For years, olive oil has been praised by doctors for the protection it offers for the heart and for preserving mental acuity in old age.
But now, scientists believe that oleic acid, a common fat found in olive oil, helps fat cells grow and multiply, promoting weight gain faster than other oils.
Therefore, home cooks should "moderate" their consumption of olive oil, especially those at high risk, advised the American researchers who conducted the study.
"If someone is at risk for heart disease, high levels of oleic acid may not be a good idea," they added.
This comes at a time when a growing number of experts are urging people to be cautious about excessive use of olive oil, due to fears that it could increase cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
In this new study, scientists fed mice specialized diets enriched with specific fatty acids, including those found in olive oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard, and soybean oil.
They found that oleic acid increases a protein called AKT2 and decreases the activity of another protein called LXR.
This process led to an increase in cells that create new fat cells.
In their article published in Cell Reports, the scientists write:
"Low levels of oleic acid in the diet show positive effects.
But high levels of its consumption have harmful effects on cardiovascular health and increase the risk of mortality."
Dr. Michael Rudolph, assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma and co-author of the study, added:
"We wanted to know whether simply eating too much fat causes obesity, or whether the composition of fatty acids in oils plays a role."
You can think of fat cells as an army. When you give oleic acid, it first increases the number of 'fat soldiers' that have the capacity to store excess nutrients.
This means that over time, obesity can occur, which can then lead to heart disease or diabetes if left unchecked.”
He added:
"The main message is moderation and getting fats from different sources."
"Balanced levels of oleic acid are beneficial, but high and prolonged levels can be harmful."
For years, experts have advised that cooking with a drop of olive oil is safe. In fact, it's the oil of choice for many professional chefs and dietitians.
Olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean diet, which has gained much popularity in recent years, with numerous studies showing its benefits for longevity, reducing physical weakness, and protecting against cancer.
This diet largely excludes dairy products, red meat, and alcohol, while including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Dua Lipa and her fans add it to ice cream. Bodybuilders on Reddit drink it to bulk up. Jennifer Lopez attributes her healthy skin to it.
While Silicon Valley biohacker Bryan Johnson drinks it by the spoonful every morning and sells his oil as part of an unproven diet for longevity.
Influencers also claim that olive oil helps with bloating and constipation, better absorption of nutrients, supports hair and skin health, and even cures alcohol withdrawal.
But other experts have previously warned of a link between olive oil and weight gain, as well as an increased risk of heart disease.
Michelle Routhenstein, a dietitian in New York, said she had a client who consumed an entire glass of olive oil a day, "believing it was incredibly healthy."
"This extreme behavior not only hindered weight loss efforts, but also negatively affected cholesterol levels," she said.
"Excessive consumption of olive oil without controlling the quantity can lead to energy imbalance and weight gain."
Dietitian Veronica Rouse added:
"It's important to be careful when listening to influencers, who sometimes contribute to misconceptions due to personal experiences or advertising, which is not always based on nutritional science."
"Changes to your eating plan should be discussed with your doctor or registered dietitian." /GazetaExpress/
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