When it comes to cooking oils, olive oil is considered one of the healthiest oils around. Olive oil is known for having healthy fats, making it a mainstay in the Mediterranean diet. It is such a healthy type of oil that it has many uses, including for beauty, cleaning, and even for improving our health such as for preventing diabetes and strokes. Researchers are now saying that this oil is useful in breaking down brain cancer tumors.
According to the University of Edinburgh School of Biological Sciences, olive oil has the potential to suppress tumors, thanks to its ingredient known as oleic acid. This acid has molecules that can stop growth of tumors in the cells, which were grown in their lab as part of the research.
Why Add Olive Oil to Your Diet
Olive oil is definitely well-worth adding to your daily diet for many reasons, including:
- Better heart health
- Decreased arterial inflammation
- Controlled blood pressure levels
- Improved weight loss
Previous studies have shown that olive oil has the potential to prevent several diseases, but this latest study showed that with the help of olive oil’s monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, can kill protein activity that causes cancer in the brain cells.
The researchers discovered that the fatty acid can inhibit Musashi homolog2, a cell protein. As a result, this helps prevent the protein from stopping miR-7 production, which is a type of microRNA that can suppress formation of brain tumors. In other words, olive oil’s oleic acid motivates miR-7 to perform its job by thwarting Musashi homolog2, its enemy protein. It is possible that oleic acid can break down the tumors while they are still in their early stages.
More about the Research and Brain Cancer-Olive Oil Link
The scientists performed the study on human cell extracts as well as on functioning HeLa cells in their laboratory. The effect of oleic acid proved that it is indeed beneficial to the cells in our bodies. According to the lead researcher, Gracjan Michlewski, olive oil has the potential to fight brain cancer.
It is important to note though that there is still no concrete evidence that dietary intake of the oil can give the benefit in the study. It is possible that it should be applied topically, but it may be added to the diet as well although there is no specific amount. Eventually though, the claim may be proven out, but testing is beyond the study’s bounds.