RB---rejoice they seem to have found the mechanism by which the omega 6 to 3 ratio

[Lani]

predisposes to disease and it involved PI3K signalling which is a key pathway utilized by her2+ breast cancer. PS: JBC, the Journal of Biologic Chemistry is considered a very prestigious journal

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Omega fatty acid balance can alter immunity and gene expression

Appearing in the June 5 issue of JBC

For the past century, changes in the Western diet have altered the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids (w6, found in meat and vegetable oils) compared with omega-3 fatty acids (w3, found in flax and fish oil). Many studies seem to indicate this shift has brought about an increased risk of inflammation (associated with autoimmunity and allergy), and now using a controlled diet study with human volunteers, researchers may have teased out a biological basis for these reported changes.

Anthropological evidence suggests that human ancestors maintained a 2:1 w6/w3 ratio for much of history, but in Western countries today the ratio has spiked to as high as 10:1. Since these omega fatty acids can be converted into inflammatory molecules, this dietary change is believed to also disrupt the proper balance of pro- and anti- inflammatory agents, resulting in increased systemic inflammation and a higher incidence of problems including asthma, allergies, diabetes, and arthritis.

Floyd Chilton and colleagues wanted to examine whether theses fatty acids might have other effects, and developed a dietary intervention strategy in which 27 healthy humans were fed a controlled diet mimicking the w6/w3 ratios of early humans over 5 weeks. They then looked at the gene levels of immune signals and cytokines (protein immune messengers), that impact autoimmunity and allergy in blood cells and found that many key signaling genes that promote inflammation were markedly reduced compared to a normal diet, including a signaling gene for a protein called PI3K, a critical early step in autoimmune and allergic inflammation responses.

This study demonstrates, for the first time in humans, that large changes in gene expression are likely an important mechanism by which these omega fatty acids exert their potent clinical effects.

###
From the article: Effect of dietary fatty acids on inflammatory gene expression in healthy humans, by Kelly L. Weaver, Priscilla Ivester, MIchael C. Seeds, L. Douglas Case, Jonathan Arm and Floyd H. Chilton
Article Link: http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/M109.004861

Corresponding Author: (Ski) Floyd H. Chilton, III, Ph.D., Director, Wake Forest and Brigham and Women's Center for Botanical Lipids, Winston-Salem, NC; Tel: 336.713.7105, email: schilton@wfubmc.edu

[Bill]

Thanks again, Lani. (and you, too, RB).

[R.B.]

Very many thanks Lani for finding that and bringing it to our attention.

It is very exciting, and in humans too. This makes it much more difficult for those who continue to claim Omega 6 does not cause inflammation. (-:.

There have been several animal trial showing big changes in expression of important genes with changes in Omega 3:6 intake.

This is one on mice that shows big alterations of important pathways including HER 2. This was one of the papers that started me on this trail. I had no idea exactly what most of of the genes do and still dont, but the concept that Omega 3 and 6 could have such a big impact at such a fundamental level was intriguing.

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/131/10/2636.pdf

There are a number of other mechanisms by which Omega 3 and 6 can play a part in the role of inducing of reducing the risk of a number of cancers.

Thanks again for all you hard work and ceaseless commitment.