Benefits of Olive Oil After Bariatric Surgery

In recent years, bariatric surgery has become increasingly popular among those struggling with obesity. It can assist obese people lose weight and improve their health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. However, bariatric surgery also has some risks and challenges, such as nutritional deficiencies, dumping syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorders.

One of the ways to prevent or manage these complications is to follow a healthy diet after bariatric surgery. A healthy diet includes adequate protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids and moderate amounts of healthy fats. One of the best sources of healthy fats is extra virgin olive oil.

Although it’s important to note that no single “magic food” can miraculously transform one’s health, incorporating specific diet choices can make a significant difference. The use of extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in polyphenols, has been shown to have numerous benefits for patients recovering from bariatric surgery, particularly in terms of gut health and cardiometabolic functioning.

What is Olive Oil?

A liquid fat derived from olive fruit is olive oil (Olea europaea). Olive oil comes in different types based on extraction method, quality, and acidity. The most common types are:

Extra virgin olive oil:

It is the most expensive and highest quality olive oil. The oil is extracted mechanically from fresh olives without any heat or chemicals. Despite its low acidity (less than 0.8%), it has a rich flavor and aroma. It contains polyphenols and natural antioxidants that are beneficial for health.

Virgin olive oil:

The oil is similar to extra virgin olive oil but has a higher acidity level (less than 2%). It has a good flavor and aroma but fewer polyphenols than extra virgin olive oil.

Refined olive oil:

This is a lower-quality olive oil obtained from defective or damaged olives using heat and chemical processes. It has a high acidity (over 3%) and a bland taste and smell. Compared to virgin olive oil, it also contains fewer polyphenols.

Pomace olive oil:

It is the type of oil that has the lowest quality and is produced by using solvents and heat to extract it from the leftover pulp and pits of the olives from the first pressing after they have been squeezed. Despite its high acidity (over 5%), it has a poor flavor and aroma. Almost no polyphenols are present in it either.

For bariatric patients, extra virgin olive oil has the most health benefits and the fewest drawbacks as a source of fat.

How Much Olive Oil Should You Consume?

The amount of olive oil you should take after bariatric surgery depends on your age, weight, and level of activity. However, in general, you can follow the following recommendations:

To lose weight, consume 10-20 grams of olive oil (1-2 tablespoons) daily.
In order to maintain your weight after bariatric surgery, you should consume 15-25 grams (1.5-3 tablespoons).

You can use olive oil in various ways in your diet, such as:

Dressing: You can drizzle some olive oil over your salads, vegetables, soups, or sandwiches for extra flavor and nutrition.
Cooking: You can use some olive oil to sauté, roast, bake, or grill your food. However, avoid frying or deep-frying with olive oil, as high temperatures can damage its quality and health benefits.
Dipping: You can dip some bread or crackers into some olive oil mixed with herbs or spices for a tasty snack or appetizer.
Spreading: You can replace butter or margarine with some olive oil spread on your toast or bread for a healthier alternative.

However, use it carefully to avoid excess calories in salads, cooking (avoid frying), dipping, or spreading. Include other healthy fats in your diet, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, fish, and eggs.

Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for bariatric patients

Healthy Monounsaturated Fats (MUFAs):

Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, is a significant component of extra virgin olive oil. These healthy fats support heart health, as well as regulating blood lipid levels, reducing the chances of cardiovascular complications associated with obesity and post-bariatric surgery patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Polyphenols found in EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. It is well known that inflammation plays a significant role in various obesity-related health issues, so reducing inflammation can positively impact overall health.

Gut Health:

EVOO’s polyphenols promote a healthier gut microbiome by stimulating good bacteria and inhibiting harmful bacteria. For bariatric patients whose digestion has been altered, a balanced gut microbiome is essential for nutrient absorption and overall well-being.

