Get a Better Brain and Body with This Natural Compound in Olive Oil

It’s no surprise that olive oil is good for you, but have you ever wondered why? Researchers are pointing to a remarkable fatty acid called oleic acid. They believe it’s why olive oil can do so many amazing things for your health, from strengthening your heart to sharpening your memory.

Key Takeaways

• Oleic acid, the primary fatty acid in olive oil, is gaining recognition for its significant health benefits.
• Oleic acid supports heart health by lowering the risk of insulin resistance in heart cells and reducing arterial inflammation to prevent heart disease.
• Oleic acid improves cognitive function in older adults and protects the liver from excessive fat storage, potentially slowing aging and preventing fatty liver disease. It also strengthens the immune system.

What Is Oleic Acid?

When researchers in Spain recently reviewed the remarkable health benefits of oleic acid, they concluded that ongoing research into its effects on the body may soon lead to the “prevention and treatment of numerous diseases.”[1]

Along with that impressive forecast, these scientists note that many of the health benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and olive oil, are probably due to consuming the oleic acid provided by olive oil.

Now, oleic acid is different from oleacein, another beneficial compound in olive oil that's a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. 

So, let’s delve into its remarkable benefits and learn how it can be put to work, making you happier and healthier.

Keeping Your Immune System Ready To Rumble

Oleic acid is the human body's major MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid). Your body can manufacture it to some degree, but to have enough for good health, you must consume it with your food.

When the body runs low on this fatty acid, it can encounter serious health dangers. Studies show that people who suffer from both depression and Alzheimer’s disease have brains that are low in oleic acid. It’s a crucial component in the brain cells’ neurons and the myelin sheaths that insulate neurons and help neurons communicate. It is also a potent antioxidant that regulates the body’s production of its antioxidants.

Research shows that consuming plenty of oleic acid supports a more effective immune system that is better prepared to fight off pathogens that threaten health. One way it does this is by helping the body build the membranes that enclose immune cells. Those membranes are crucial to how immune cells operate to kill off invading microbes. According to studies that have analyzed oleic acid’s benefits, when oleic acid is incorporated into those membranes, they become more supple and fluid, which makes the immune cells better able to surround and destroy invaders.[2]

Studies have also shown that another helpful immunity benefit of oleic acid is lowering inflammation in the digestive tract and keeping immune cells from attacking healthy cells. In one investigation, scientists found that oleic acid helped immune cells eliminate invading intestinal fungus (Candida was used in this test) while simultaneously reining in the activity of overactive cells in the gut that might otherwise have caused colitis.[3]

That’s quite the combo of health benefits!

Boosting Coronary Health And A More Reliable Heart

Many studies have shown how oleic acid can also protect heart health. For instance, a European lab study found that oleic acid can help support heart function by reducing the risk of insulin resistance in heart muscle cells. Keeping insulin resistance at bay is particularly important for lowering the risk of heart disease and heart failure in people with diabetes.

In this same investigation, researchers showed that oleic acid can lower inflammation in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the artery walls can dilate more fully, allowing ample blood flow to the heart muscle. The scientists found that if potentially heart-threatening atherosclerotic plaque accumulates along artery walls, oleic acid can help stabilize that plaque, making it less likely to rupture and release dangerous blood clots.[4]

Oleic Acid Provides Brain and Liver Support

Other research confirms that oleic acid can –

• Support better brain health as you age: A study in Japan involving 150 people over 60 found that those who consumed the most oleic acid were mentally sharper as measured by standardized tests. The researchers conclude that “oleic acid intake may be effective for both cognitive and memory functions.”[5]
• Increase your chances of living longer: Harvard laboratory tests show that oleic acid can be essential in keeping your liver from storing unhealthy fat and helping you age better. They believe further study of how oleic acid regulates fat storage may lead to therapies that “reduce fat accumulation, prevent fatty liver disease, or slow aging.”[6]

One of the easiest, healthiest ways to get more oleic acid into your diet is to drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over your vegetables at meals. As I’ve discussed, a diet containing olive oil has been linked to longer life expectancy.

Eating avocados is another reliable way to get oleic acid; research shows they help with weight loss.

Summary

Oleic acid, the primary fatty acid in olive oil, is gaining recognition for its significant health benefits. Researchers highlight its role in supporting the immune system, heart health, and brain function and its potential in preventing and treating various diseases. Oleic acid enhances immune cell function, reduces inflammation, protects against insulin resistance, and supports cognitive and liver health. Incorporating oleic acid into the diet, particularly through olive oil and avocados, can contribute to overall well-being and longevity.