Fat from olive oil and nuts boosts the numbers of two key cellular structures and protects membranes from damage, lengthening the lives of laboratory worms, Stanford Medicine-led study finds.
By Krista Conger – Stanford Medicine News
People who follow the Mediterranean diet — rich in fats from olive oil and nuts — tend to live longer, healthier lives than others who chow down primarily on fast food, meat and dairy. But it hasn’t been clear on a cellular level exactly why the diet is so beneficial.
Now researchers led by the Stanford School of Medicine have found one of the first cellular connections between healthy fats — known as monounsaturated fatty acids — and lifespan in laboratory worms. The finding hints at a complex relationship between diet, fats and longevity.
“Fats are generally thought to be detrimental to health,” said professor of genetics Anne Brunet, PhD. “But some studies have shown that specific types of fats, or lipids, can be beneficial.”
