Olive oil Your Friendly Fat

Olive oil isn't only a boon to heart health. New research shows it may have other powers, too.

Oleic acid -- a healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive
oil -- may help disarm a gene that prompts breast cancer cells to grow and divide, a recent study revealed. Add this health-friendly fat to your diet by sautéing veggies and other foods in olive oil instead of butter. Choose an olive oil-based dressing for salads, too.

Monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados, are credited with boosting heart and artery health by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol. Now, a new study provides evidence that oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is the main component of olive oil, may inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer, specifically breast cancer. In the study, oleic acid was found to inhibit the overactive Her-2 gene that stimulates growth and division of certain kinds of breast cancer cells. To keep your olive oil in tip-top condition, store it away from light and heat that can cause the oil to oxidize and turn rancid. Buy olive oil in opaque bottles to help protect it from light. Decant a small amount of olive oil into a bottle for everyday use and store the rest in a cool, dark, dry environment. For a new twist, infuse olive oil with your favorite herbs by putting a sprig of thyme or rosemary in the bottle.

Eating a low-fat diet--and eating healthful unsaturated fats when you do eat fat--can make your age as much as 6 years younger.