Oleanolic Acid Reduces Visceral Obesity in Mice

As I indicated in yesterday's blog on the increasing availability of energy-dense foods, it is becoming more important that we make appropriate food choices.  While we know that fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense foods that can help us meet our nutritional needs without having to overeat, we are still learning about all the various compents in these foods that might have additional benefits.

A new study examined the effect of oleanolic acid, a natural compound found in many fruits and vegetables, on body weight, abdominal (belly) fat, blood sugar health, and more in mice fed high-fat diets.  For this study researchers fed mice high-fat diets for 15 weeks and treated them with either (1) nothing, (2) oleanolic acid or (3) sibutramine, a common weight loss drug.  Compared to untreated mice, the mice fed oleanolic acid showed decreased body weight and decreased belly fat.  Additionally, oleanolic acid consumption promoted better blood sugar health and better cholesterol health.  The benefits of oleanolic acid on body weight and belly fat were similar to what was observed in the mice treated with the weight loss drug sibutramine.

Oleanolic acid has been reported to have many potential benefits, partly due to anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  These properties might also be responsible, at least in part, for the positive weight and fat loss results seen in this study.  Since oleanolic acid is commonly found in many fruits and vegetables, we have yet another reason to make sure we eat our recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables.  This study suggests that not only do fruits and vegetables help us meet our nutritional needs, they also contain naturally-occuring compounds that might help in weight management.

Make sure you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day as part of any healthy eating plan, including my easy plan.  Visit us at www.drtabor.com to learn more.