Carbs And Inflammation

[Sani Thomas]

If you define inflammation purely as IL-6 becoming elevated then yes it would be by that definition, but I linked to 3 different studies that confirmed the IL-6 as rising for both carbs and proteins, but without other concomittant markers for disease inflammation becoming present. Although IL-6 is classed as a leucocyte it seems to have another function, Maybe it gets kicked off to raise insulin levels either as part of the Stage 2 Insulin Response or the immune system flagging a warning and that raising insulin may be a protective measure to reduce blood sugars. Certainly a meal with protein or carbs could be considered invasive and about to upset the homeostasis, hence a response. But it seems the endocrinologists are saying it is not in itself a cause of inflammation, merely a response.

They seem to be saying that IL-6 is not a pure leucocyte in that it is not just affected by the immune system kcking into action, but has a more general body function that is normal, and as such should be downgraded to being a signal enzyme only.

To me as a simpleton, the term inflammatory implies that the body immune system is under attack, and I cannot square that with carbs, Sorry.

There is a difference between inflammation and immune response. Inflammation is a process that is localised and direct to the causative agent. The immune response is more generalised, spreading and in case of autoimmune reactions it may be directed even against own tissues and cells.
An inflammation is when you hit your big toe and it swelled, became hot and painful. Or when uric acid crystals settle in a joint like in gout.

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[Oldvatr]

There is a difference between inflammation and immune response. Inflammation is a process that is localised and direct to the causative agent. The immune response is more generalised, spreading and in case of autoimmune reactions it may be directed even against own tissues and cells.
An inflammation is when you hit your big toe and it swelled, became hot and painful. Or when uric acid crystals settle in a joint like in gout.

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Begs the question - is an excess of carbs causing an increase in uric acid in the blood, say, by interfering with its elimination through the kidneys since expelling excess glucose by that same path may be prioritised in some way. Just a thought from a layman looking in. Certainly DKA is a buildup of lactic acid makin the blood acidic and that is associated with high blood glucose, Maybe the uric acid buildup occurs while the body is still able to process glucose elimination at a bgl level that is still being kept low? Plausible IMHO, and it may explain the joint pain increasing and remaining overnight.

 

[Sani Thomas]

Begs the question - is an excess of carbs causing an increase in uric acid in the blood, say, by interfering with its elimination through the kidneys since expelling excess glucose by that same path may be prioritised in some way. Just a thought from a layman looking in. Certainly DKA is a buildup of lactic acid makin the blood acidic and that is associated with high blood glucose, Maybe the uric acid buildup occurs while the body is still able to process glucose elimination at a bgl level that is still being kept low? Plausible IMHO, and it may explain the joint pain increasing and remaining overnight.

The mechanics of gout are well understood. It is associated with red and game meat and excess of red wine.
But again, immune system creates in first contact with a cell's membrane an antibody. So when next the same cell is encountered, it is recognised, hunted and destroyed.
Inflammation is using the usual defence mechanism by bringing leukocytes, fagocytes, erythrocytes, etc. I don't believe carbs are causing inflammation. They may be recognised as an enemy by the immune system which then reacts as in an allergic reaction or as in an infection.

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[Oldvatr]

The mechanics of gout are well understood. It is associated with red and game meat and excess of red wine.
But again, immune system creates in first contact with a cell's membrane an antibody. So when next the same cell is encountered, it is recognised, hunted and destroyed.
Inflammation is using the usual defence mechanism by bringing leukocytes, fagocytes, erythrocytes, etc. I don't believe carbs are causing inflammation. They may be recognised as an enemy by the immune system which then reacts as in an allergic reaction or as in an infection.

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The reports I linked in earlier in this thread did show that IL-6 marker did get elevated in the presense of high carb or high protein, and some used to use this as an indicator that inflammation was present, but the researchers checked the other markers such as leukocytes and CRP and white blood cell count and they remained stable, so the researchers concluded that IL-6 is actually only a signal to the pancreas to trigger insulin release, and as such may be the marker for second stage insulin response aka the basal response as opposed to the stage 1 bolus produced by amylase enzyme while eating.

It would appear that some of the less well informed Nutrition and fitness journals have picked up on researchers using mice used IL-6 to detect stress since this marker is easier to extract and measure post mortem.