This compound in olive oil may cut on cancer development in brain

Olive oil has many health benefits and now it has come that a compound found in olive oil may help prevent cancer developing in the brain, according to a study.

Research into oleic acid was done and it was found that it can contribute in preventing cancer-causing genes from functioning in cells. Oleic acid is the primary ingredient in olive oil.

Production of a cell molecule that functions to prevent formation of cancer-causing proteins is triggered by the oily substance- one of a group of nutrients called fatty acids.

“While we cannot yet say that olive oil in the diet helps prevent brain cancer, our findings do suggest that oleic acid can support the production of tumour-suppressing molecules in cells grown in the lab,” said lead researcher Gracjan Michlewski of the University of Edinburgh in Britain.

“Further studies could help determine the role that olive oil might have in brain health,” Michlewski added.

In the Journal of Molecular Biology, the findings were published and in that possible therapies based on the oil to prevent brain cancer are described.

The effect of oleic acid on a cell molecule in brain, known as miR-7, was analysed by the scientists. The molecule is active in brain and is known for preventing the formation of tumours.

They found that oleic acid prevents a cell protein, known as MSI2, from stopping production of miR-7.

So this way the production of miR-7 which prevents production of tumours, is increased by the olive oil, component, according to the study.

Human cell extracts and living cells were tested by researchers to for the discovery.