NutritionEd:

I found a very interesting article the other day in the Globe and Mail regarding satiety. It is well established now that protein in food provides more satiation during eating than the other macronutrients (CHO and FAT). What is interesting about this article is that researchers found a certain type of fat, oleic acic, appears to also have a satiating effect.

In a study involving lab mice, the researchers found that when oleic acid reaches the small intestine it is converted into a hormone called oleoylethanolamide, or OEA. This hormone, in turn, sends hunger-dampening signals to the brain. That means you can go longer without eating.

I find this very interesting as I had learned in school that Fat, overall, was low on the satiety totem pole. (that sensation of feeling “full” after consuming a fatty meal is likely the protein rather than the fat… or simply nausea.)

The possibility that certain fats are more satiating than others shouldn’t be surprising I suppose. Though the mechansim is signicantly different, carbs also have varying degrees of satiety.  ie: high fiber = full faster… hopefully everyone knows that by now!

So, could the dawn of the next food combining “craze” soon be upon us? Do you think the food industry will jump on research like this and, before you know it, we’ll be offered bizarre foods like Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protein Bars? Hmmmm, could be tasty.

Click here for the the Globe article or here for the paper’s abstract.

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