What products may irreversibly harm intestines?

The consumption of carbohydrates and fats can seriously harm the immune system of the gastrointestinal tract, moreover, the changes can become irreversible, US scientists noted.

According to a study published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, eating high amounts of sugar and fat in Western lifestyles causes damage to Paneth cells, the cells in the small intestine that provide protection against bacteria and help control inflammation.

Scientists analyzed a database of demographic and clinical data of 400 people and noticed that high body mass index (BMI) is linked to dysfunction of Paneth cells, with the higher the BMI, the worse the gut cells look. Experiments with mice genetically predisposed to obesity due to inability to satiate showed that obesity was not accompanied by impaired Paneth cell function. But disturbances were observed in wild-type rodents who were on a diet that consisted of 40% of its calories from sugar and fat.

According to experts, the mediator between diet and the state of the gastrointestinal tract is deoxycholic acid - a secondary bile acid that is a by-product of the intestinal bacteria. This substance enhances the activity of two immune molecules (farnesoid receptor X and interferon type I), which suppress Paneth cells.

In the course of the study, when the mice were fed normal foods, their cells returned to normal. However, it is not yet known if Westerners can improve their gut health by changing their diet. Morbid obesity occurs after 20-30 years of an unhealthy lifestyle, and this, according to scientists, can irreversibly affect Paneth's cells.

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