Overview

• A WEHI study found that consuming high-saturated-fat meals for just two days depletes IL-22, a protein critical for gut health and inflammation prevention.
• The research highlights that silent gut inflammation can begin long before visible symptoms, potentially leading to chronic inflammatory diseases years later.
• Unsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts and avocados, were shown to boost IL-22 production, strengthening gut defenses against disease.
• Researchers demonstrated that restoring IL-22 levels in mice reversed gut damage, pointing to potential therapeutic interventions for humans.
• The findings are expected to influence dietary guidelines, emphasizing the importance of unsaturated fats and early dietary strategies to prevent inflammation.