Researchers have found fat cells, also known as adipocytes, may function as part of the immune system and help regulate lipid accumulation, which may result in preventing diseasessuch as cancer and diabetes.
They conducted the study on pigs by exposing pig fat cells to interferon-gamma, a small protein in the body that is produced by infection fighting T-cells. This resulted in the production of hormone-like proteins, called cytokines, which react to invading toxins and behave almost identically to the immune cells that fight off disease.
In another part of the study, they found that a ligand called LPS, which are small molecules that bind to particular large molecules, binds to the receptor molecules outside of pig fat cells and signals the fat cells to produce more hormone-like cytokines.
The outcome of this study proved that fat cells play an important role in helping insulin regulate blood sugar levels and can aid in the response to cancerous cells. However, too much fat in pigs, researchers found, upsets the body's hormonal balance. As fat cells accumulate an excess of lipids, they secrete greater amounts of certain biochemicals and less of others, creating abnormalities that can lead to diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Their next step is to search for other factors, such as certain classes of fatty acids that can activate or suppress the LPS receptor. After this is found, researchers say they might be able to control the receptor and immune pathways to regulate the body’s metabolism and apply that to diabetes and cancer.
American Journal Physiology December 4, 2003
Research has found that besides keeping the body warmer, fat cells produce hormone-like proteins in reaction to invading toxins, behaving much like immune cells that fight disease. Fat cells can be functional and beneficial without creating obesity, as they play a major role in helping insulin regulate blood sugar levels and can aid the immune system's response to cancerous cells. However, an excess of fat, like just about any other healthy item, can disrupt your immune system.
As I have stressed before, you don't have to worry about fat if you're eating correctly for your metabolic type and exercising appropriately. I review the specific practical steps in my new book, which provides you with all the practical tools to determine your nutritional type and achieve your ideal weight.
It is also important to understand and realize that there are certain fats that are healthy for you and should be consumed by most of us. Please understand that one of the major reasons why these foods are healthy is that they are raw unprocessed foods. When you process them, for instance pasteurizing milk, they actually convert to disease-causing foods for many of us. Protein nutritional types should consume quite a few of the following foods while the other extreme, carb types, should consume considerably less of these:
Cod liver oil. Be sure to consume a high-quality brand. Typically most of us need 1 to 3 teaspoons of this food so it is much more convenient to take the liquid than five to 15 large capsules a day, and I have found that the liquid form is superior to capsules.
Raw milk or raw butter. The link has recommendations on where you can find this amazing health food. Grass-fed is best here.
Coconut oil. Nearly every one of you should have this in your home. It is the only oil that most of you should cook with, as it is clearly one of the healthiest oils and resists heat damage better than any other oil.
High-quality extra virgin olive oil. Ideally this should be consumed on your salads.
Avocados. Particularly if you are a protein type.
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