Olive Oil May Hold the Key to Weight Loss

A”good” fat found in abundance in olive oil may provide one of the keys to appetite control and weight loss.

Oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat, suppresses hunger pangs and so can help prevent snacking between meals, according to researchers at the University of California, Irvine.

In a study involving lab mice, the researchers found that when oleic acid reaches the small intestine it is converted into a hormone called oleoylethanolamide, or OEA. This hormone, in turn, sends hunger-dampening signals to the brain. That means you can go longer without eating.

The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, could open up new strategies for helping people lose weight, said Daniele Piomelli, who led the research effort.

Dr. Piomelli noted that previous studies have found that protein also plays a pivotal role in appetite control. And, in particular, a high-protein meal tends to be very filling and quickly sates the desire for food.

“If we can mix appropriate amounts of protein and fat [containing high levels of oleic acid], the net result could be very advantageous,” Dr. Piomelli said in an interview. “You would consume less in a single meal … and prolong the interval between eating.”

He also suggested that new medications could be developed to mimic the appetite-suppressing effects of oleic acid.

Avocados, soybeans, canola oil and a variety of other foods also contain oleic acid. But olive oil, which is one of the cornerstones of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, is especially rich in the stuff, Dr. Piomelli said.