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Metabolic effects of soybean oil and linoleic acid on obesity, fatty liver, and liver function.

Topics Discussed:

Historical trends in soybean oil use: Consumption increased dramatically since the 1960s due to farming subsidies, now providing over 10% of calories for many Americans, far exceeding the 1-2% required biologically.
Soybean oil’s effects in mice: Diets with 8-10% linoleic acid cause obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes over weeks, unlike coconut oil diets; effects persist even after diet switch unless combined with fasting.
Role of HNF4 protein: This conserved liver transcription factor binds linoleic acid, regulating gene expression for metabolism; variants shift between carbohydrate and fat processing, with imbalances linked to fatty liver and cancer.
Oxylipins from linoleic acid: Conversion in liver drives obesity; mice unable to produce them resist weight gain on soybean oil, suggesting these metabolites are key culprits.
Vitamin B1 & soybean oil: Diets deplete B1 in liver and blood, contributing to obesity; supplementation with B1 analogs prevents weight gain, unlike beef tallow diets which preserve B1 levels.
Gut & microbiome impacts: Soybean oil alters gut bacteria, potentially reducing B1 production and increasing permeability, leading to inflammation; farm animals fed soybean meal pass effects to consumers.
Broader health implications: Reanalysis of old human studies questions linoleic acid’s heart benefits; focus on reducing processed foods and seed oils, while noting olive oil’s advantages from historical contexts.

Practical Takeaways:

Limit processed foods and seed oils like soybean to reduce linoleic acid intake, aiming for 1-2% of calories; read labels and opt for olive oil or home-cooked meals.
Incorporate intermittent fasting, such as 12-16 hours without eating daily, to help reverse obesity effects from high-linoleic diets, based on mouse reversibility studies.
Choose grass-fed or naturally fed animal products to avoid indirect soybean oil exposure from feed, potentially preserving nutrient levels like vitamin B1.
Monitor diet when traveling or changing habits, as shifts in oil types can affect medication metabolism via liver enzymes.

About the guest: Frances Sladek, PhD is a professor whose research focuses on the nuclear receptor HNF4 and the health impacts of dietary fats, particularly soybean oil.

*Not medical advice.

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Soybean Oil: Obesity, Fatty Liver Disease, Gut Health, IBS & Colitis | Frances Sladek | 269

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