Olive Oil Helps Prevent Colon Cancer?

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Olive Oil Helps Prevent Colon Cancer?

Animal studies have consistently shown an association between high-fat diets and the development of colon cancer, while other studies have suggested that this association is influenced not only by the amount of fat but by its fatty acid composition.

The effect of olive oil on colon carcinogenesis has received little attention in research. The current paper investigated this potential relationship. One hundred and three rats were randomly assigned to receive a diet rich in one of three particular types of fatty acids found in oil (safflower oil, olive oil or fish oil). After one week receiving a 5% fat diet, each dietary group was redivided, with half of the animals receiving carcinogen treatment and half receiving saline.

Rats fed a diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower incidence of colon cancer than rats supplemented with safflower oil, and almost as low as those fed fish oil (already established as a colon cancer-fighting agent). The authors conclude: "olive oil may have chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis."

Bartoli R, Fernández-Bañares F, Navarro E, et al. Effect of olive oil on early and late events of colon carcinogenesis in rats: modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and local prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Gut 2000:46, pp191-99.