Phytanic Acid Generates Carnitine for Fatty acid oxidation and ATP production.
A recent study looked at the level of phytanic acid, a bioactive fatty acid found in red meat, dairy fat, and seafood which has activity on receptors known to control and regulate cancer, inflammation, Triglycerides/cholesterol and even energy status in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid and its metabolite Pristanic acid contribute to the activation of Carnitine in Peroxisomes which are later transported to mitochondria for fatty acid oxidation (burning and synthesis of energy, ATP). A lack of Carnitine has been shown to lower mitochondrial processes and is significant factor in disease. Carnitine is sourced only from MEAT and seafood, not vegetables. We produce it but not very well. Many factors affect Carnitine levels (kidney function, ACTH/cortisol, thyroid and diet. French authors write 'L-carnitine ensures regeneration of coenzyme A and is thus involved in energy metabolism. L-carnitine also ensures elimination of xenobiotic substances. Carnitine deficiencies are common'
Does bison do a body good?
YESSSSSS because Bison wont eat soy or corn which causes your HS CRP to rise and your heart and johnson to fail prematurally.
Chlorophyll Content Determines Phytanic Acid
Apparently the chlorophyll content of the meat, seafood or dairy is what determines the amount of this important fatty acid. That means the more the cow or buffalo eats plants the higher its omega three content and the more anti inflammatory its meat is to the the human consumer.
Shore-based food such as fish, salmon, redfish, molluscs and krill have significant levels too since these consume smaller fish which consume chlorophyll from algae and green phytoplankton. Phytanic acid is also found in menhaden oils. There is a vague association with prostate cancer and levels of phytanic acid however the below authors discuss "the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk." Phytanic acid is metabolized in peroxisomes -- little fatty storage droplets where enzymes breakdown and metabolize fatty acids. Many of the metabolic breakdown products then go to the mitochondria to provide energy, intermediaries for the respiratory and energy producing complexes, and/or to absorb and quench ROS (reactive oxygen species, aka POLLUTION generated from energy production). If your mitochondria are working awry, I suspect phytanic acid accumulation occurs because it is not being appropriately metabolized.
The less leaky your mitochondrion the longer and more fit you'll be and closer you'll be to optimization hormonally
Many of our chronic diseases are a result of mitochondrial dysfunction -- our tiny nuclear power plants are on the 'blink'...
--compromised controls, directions and regulation for proper nuclear plant functioning (AMPK, cAMP)
--lacking power grid efficiency (leptin, insulin, cortisol, SIRT1, adiponectin, secretin, fertuin-A)
--malfunctioning or missing power plant cogs and parts (minerals, carnitine, AcCoA/pantothenic acid, omega-3)
--deficiency of buffering, recycling and containment of nuclear waste (coenzyme Q10/ ubiquinol)
--lacking managers and communicators (cell membrane stability and communication: omega-3 vitamins A B D E K2 thyroid cortisol estrogen progesterone DHEA pregnenolone testosterone saturated fat etc)
--excessive disruptions (high carb diets, endocrine disruptors, PCBs, heavy metals)
From Bacteria 4.5+ bya To Mitochondria
Other strategies to keep mitochondria free of breakdowns -- lifestyles and diet aligned with our evolutionary past from 4.5+ Billion Years Ago:
--low carb
--high saturated fat
--low fructose
--low omega-6
--high omega-3
--high phytanic acid *wink*
--adequate shore-based and grassfed/pasture-based protein
--mineral rich plants, berries, nuts, meat/fish/fowl
--intermittent feast v. fast (seasonality)
--optimal hormesis status
--low pollution (air, water, mind)
--enjoyment of culture, music, arts, spiritual enlightenment
--engaging in community and social networks
--movement: rapid intense, languid continuous (yeah SEX counts)
you must eat and exercise to keep your mitochondria fit. If you know how to fine tune your mitochondria your medical issues will vanish.
here is the abstract..........its a great article.
Phytanic acid--an overlooked bioactive fatty acid in dairy fat?
Hellgren LI. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Mar;1190(1):42-9.
Abstract
Phytanic acid is a multibranched fatty acid with reported retinoid X receptor (RXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist activity, which have been suggested to have preventive effects on metabolic dysfunctions. Serum level in man is strongly correlated to the intake of red meat and dairy products and the concentration in these products is strongly correlated to the chlorophyll content in the feed of the cattle. Available data suggest that phytanic acid is a natural agonist for RXR at physiological concentrations, while it is more likely that it is the metabolite pristanic acid, rather than phytanic acid itself, that acts as PPAR-alpha agonist. Animal studies show increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, after intake of phytol, the metabolic precursor of phytanic acid, but it is at present not possible to deduce whether phytanic acid is useful in the prevention of ectopic lipid deposition. Phytanic acid is an efficient inducer of the expression of uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1). UCP1 is expressed in human skeletal muscles, were it might be important for the total energy balance. Therefore, phytanic acid may be able to stimulate energy dissipation in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid levels in serum are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, but the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk. However, certain individuals, with specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene for the enzyme alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase, might be susceptible to raised phytanic acid levels. PMID: 20388135
A recent study looked at the level of phytanic acid, a bioactive fatty acid found in red meat, dairy fat, and seafood which has activity on receptors known to control and regulate cancer, inflammation, Triglycerides/cholesterol and even energy status in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid and its metabolite Pristanic acid contribute to the activation of Carnitine in Peroxisomes which are later transported to mitochondria for fatty acid oxidation (burning and synthesis of energy, ATP). A lack of Carnitine has been shown to lower mitochondrial processes and is significant factor in disease. Carnitine is sourced only from MEAT and seafood, not vegetables. We produce it but not very well. Many factors affect Carnitine levels (kidney function, ACTH/cortisol, thyroid and diet. French authors write 'L-carnitine ensures regeneration of coenzyme A and is thus involved in energy metabolism. L-carnitine also ensures elimination of xenobiotic substances. Carnitine deficiencies are common'
Does bison do a body good?
