A Common Oil Boosts Your Cancer-Fighting Ability... and Another Weakens It

Oleic Acid... Good Fuel for Immune System

A Common Oil Boosts Your Cancer-Fighting Ability... and Another Weakens It

In a groundbreaking scientific study, researchers discovered that a healthy fatty acid found in olive oil and some other foods can boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer, while another common fatty acid may weaken this ability and accelerate tumor growth.

Oleic Acid... "Good Fuel" for Immune System

A team from the University of Hong Kong has found that oleic acid (OA), found in olive oil, supports the activity of specialized immune cells known as gamma delta T cells (γδ-T cells).  These cells act as "rapid response soldiers" that attack infections and tumors in their early stages, according to a study published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, and reported by the New Atlas scientific website.

During the study, the researchers exposed these human cells—after isolating and culturing them in the lab—to oleic acid and palmitic acid (PA), found in palm oil, meat, and dairy products. Meanwhile, cells treated with oleic acid showed stabilization of mitochondria (commonly described as the cell's energy-producing factory), high metabolic activity, and an increased ability to kill cancer cells.

Meanwhile, cells exposed to palmitic acid showed metabolic failure and inflammatory self-destruction. Their energy machinery was disrupted and they died in a way that made the surrounding immune environment more aggressive, suggesting that this acid may weaken the body's ability to fight tumors.

When Food Becomes Medicine

"Our findings suggest that consuming foods rich in oleic acid, such as olive oil and avocados, can enhance the immune system's ability to monitor and fight tumors, opening up prospects for more effective cancer treatments," said lead researcher Tu Wenwei, professor of pediatric and adolescent medicine at the University of Hong Kong.

The researchers explained that the findings have practical implications, as cancer patients can improve the effectiveness of their treatments by increasing their consumption of foods rich in oleic acid, such as olives, avocados, and nuts, while reducing foods rich in palmitic acid, such as fatty meats, palm oil, and processed foods. The findings also open the door to therapeutic strategies that combine targeted nutrition with immunotherapy to improve the body's response.

Scientific Warning

However, the researchers emphasized that the findings do not imply excessive consumption of olive oil or nutritional supplements, as they have not yet been tested in humans. However, they add new evidence of the crucial role of nutrition in supporting the immune system and pave the way for the development of drugs that target fatty acids to activate γδ-T cells in the fight against cancer.