Olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to a whole host of positive health benefits. Now, researchers believe that consumption of more olive oil could help prevent ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease that results in the formation of ulcers in the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Recent findings point to diets that are rich in olive oil, and the oleic acid that they contain, have a significantly lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Oleic acid is a monosaturated fatty acid that is also found in peanut oil, grapeseed oil, and butter and margarine.

To arrive at their conclusions, researchers examined the medical records of over 25,000 people between the ages of 40-65 years. The subjects were part of a larger study that was looking into the relationship between diet and chronic disease. None of the subjects had the condition in the beginning of the study, and over the course of five years, maintained detailed food diaries chronicling what they ate during that time. The information was later analyzed by trained nutritionists.

What they found was that by 2004, a certain number of the subjects had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When their diets were compared to the individuals who did not have the disease, there was an indication that diets with high intakes of oleic acid had a lower incidence of the condition. In fact, when people consumed high amounts of oleic acid, their risk of developing colitis was reduced by as much as 90%.

The reason that oleic acid seems to confer some sort of protection is believed to be rooted in its ability to block certain chemicals in the bowels that cause inflammation, which is a hallmark of the disease. Researchers believe that as many as half of the cases of ulcerative colitis could be avoided if consumption of oleic acid was increased by way of as little as two to three tablespoons each day.

Before any definitive conclusions can be made, however, more studies need to be undertaken in order to reproduce the results. Nonetheless, the data does seem to lend some support to the consumption of a nutritious diet, of which healthy fats are a part of, which would include olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids. If the findings are in fact confirmed, then experts believe that current dietary guidelines may need to be revised, especially in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects nearly one million people in the United States. It affects people of all ages, though it is usually begins between the ages of 15 and 30 years and can run in families. Symptoms include abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, as well as anemia, fatigue, loss of appetite with subsequent weight loss, and joint pain. When it affects children, it can result in growth issues.

Treatment options include medication and dietary modifications. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. If you suspect that you may be suffering from ulcerative colitis, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. For more information, visit the website for the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).