Blood Pressure Regulation:

Studies have shown that EVOO reduces hypertension-related complications by stabilizing blood pressure. EVOO can minimize blood pressure fluctuations following bariatric surgery thanks to its ability to relax and dilate arteries.

Blood Sugar Control:

Insulin sensitivity is often improved after bariatric surgery, but blood sugar fluctuations can still occur. As a result of EVOO’s MUFAs, insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism are enhanced, resulting in improved control of blood sugar levels.

Weight Management:

Even though EVOO is high in calories, it can still be part of a balanced diet. Bariatric patients can maintain a nutritious diet by consuming it because it provides satiety and enhances the taste of their meals.

Cardioprotective Effects:

EVOO has been found to reduce the risk of coronary disease, particularly among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. It lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and increases HDL cholesterol.

Another study showed that extra virgin olive oil had a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and improving cholesterol and glucose metabolism. The study indicated that extra virgin olive oil may be a useful dietary intervention for chronic kidney disease patients.

Versatility in Cooking:

Various culinary applications can be applied to extra virgin olive oil, such as salad dressings, sautéing, roasting, and infusing into soups and sauces. Due to its versatility, bariatric patients can easily incorporate it into their diet.

To determine the right amount of EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) to consume for bariatric patients, they should consult their healthcare professionals and nutritionists. It is essential to consume EVOO in moderation as it is very calorie-dense, and bariatric patients should balance it with other essential nutrients.

Cognitive Functions

Extra-virgin olive oil has been shown to improve cognitive function in several ways. For example, it can improve brain blood flow, protect nerve cells, and reduce inflammation.

One study found that people who consumed EVOO reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s and enhanced brain connectivity than those who consumed other types of fat. Another study found that EVOO improved memory and cognitive function in older adults.

EVOO may also be beneficial for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a condition that is characterized by mild problems with memory and thinking. MCI patients are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

A study of people with MCI found that those who consumed EVOO had improved cognitive function and brain connectivity compared to those who consumed refined olive oil.

How Does Olive Oil Affect the Gut Microbiota Composition?

Gut Microbiota Composition refers to the type and amount of bacteria in the digestive tract. It can be affect by various factors such as diet, medication, stress, aging, genetics, and surgery. Maintaining healthy digestion and immunity requires a balance and diverse gut microbiota composition.

Bariatric surgery can significantly alter the gut microbiota composition, depending on its type and when it is performed. One of the most common forms of bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), reduces the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota within a few months after surgery. This can also increase the number of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia, which contribute to weight loss and glucose metabolism.

Additionally, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), another common type of bariatric surgery, can enhance the diversity of the gut flora in the first year following surgery. There is, however, a risk of increasing the levels of harmful bacteria, for example, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium, which can cause inflammation and infection.

According to studies, polyphenols in olive oil act as prebiotics and can modulate the gut microbiota after bariatric surgery. The term prebiotic refers to a substance that encourages the activity and growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Olive oil contains polyphenols that can selectively increase the abundance of probiotic bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. In addition, polyphenols from olive oil inhibit pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae.

How Olive Oil Affects the Gut Microbiota Function?

Different digestive tract bacteria interact metabolically within the gut microbiota. The effects of disease can be felt in various areas of the body, including digestion, immunity, metabolism, mood, and cognition. To maintain a healthy homeostasis, the gut microbiota must function cooperatively and functionally.

As a result of bariatric surgery, the gut microbiota’s metabolic profile and signaling pathways can be alter. For instance, the gut microbiota can produce more SCFAs when RYGB is add. The SCFAs are beneficial metabolites, providing the intestinal cells with energy and regulating various physiological processes. It has also been show that RYGB can enhance the expression of genes involve in glucose and insulin metabolism by the gut microbiota. Proteins encoded by these genes play a vital role in controlling blood sugar levels and in preventing the development of diabetes. It has been demonstrate that SG decreases SCFA production by the gut microbiota and enhances inflammation and oxidative stress gene expression. It is believe that these genes contribute to tissue damage and chronic diseases.

