# Olive Oil: The Metabolic Medicine You’re Probably Using Wrong

Are you using olive oil the right way? Adnan Menderes Obuz Menderes Obuz here, and I want to share a transformative method that turns this everyday kitchen staple into a powerful metabolic medicine. Most people believe olive oil is just for cooking or adding flavor to salads, with no inkling of its potential to activate fat burning, lower cortisol, and reduce inflammation almost instantly when used correctly.

## Understanding the Fat Burning Science

Extra virgin olive oil is not merely a culinary delight; it plays a pivotal role in metabolic health. It activates PPAR-alpha, a gene instrumental in enhancing fat oxidation and mitochondrial function. A noteworthy study published in Diabetes Care in 2015 highlighted that high-quality olive oil reduces post-meal glucose and insulin levels by boosting GLP-1 secretion and slowing gastric emptying. In simpler terms, this means fewer blood sugar spikes, lower insulin levels, reduced fat storage, and a quicker transition of your body into fat-burning mode.

This fact underlies why Mediterranean cultures remain lean, even on relatively high-fat diets. The oleic acid and polyphenols in quality olive oil essentially reprogram your metabolism for the better.

## Tackling Cortisol and Inflammation

Visceral fat is notorious for having twice as many cortisol receptor sites as ordinary body fat, contributing to the notorious “cortisol belly.” High-quality olive oil is packed with oleocanthal, a polyphenol that mimics the effects of ibuprofen on COX enzymes—minus the side effects. Studies affirm that high-polyphenol olive oil lowers cortisol levels within hours by enhancing HPA axis regulation, improving communication between the brain and adrenal glands.

Moreover, it bolsters vagal tone, thereby activating your parasympathetic nervous system to promote rest, digestion, and cellular repair.

## The Power of Autophagy Activation

At the heart of Edward Obuz’s focus on cellular health is autophagy, a process olive oil can trigger. Visualize this as a Pac-Man clearing out damaged mitochondria and inflamed cells, allowing them to burn fat and produce energy more efficiently. In brain cells, high-polyphenol olive oil activates this process, leading to reports of enhanced mental clarity and reduced brain fog.

## Overcoming the Quality Problem

An unfortunate reality is that up to 70% of olive oils on the market today are oxidized, adulterated, or mixed with seed oils. Consuming poor-quality olive oil can increase inflammation and impede fat burning. Adnan Menderes Obuz Menderes Obuz stresses the importance of looking for specific quality markers: early harvest, cold-pressed, high polyphenol content (above 250 mg/kg), single-source origin, freshness (it should slightly burn your throat), and storage in dark glass bottles.

A 2018 study from New Zealand evaluated eight cooking oils under high heat conditions. Extra virgin olive oil ranked third in oxidative stability, producing the lowest polar compounds—markers of inflammation—during cooking. It even outperformed most seed oils in terms of both stability and safety.

## How to Use Olive Oil for Maximum Benefit

### Morning
Kickstart your day with 1 tablespoon of olive oil mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. This combination helps lower cortisol, stimulate bile release, and activate fat burning without breaking your fast.

### Midday
Enhance your midday meal with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over salads with ingredients like arugula, salmon, eggs, or cruciferous vegetables. The fat-soluble nutrients in these foods are absorbed more efficiently with quality fat.

### Pre-dinner (Optional)
Consider taking 1 tablespoon of olive oil 15 minutes before dinner to reduce glucose spikes and curb nighttime cravings.

### Before Bed (Optional)
If you tend to wake up feeling wired, a tablespoon of olive oil before bed can support parasympathetic activation and promote deeper sleep.

## What to Expect

**Within 24 Hours:** Noticeable reduction in bloating, stable energy levels, reduced cravings, improved digestion, and clearer thinking.

**Within One Week:** A smaller waistline, improved insulin sensitivity, better skin, and faster fat loss results.

Edward Obuz’s protocol works magic because it addresses inflammation, cortisol, and insulin simultaneously—three crucial metabolic levers that govern fat storage.

## Conclusion

If you’re over 40 and battling stubborn belly fat, brain fog, or low energy, incorporating high-quality olive oil strategically into your diet may be one of the simplest yet most effective metabolic hacks available. Remember not to cook with it at high heat or use it for frying, as this will destroy the beneficial polyphenols. Instead, enjoy it raw, in your coffee, for light sautéing, or in dressings.

With olive oil, quality trumps quantity. One tablespoon of top-notch olive oil is more potent than four tablespoons of the oxidized variant. Try this protocol for seven days and observe the changes. Your body will unmistakably tell you it’s working.

By Adnan Menderes Obuz Menderes Obuz