YESSSSSS because Bison wont eat soy or corn which causes your HS CRP to rise and your heart and johnson to fail prematurally.
Chlorophyll Content Determines Phytanic Acid
Apparently the chlorophyll content of the meat, seafood or dairy is what determines the amount of this important fatty acid. That means the more the cow or buffalo eats plants the higher its omega three content and the more anti inflammatory its meat is to the the human consumer.
Shore-based food such as fish, salmon, redfish, molluscs and krill have significant levels too since these consume smaller fish which consume chlorophyll from algae and green phytoplankton. Phytanic acid is also found in menhaden oils. There is a vague association with prostate cancer and levels of phytanic acid however the below authors discuss "the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk." Phytanic acid is metabolized in peroxisomes -- little fatty storage droplets where enzymes breakdown and metabolize fatty acids. Many of the metabolic breakdown products then go to the mitochondria to provide energy, intermediaries for the respiratory and energy producing complexes, and/or to absorb and quench ROS (reactive oxygen species, aka POLLUTION generated from energy production). If your mitochondria are working awry, I suspect phytanic acid accumulation occurs because it is not being appropriately metabolized.
The less leaky your mitochondrion the longer and more fit you'll be and closer you'll be to optimization hormonally
Many of our chronic diseases are a result of mitochondrial dysfunction -- our tiny nuclear power plants are on the 'blink'...
--compromised controls, directions and regulation for proper nuclear plant functioning (AMPK, cAMP)
--lacking power grid efficiency (leptin, insulin, cortisol, SIRT1, adiponectin, secretin, fertuin-A)
--malfunctioning or missing power plant cogs and parts (minerals, carnitine, AcCoA/pantothenic acid, omega-3)
--deficiency of buffering, recycling and containment of nuclear waste (coenzyme Q10/ ubiquinol)
--lacking managers and communicators (cell membrane stability and communication: omega-3 vitamins A B D E K2 thyroid cortisol estrogen progesterone DHEA pregnenolone testosterone saturated fat etc)
--excessive disruptions (high carb diets, endocrine disruptors, PCBs, heavy metals)
From Bacteria 4.5+ bya To Mitochondria
Other strategies to keep mitochondria free of breakdowns -- lifestyles and diet aligned with our evolutionary past from 4.5+ Billion Years Ago:
--low carb
--high saturated fat
--low fructose
--low omega-6
--high omega-3
--high phytanic acid *wink*
--adequate shore-based and grassfed/pasture-based protein
--mineral rich plants, berries, nuts, meat/fish/fowl
--intermittent feast v. fast (seasonality)
--optimal hormesis status
--low pollution (air, water, mind)
--enjoyment of culture, music, arts, spiritual enlightenment
--engaging in community and social networks
--movement: rapid intense, languid continuous (yeah SEX counts)
you must eat and exercise to keep your mitochondria fit. If you know how to fine tune your mitochondria your medical issues will vanish.
here is the abstract..........its a great article.
Phytanic acid--an overlooked bioactive fatty acid in dairy fat?
Hellgren LI. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Mar;1190(1):42-9.
Abstract
Phytanic acid is a multibranched fatty acid with reported retinoid X receptor (RXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonist activity, which have been suggested to have preventive effects on metabolic dysfunctions. Serum level in man is strongly correlated to the intake of red meat and dairy products and the concentration in these products is strongly correlated to the chlorophyll content in the feed of the cattle. Available data suggest that phytanic acid is a natural agonist for RXR at physiological concentrations, while it is more likely that it is the metabolite pristanic acid, rather than phytanic acid itself, that acts as PPAR-alpha agonist. Animal studies show increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, after intake of phytol, the metabolic precursor of phytanic acid, but it is at present not possible to deduce whether phytanic acid is useful in the prevention of ectopic lipid deposition. Phytanic acid is an efficient inducer of the expression of uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1). UCP1 is expressed in human skeletal muscles, were it might be important for the total energy balance. Therefore, phytanic acid may be able to stimulate energy dissipation in skeletal muscles. Phytanic acid levels in serum are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, but the available data do not support a general causal link between circulating phytanic acid and prostate cancer risk. However, certain individuals, with specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene for the enzyme alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase, might be susceptible to raised phytanic acid levels. PMID: 20388135
