C60 olive oil in autumn and winter:
why people use it and what the science says

The days are getting shorter, we spend more time indoors and many people take a fresh look at their daily routines in autumn. For a growing group of biohackers and longevity enthusiasts, that routine includes a spoonful of C60 olive oil. In this blog we explain what C60 olive oil is, why people use it in the autumn and winter months in particular, and what scientific research has and has not shown so far.

What is C60 olive oil?

C60, also known as buckminsterfullerene or the "buckyball", is a molecule of 60 carbon atoms shaped like a football. It was discovered in 1985, a discovery later recognised with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. C60 does not dissolve in water, but it does dissolve in fats. That is why it is dissolved in a carrier such as olive oil.

In chemical and biological research, C60 is known for its strong ability to bind free radicals. As a result, it is often described in the literature as an antioxidant. That is a property of the molecule under laboratory conditions, not a proven effect in humans.

Why do people use C60 olive oil in autumn and winter in particular?

Users mention various reasons for choosing C60 olive oil in autumn and winter. These are their motives, not claims by CSixtyLabs:

In autumn

• Back to a fixed routine. After the summer, with its holidays, barbecues and irregular days, many people pick up their habits again in September and October. For those active in the longevity world, it is the moment to review their supplements and rituals.
• The change of season. Shorter days, changeable temperatures and the start of the heating season prompt many users to pay more attention to their daily health habits.
• The olive harvest season. In the Mediterranean, olives are harvested from October to December. Around that time there is traditionally a lot of attention for extra virgin olive oil, and with it for C60 dissolved in olive oil.

In winter

• Something to hold on to in the dark months. In winter, many people look for structure in small daily habits. A spoonful of oil at breakfast fits easily into such a ritual.
• Interest in antioxidants. Cold, little daylight, dry indoor air and a busy festive season make people more aware of oxidative stress. The antioxidant properties of C60 in lab studies therefore spark their curiosity.
• New Year's resolutions and biohacking. Around the New Year, many biohackers evaluate their routines and try out new things. C60 has been a well-known topic in that community since a striking rat study from 2012.

Throughout the cold season

• The skin. Autumn wind, winter cold and heated indoor spaces dry out the skin. Some people therefore also use C60 oil topically, as part of their skincare.
• Olive oil as a carrier. Those who already value extra virgin olive oil as part of a Mediterranean diet see C60 in olive oil as a logical combination.

Whether C60 actually does anything for these purposes is a different question. For that, we look at the research.

What do the studies say?

The findings of research into C60 olive oil are contradictory. A small rat study from 2012 reported a strikingly positive result, but later animal studies did not produce a consistent picture. There are no studies in humans.

Flu season and fullerenes: what is being researched?

As soon as flu season starts in autumn, the question often comes up whether C60 has anything to do with viruses. There is indeed laboratory research on fullerenes and influenza viruses, but it is important to read carefully what exactly was tested.

• In 2013, Japanese researchers screened 12 chemically modified C60 derivatives in the lab. Several of them inhibited an enzyme of the influenza A virus and infection in cell cultures (PLOS ONE, 2013).
• In 2023, a Russian team described water-soluble fullerene derivatives that inhibited a range of influenza viruses in vitro. The authors themselves call this an early stage of research into possible medicines (Microorganisms, 2023).

Please note: these studies used chemically modified, water-soluble fullerenes in cell cultures, not pure C60 in olive oil and not in humans. They therefore say nothing about the effect of C60 olive oil on flu or colds. We mention them because they often circulate online, and it is useful to know exactly what they are about.

Quality and storage in the cold months

C60 and extra virgin olive oil are both sensitive to light and heat. Quality and proper storage therefore matter. Here are a few tips for anyone who keeps C60 olive oil at home.

• Protect from light. Light can cause both the olive oil and the dissolved C60 to break down. Store the bottle in its original, dark packaging and in a cupboard, not on a windowsill.
• Cloudiness in the cold is normal. Extra virgin olive oil can turn cloudy or form small flakes at low temperatures. This is a natural property of olive oil. Let the bottle come to room temperature and it will become clear again.
• Avoid heat sources. During the heating season, do not place the bottle next to a radiator or stove.
• Ask for a certificate of analysis. Because the quality of C60 products can vary widely, a certificate of analysis (CoA) for each batch is essential. At CSixtyLabs, the certificate for every batch, including the test for residual solvents such as toluene, can be downloaded free of charge from our quality page.