Olive oil can modulate the gut microbiota after bariatric surgery by providing polyphenols that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In the gut, polyphenols from olive oil reduce oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals. As well as inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, polyphenols in olive oil also modulate immune cells in the gut. It is also important to note that olive oil enhances the production of SCFAs by the gut microbiota and enhances its expression of genes associated with glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by the gut microbiota. As a result of these effects, intestinal and metabolic health can be improve after bariatric surgery.

Olive Oil’s Impact on the Blood Pressure

Basically, blood pressure is a measure of how much pressure the blood exerts on the walls of arteries, with a normal blood pressure range of below 120/80 millimeters of mercury. It has proven that high blood pressure has a higher risk of health-relate issues (hypertension). Despite its benefits of reducing body weight and heart strain, bariatric surgery can be related to fluctuations in blood pressure.

MUFAs (Monounsaturated fatty acids) found in olive oil can lower blood pressure after bariatric surgery by relaxing arteries, reducing inflammation, and modulating blood pressure-regulating hormones. According to studies, olive oil can lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, making it a valuable component of a post-operative diet for hypertensive patients.

Olive Oil’s Impact on Blood Glucose and Insulin

In addition to reducing body weight, bariatric surgery can cause fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. As a source of MUFAs, olive oil enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation in the pancreas, and modulates incretin hormone levels after surgery. Several studies have demonstrated that the consumption of olive oil can have a substantial effect on lowering blood glucose levels as well as insulin levels among diabetic patients.

Olive Oil’s Impact on Blood Lipids

A high level of blood lipids increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery can improve blood lipid levels by reducing body weight, but fluctuations can occur. After surgery, olive oil has been show to improve blood lipid levels by providing MUFAs and lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol levels and thus normalizing blood lipid levels. Studies show that olive oil consumption can significantly reduce blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemic patients.

Bariatric patients can benefit from using olive oil as part of their post-surgery diet to manage blood pressure, glucose levels, and blood lipid levels to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Role of Polyphenols in Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil contains abundant polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds. As powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, they have a variety of health benefits. Studies have examined the positive effects of polyphenols on various aspects of health, especially regarding metabolic health and weight management.

The ability of polyphenols to promote gut health is one of their key benefits. It is typical for the digestive system to undergo significant changes after bariatric surgery. Several studies have shown that polyphenols in olive oil support beneficial gut bacteria growth and inhibit harmful ones. For optimal nutrient absorption and overall health, gut microbiome balance is essential.

So, how can you include it in your diet? Try the Mediterranean diet!

The Mediterranean Diet Connection

The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet. Olive oil consumption is a significant health benefit of the Mediterranean diet. The diet emphasizes fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, which aligns with the recommendations made for people who have undergone bariatric surgery and who need to eat healthily.

According to one study, the Mediterranean diet has a number of health benefits for people with obesity and obesity-related disorders, including:

Weight loss and maintenance
Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
Improved blood sugar control
Reduced inflammation
Improved gut health

The study also found that the Mediterranean diet is a safe and sustainable dietary pattern for people of all ages. Hence, a Mediterranean-style diet that includes extra virgin olive oil can help patients maintain a balanced and nutritious eating pattern while also taking advantage of the heart-healthy properties of this oil.

Conclusion

Even though no single “magic food” will solve all post-bariatric surgery challenges, extra virgin olive oil is a valuable addition to the diet. It can enhance gut and cardiovascular health by supplying polyphenols and MUFAs. Aside from improving the gut microbiota, olive oil may also improve the health outcomes and weight loss of bariatric surgery patients as it modulates gut microbiota, improves intestinal barrier function, lowers blood pressure and lipids, improves insulin sensitivity, improves glucose metabolism, protects the liver from damage, and prevents cardiovascular disease. So, if you have undergone bariatric surgery, you should start consuming extra virgin olive oil.