A naturally occurring compound in olives, known as elenolic acid, has emerged as a promising candidate for combating obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to recent research.
Scientists from Virginia Tech, USA, have observed that elenolic acid significantly reduces blood sugar levels in mouse models, potentially rivaling the efficacy of leading diabetes medications. This discovery was presented by clinical nutritionist Hana Alkhalidy at the NUTRITION 2024 conference in Chicago on June 29.
Dongmin Liu, a nutrition scientist at Virginia Tech, highlighted the urgency of finding effective treatments for obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. “Current obesity treatments have had limited success, are often costly, or come with safety concerns. Our aim is to create safer, more affordable, and versatile treatments to prevent metabolic disorders,” Liu explained.
Earlier studies from Liu’s lab had demonstrated that elenolic acid stimulates the release of two key metabolic hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. These hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY), are crucial in signaling fullness and controlling hunger. GLP-1 is mimicked by medications such as Ozempic to manage blood sugar and satiety, while PYY helps curb appetite.
In their recent experiments, the researchers found that a single dose of concentrated elenolic acid could trigger the secretion of both GLP-1 and PYY. Obese mice on a high-fat diet that received 50 mg/kg/day of elenolic acid for two weeks showed improved glucose tolerance and fasting blood glucose levels, comparable to mice on a standard diet.
The study, which has yet to undergo peer review, outlines that mice with type 2 diabetes and diet-induced obesity exhibited reduced weight and improved blood sugar regulation after a week of elenolic acid treatment. The specifics regarding dosage, concentration, frequency, and sample size have not been disclosed.
Unlike GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, which mimic the action of GLP-1, elenolic acid promotes the body’s natural hormone production. According to Liu’s team, its impact on blood glucose is comparable to liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and surpasses that of metformin, a common type 2 diabetes medication.
“Elenolic acid from olives shows encouraging effects on hormone secretion and metabolic health, especially in cases of obesity and diabetes,” Liu stated. “It seems to enhance the body’s natural hormone response, thereby aiding in the regulation of energy balance and metabolic health.”
Elenolic acid is naturally present in extra virgin olive oil and mature olives (Olea europaea). However, its production is more cost-effective when derived from oleuropein, a precursor found in olive skin, flesh, leaves, and seeds. Given its bitterness, oleuropein is often removed from many olive products.
While these findings are promising, they are based on mouse studies, and further research is necessary to determine the effects of elenolic acid in humans. The team is currently exploring how elenolic acid interacts with the body and assessing its safety for potential clinical trials.
The research presented at NUTRITION 2024 is still under review and has not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Related topics:
Unhealthy Sleep Patterns Linked to Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Diverse Adult Population
Increased Risk of Mental Health Issues in Children with Type 1 Diabetes
