Ep. 9: Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFA) and Energy Balance

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In this episode we discuss:

  • ​The differences between saturated and unsaturated fats
  • ​Which fats encourage hibernation and slow our metabolism
  • ​Why ​removing one type of fats is one of the best things you can do to increase your cellular energy
  • ​Why polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) aren’t the “heart-healthy” fats we’re told they are
  • ​Which fats we should be eating to maximize our cellular energy

2:53 – the structural differences between the saturated and unsaturated fats and the foods they’re found in

14:04 – the purpose of different fats in nature

20:07 – the unsaturation of our cell structure directly impacts metabolic efficiency

30:57 – PUFA are extremely susceptible to lipid peroxidation

38:33 – PUFA metabolites (eicosanoids) amplify inflammation and metabolic disruption

40:26 – PUFA don’t protect against heart disease

53:05 – take-home PUFA messages

Links from this episode

  • Fats: We’ve Got It All Wrong​ (article)
  • The relationship between fatty acid saturation and temperature in seeds (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • ​PUFA drive hibernation, lower body temperature, and lower metabolic rate (1, 2)
  • ​Relationship between PUFA content and temperature in fish​ (1, 2)
  • ​PUFA content in "membranes" increases permeability to protons and other ions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • ​Membrane saturation as the primary factor that determines aging and lifespan (1, 2)
  • Aging, Metabolism, and Caloric Restriction (article)
  • Arachadonic acid and DHA are 160 and 320 times respectively as susceptible to peroxidation as oleic acid  (1)
  • ​Cardiolipin fatty acid composition is affected by diet and lipid peroxidation of cardiolipin (which is more likely when the lipids are more unsaturated) ​inhibits energy production  (1, 2)
  • ​Top fish oil supplements ​have oxidation levels far exceeding quality standards (1)
  • ​Omega-3 supplementation decreased vitamin E and increased lipid peroxidation products (1)
  • Omega-3s Are NOT The “Healthy Fats” (article)
  • ​Dietary cholesterol has little effect on serum cholesterol (1, 2)
  • The Cholesterol Nonsense Continues (article)
  • PUFA ​lower cholesterol production by increasing oxidative stress​ (1​, 2)
  • ​​​PUFA in LDL cause vascular damage (1​)
  • ​PUFA and their metabolites and peroxidation products ​contribute to arterial plaque and lesions (1, 2, 3, 4​)
  • ​​Endotoxin (LPS) contributes to atherosclerosis and is found in arterial plaque (1, 2, 3)
  • ​​Alcohol and estrogen ​increase HDL (1, 2, 3, 4)
  • ​The ​detoxifying and immune functions of cholesterol and LDL (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6​, 7)
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