Dietary linoleic acid, immune inhibition and disease

Review of the evidence available in published literature supports a radical change in viewpoint with respect to disease in countries where maize is th e predominant dietary component. In these countries, the pattern of disease is largely determined by a change in immune profile caused by metabolites of dietary linoleic acid. High intake of linoleic acid in a diet deficient in other polyunsaturated fatty acids and in riboflavin results in high tiss ue production of prostaglandin E2, which in turn causes inhibition of the p roliferation and cytokine production of Th1 cells, mediators of cellular im munity. Tuberculosis, measles, hepatoma, secondary infection in HIV and kwa shiorkor are all favoured by this reduction in cellular immunity. Diet-asso ciated inhibition of the Th1 subset is a major contributor to the high prev alence of these diseases found in areas of sub-Saharan Africa where maize i s the staple.