Overview

• A WEHI-led study demonstrates that consuming high-saturated-fat meals for just two days reduces IL-22, a critical protein for gut protection, causing silent inflammation in mice.
• Microscopic gut damage was observed without visible symptoms, highlighting how inflammation can develop undetected over time.
• Unsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts and avocados, were shown to boost IL-22 levels and strengthen gut defenses.
• Restoring IL-22 levels in mice reversed gut damage, suggesting potential for therapeutic interventions to improve human gut health.
• Researchers advocate for revised dietary guidelines emphasizing unsaturated fats to mitigate risks of chronic inflammatory diseases, which affect one-third of Australians.