Excessive consumption of this 'healthy fat' may contribute to weight gain, according to a new study.
Revamped Take:
Here's a surprising new find - the fats in ol' olive oil might not be as beneficial as we thought!
Research straight outta the scientific spotlight demonstrates that the primary sauce in ol' olive oil, oleic acid, could be kicking off a weight gain party bigger than any Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat everyone calls omega-9, isn't solely found in olive oil. You'll spot it in other oils like rape-seed (canola) and sunflower, and plenty of foods like nuts, meats, cheese, eggs, and even avocados.
Dr. Michael Rudolph, a biochemistry and physiology whiz at the University of Oklahoma, compared the fatty acid army to soldiers on a mission. When we feed them oleic acid, it ramps up the size of the fat cell troop, pumping up our body's capacity to store extra dietary energy. If we pile on the calories without tapping out our fat cell army, well, you guessed it – obesity ensues, which could stir up cardiovascular disease or diabetes if we don't step in to manage it.
The researchers tested high-fat diets on some lucky mice, slathering them with coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard, and soybean oil. Guess which one expanded their fat cell army the quickest? You got it, mate - olive oil. High levels of oleic acid altered the behavior of two proteins, AKT2 and LXR, prompting precursor cells to form new fat cells at a faster clip. This wasn't the case with the other fats.
But fear not, folks! Dr. Rudolph didn't mean we should kiss ol' olive oil goodbye. He recommended moderation in our consumption and dining on fats from a variety of sources. Although balanced doses of oleic acid offer some health perks, going overboard might prompt some unwanted weight gain – especially for those at risk of heart disease.
On the bright side, oleic acid is still connected to good health in modest portions. Previous research points to it guarding against inflammation, obesity, and heart disease, thanks to its connections with healthy aging and longevity.
It's essential to remember that this research was primarily centered on mice, so we'll have to keep a close eye on human studies for a fuller picture.
Now, if you're yearning for more info on this topic, dive into these fantastic reads:
- Why olive wastewater could soon become your health savior
- Revamp your diet with this modernized food pyramid
- It's high time we reassessed our fat phobia!
[1] "Oleic acid promotes expansion of adipose tissue in the offspring of high-fat fed dams via insulin-induced AKT activation", Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2020.[2] "High Levels of Oleic Acid in Diet Increase Adipogenesis and Lipogenesis through Modulation of the LXR Signaling Pathway", Cell Metabolism, 2018.[3] "Oleic Acid Increases Pre-adipocyte Differentiation through Modulation of AKT2 and ERK1/2 Activities", Journal of Lipid Research, 2016.[4] "Monounsaturated Fats and the Pathogenesis of Obesity and Projected Health Implications: Mechanisms and Reference Doses of Key Bioactive Compounds", Nutrients, 2021.
- The research in the field of biochemistry and physiology suggests that while oleic acid, found in olive oil, offers some health benefits, excessive consumption might lead to unwanted weight gain, particularly for individuals at risk of heart disease.
- Nutritionists and health-and-wellness experts recommend a balanced consumption of fats from various sources for weight management, citing research that links excessive oleic acid to the expansion of fat cells.
- There is ongoing study in the world of science to understand the impact of oleic acid on health and wellness, including its role in the formation of new fat cells and its connection to heart disease, obesity, and inflammation.
- Fitness enthusiasts and exercise aficionados should be mindful of their olive oil consumption as part of a holistic fitness-and-exercise routine for maintaining a healthy weight and promoting overall health.
- Despite the recent findings on the potential weight management implications of oleic acid, previous research has indicated that the monounsaturated fat has potential health benefits, such as its role in guarding against inflammation, obesity, and heart disease.
