoleic acid
is pushing the pathway forward...
that does not happen

Linoleic acid is converted into
arachidonic acid by nature of
regulatory enzymes

"It is a need-based system"

These are molecules that are essential for survival...
-inflammation is essential in its role in
-recovery
-healing
-immunity

"this is not a system we can
push forward by adding more
linoleic acid"

Linoleic acid has alternative fates...
-being burned for energy by mitochondria
-whether it goes into arachidonic acid and further
~depends on the need &
~activation of regulatory enzymes
to pull process along

If linoleic acid is promoting inflammation...

"I say it is because of its conversion into lipid peroxides"
-macrophages will engulf lipid peroxides
-sensing that they are pathogenic
-becomes a foam cell...
~calling for help!

"That is inflammation!"

"Systemic inflammation:
-When one immune cell begins to call for help
from other immune cells"

If linoleic acid is driving inflammation
it is because, it has converted into
lipid peroxide
-macrophage engulfs it
-stimulating inflammation

Linoleic acid causing inflammation is not a direct effect...
-if you remove the phagocyte cell eating
that lipid peroxide, then

"I don't think there is inflammation"

Macrophage
immune system white blood cell that engulfs & digests
anything that doesn't have, on its surface,
proteins that are specific to healthy body cells.

Phagocyte
cell type that has the ability to ingest or digest foreign
particles, such as, bacteria, carbon, dust, or dye.

Dr Scher:

"I fall into this trap too...
-speaking of oxidation & inflammation
as if they are the same,
and they are not"