Oleic acid
Oleic Acid[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is prevalent in various animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is an omega-9 fatty acid and is considered one of the healthier sources of fat in the diet.
Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid is a long-chain fatty acid with the chemical formula C__H__O_. It is characterized by a single double bond located at the ninth carbon from the methyl end of the fatty acid chain, making it a monounsaturated fat. The double bond is in the cis configuration, which contributes to the liquid state of oleic acid at room temperature.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid is found in high concentrations in olive oil, which is composed of about 55-83% oleic acid. Other sources include canola oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil. It is also present in animal fats, such as chicken fat and lard.
Health Benefits[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid is known for its beneficial effects on health. It is associated with reduced inflammation and has been shown to have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Diets high in oleic acid, such as the Mediterranean diet, are linked to lower risks of heart disease.
Cardiovascular Health[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels while maintaining or increasing HDL cholesterol levels. This balance is crucial for reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Anti-inflammatory Properties[edit | edit source]
The anti-inflammatory properties of oleic acid are attributed to its ability to modulate inflammatory pathways in the body. This can be beneficial in conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
Industrial Uses[edit | edit source]
Oleic acid is used in the production of soaps, detergents, and lubricants. It is also used as an emulsifying agent in the food industry and as a component in the production of biodegradable plastics.
Biochemical Role[edit | edit source]
In the body, oleic acid is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides. It is also a precursor to various signaling molecules that play roles in cellular communication and metabolism.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
