Dietary inflammation refers to the systemic, low-grade inflammatory state within the body that is chronically provoked or exacerbated by the regular consumption of specific food components or an overall imbalanced macronutrient intake. This is not an acute, protective immune response but a sustained activation of inflammatory pathways driven by dietary choices, which can negatively impact cellular function and hormonal signaling. Recognizing and mitigating this chronic state is fundamental to preventative health and wellness.
Origin
The concept evolved from epidemiological and molecular studies demonstrating that diet composition directly influences the immune system and the production of inflammatory markers. It combines the idea of dietary intake with the physiological process of inflammation, linking nutritional science to immunology. The modern clinical focus on dietary patterns, such as the Western diet high in refined sugars and saturated fats, solidified this term’s relevance in metabolic and endocrine health.
Mechanism
Dietary inflammation is mediated through several pathways, including the activation of the NF-$kappa$B pathway by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and excessive omega-6 fatty acid consumption, which favors the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Furthermore, high glycemic load diets promote insulin resistance and increase adipose tissue, which acts as an endocrine organ secreting pro-inflammatory adipokines. This sustained molecular signaling disrupts insulin sensitivity, compromises gut barrier function, and can interfere with the precise regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes.
Chronic dietary inflammation disrupts endocrine signaling, altering hormone production and receptor sensitivity, leading to systemic metabolic and reproductive imbalances.
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