Science has long known that not all fats are created equal, but a surprising new study from the University of Barcelona has found that a super-saturated fat, palmitic acid, may accelerate type 2 diabetes, while oleic acid offers protective benefits.
Last workpublished Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, examined the effects of palmitic acid and oleic acid and found that these oils behave very differently inside the body. “Palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid widely found in food, is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity, while oleic acid, abundant in olive oil, may have a protective effect against this metabolic disorder.” Professor Manuel Vasquez-Carrera explainedwho was part of the founding research team.
What is palmitic acid and why are researchers concerned?
In fact, experts have even theorized that the type of fat we eat is more important than the total amount. This is because palmitic acid, a saturated fat found in meat, milk and vegetable oils, causes metabolic disease. “At the molecular level, palmitic acid promotes the accumulation of potentially toxic bioactive lipids, induces chronic low-grade inflammation and contributes to the destruction of cell organelles,” said Xavier Palomer, first author of the project.
Why oleic acid can support better metabolic health
While palmitic acid can be found in many foods, the total amount consumed is often increased by its use in cooking oils. However, oleic acid, a naturally occurring omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid found primarily in olive oil, may be a better option. This is because oleic acid has a favorable metabolic profile, helps maintain lipids with minimal disruption of physiological processes, and helps maintain proper insulin signaling in key tissues such as liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.
Research shows that oleic acid may even counteract many of the negative effects of palmitic acid, which may explain why diets rich in monounsaturated fats, such as the Mediterranean diet, are consistently associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
