Olive Oil

[hoosier1]

So I have read some research that believes, or at least indicates, that Olive Oil may prevent UC. Any opinions on its efficacy with MC? This may become a core ingredient in my snoothies.

Rich

[tex]

So I have read some research that believes, or at least indicates, that Olive Oil may prevent UC.

That's not exactly what the research indicates, though it is pretty much what most articles about it suggest. Actually, though, the indication is that people who tend to consume oleic acid, (which is found in olive oil), are far less likely to develop ulcerative colitis. The thing is, though, oleic acid, is abundant in a lot of things, besides olive oil, such as peanut oil, pecan oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and poppyseed oil. It's also a primary component of many animal fats, constituting between roughly 40-60% of chicken and turkey fat, and 45 % of lard. Not only is it also found in butter and many margarines, but oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in human adipose tissue, (otherwise known as fat).

IOW, unless you're one of those individuals who believe the recommendations made by the government and the medical community, and you've been avoiding all animal fats, butter, etc., all your life, then you should have been getting more than your fair share of oleic acid, for most of your life.

When something sounds as though it's too good to be true, it usually is. When you look at the articles describing that research, note the strong bias. They emphasis olive oil, which is healthy, healthy, healthy, doncha know. They totally omit the fact that a more readily available source of oleic acid is animal fat. While triglyceride esters of oleic acid make up the majority of olive oil, in reality, less than 2.0% of it may be available as actual free oleic acid, (in virgin olive oil). Animal fat, on the other hand, usually contains more than 40% oleic acid, including the fat on our own bodies.

In effect, this research simply proves that all the negative health advice about animal fat, as promoted by the government and the medical community, for at least the past 3 or 4 decades, has been totally incorrect, (in fact, their misguided advice is probably contributing not only to the proliferation of IBDs, but almost surely it is a primary factor in the obesity problem, and all the associated problems that go with it). And so now, researchers have a tough job on their hands, trying to advocate the obvious, while trying to save face, not only for themselves, but also for the government, and the mainstream medical community. Anyway, that's the way I see it.

Tex