OLIVE OIL COMPOUND MAY PREVENT BRAIN CANCER

Researchers from Scotland’s University of Edinburgh have discovered a compound in olive oil that may prevent cancer from developing in the brain, according to an STV News report. The research team was quoted as saying that they cannot yet say that olive oil in the diet helps prevent brain cancer, but findings do suggest that oleic acid can support the production of tumour-suppressing molecules  in cells grown in the lab, addiing that further studies could help more clearly determine olive oil’s role in brain health.

Having analysed the effects of oleic acid on miR-7 cell molecules that are active in the brain and known for suppressing the formation of tumours, the research team found that the acid prevented the MSI2v cell protein from stopping the production of miR-7.  This activity, according to the scientists, could mean oleic acid supports the production of miR-7 and thus indirectly help prevent tumours from forming.  The findings were made by performing tests on human cell extracts and living cells in a laboratory.