Link between the consumption of animal products and chronic disease.

N-glycolylneuraminic acid, or Neu5Gc, is a sialic acid

“ a nine carbon sugar molecule“ produced by most nonhuman mammals.

Sialic acids serve diverse roles, such as mediating cell-to-cell interactions, triggering cell signaling cascades, and binding to pathogens.

Humans do not produce Neu5Gc; however, trace amounts of the compound are commonly present in human urine, suggesting that Neu5Gc is obtained in the diet. Foods highest in Neu5Gc include red meat, eggs, and milk. It is rarely present in fish or poultry.

Neu5Gc is similar in structure to Neu5Ac, a sialic acid produced in the human body. Due to this similarity, Neu5Gc is handled by the body's biochemical pathways as native.

However, the body's immune system recognizes Neu5Gc as foreign and produces antibodies to it.[3] Therefore, the consumption of foods that contain Neu5Gc may elicit an immune response, triggering inflammation, and potentially providing a unique dietary link between the consumption of animal products and chronic disease.