Health Benefits

How Olive Oil Packed Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk

^{Updated March 13th 2023}

Summary

• Research studies are providing better and better documentation for the anti-cancer benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• As few as 1–2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil per day have been associated with decreased risk of breast, respiratory tract, and digestive tract cancers.
• The overall phenolic content of Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been associated with a decreased ability of cancer cells to regenerate.
• Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is high in polyphenols, including Oleuropein, Tyrosol and Hydroxytyrosol. These have been identified as having the most significant effect on cancerous cells.

Contents

1. New Study Links Mediterranean Diet With Reduced Prostate Cancer Risk
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Reduced Cancer Risk
3. Polyphenol Oleocanthal In Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4. The Science Behind Olive Oil And Reduced Cancer Risk
5. Role Of Olive Oil In Reducing Oxidative Stress
6. How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Combat Cancer
7. Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols
8. Oleocanthal Induces LMP And Cathepsin Leakage In Cancer Cells.

Men who follow a Mediterranean Diet or Asian Diet, rich in fresh fruit and vegetables are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to new research.

The study, published by Cancers heaps further evidence on the health benefits of a Mediterranean Diet, which relies heavily on quality extra virgin olive oil as its primary source of healthy fat. 

As reported in Breakinglatestnews.com,  researchers the University of South Australia compared the concentrations of micronutrients in the plasma of prostate cancer patients with those of a control group, finding low levels of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and selenium and high levels of iron, sulfur compounds and calcium in patients with prostate cancer.

Key Mediterranean Foods To Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

Morocco Fruit and Vegetable Market

In particular, men with plasma lycopene concentrations below 0.25 µg/mL and/or below 120 µg/mL of selenium had an increased risk of prostate cancer and are probably more sensitive to the harmful effects of radiation. Among the foods rich in lycopene we find tomatoes, melons, papayas, grapes, peaches and watermelons, while among the foods rich in selenium there are meat, fish, eggs and peanuts. Finally, according to the authors, consuming foods rich in these compounds is preferable to taking supplements.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Reduced Cancer Risk

Are you looking to reduce your risk of cancer with dietary changes? Look no further: the answer may lie in the delicious aroma and flavor of extra virgin olive oil. It has been a staple of Mediterranean diets for centuries, but its healing benefits have become well-documented only recently – many studies are now showing that its polyphenol content can protect from different kinds of cancer.

The findings follow numerous research studies which document the anti-cancer benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, another staple in the Mediterranean Diet.

The powerful health benefits of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil has been recognised in a top six hit list of foods that help minimise the risk of cancer.

The presence of Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil gives it top billing in a handy new guide from eastmojo.com which outlines key foods that reduce cancer risk. It says:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains a powerful compound called Oleocanthal, which aids in the killing of cancer cells in the body without harming healthy cells. Because of its numerous health advantages, this potent healthy oil is a staple of the Mediterranean Diet. It can easily be used as cooking oil or as a salad dressing.

Polyphenol Oleocanthal In Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The importance and uniqueness of Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil is that it has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory action on the body is very similar to ibuprofen, one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs most widely consumed.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, can be differentiated from steroids because they have far fewer secondary effects. NSAIDS have proven to have very beneficial effects in diseases that involve chronic inflammation processes, such as degenerative and neurodegenerative illnesses (Alzheimer).

Extra Virgin Olive Oil sits alongside five other healthy boosting foods: green tea, tomatoes, onions & garlic, dark green vegetables and turmeric which should be incorporated in to our diet to boost chances of cancer prevention.

The Science Behind Olive Oil And Reduced Cancer Risk

Research studies are providing better and better documentation for the anti-cancer benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Early studies in this area were largely limited to research using rats and mice or research on cell cultures in the lab. But more recent studies have looked at people incorporating Extra Virgin Olive Oil into their everyday meal plan and have found encouraging results.

As few as 1–2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil per day have been associated with decreased risk of breast, respiratory tract, and digestive tract cancers. In the case of the digestive tract, reduced risk seems more likely in the upper tract (stomach and small intestine) than in the lower digestive tract (large intestine, including the colon).

Scientists have looked at several different mechanisms that might allow Extra Virgin Olive Oil to provide these anti-cancer effects. One group of studies have focused on the secoiridoids, oleuropein and decarboxylmethyl oleuropein, and determined that these Extra Virgin Olive Oil phytonutrients help shift some of our metabolic pathways in the direction of better stress resistance. In addition, the overall phenolic content of Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been associated with a decreased ability of cancer cells to regenerate. At least some of this effect involves the ability of two phenols in Extra Virgin Olive Oil—tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol—to block activity of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MM-2).

Role Of Olive Oil In Reducing Oxidative Stress

The multiplication of cancer cells depends on an adequate supply of oxygen, and in order to obtain this supply of oxygen, cancer cell growth is often accompanied by the formation of new blood vessels (through a process called angiogenesis). Because the activity of MM-2 is needed to trigger this process of new blood vessel formation, substances that block MM-2 activity can also lessen the likelihood of new blood vessel formation. The tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol in Extra Virgin Olive Oil may decrease the likelihood of cancer cell regeneration by interfering with angiogenesis and lowering the supply of oxygen that would otherwise be available for new blood vessel formation.

How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Combat Cancer

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is probably the most extensively researched foodstuff on the planet and the health benefits are evidence based. Thanks to the recent spotlight on the Mediterranean Diet, extensive research has been done on the composition of best olive oil. What has been discovered is an extensive list of phytonutrients; one of the most praised is its polyphenols.

Beneficial effects of natural plant polyphenols on the human body have been evaluated in a number of scientific research projects. Bioactive polyphenols are natural compounds of various chemical structures. Their sources are mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, roots, bark, leaves of different plants, herbs, whole grain products, processed foods (dark chocolate), as well as tea, coffee, and red wine. Polyphenols are believed to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. Biological activity of polyphenols is strongly related to their antioxidant properties. They tend to reduce the pool of reactive oxygen species as well as to neutralize potentially carcinogenic metabolites. A broad spectrum of health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprises antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. Scientific studies present the ability of polyphenols to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation of white blood cells, and also the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in the immunological defense. The aim of the review is to focus on polyphenols of olive oil in context of their biological activities.

Keywords: olive oil, Olea europea, polyphenols, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, anticancer therapy

Polyphenols have been shown to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the progression of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and cancer diseases. The mechanism of action of polyphenols strongly relates to their antioxidant activity. Polyphenols are known to decrease the level of reactive oxygen species in the human body. In addition, health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprise anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. There is a body of research demonstrating their ability to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation and activity of white blood cells, as well as the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in immunological defence.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols

Our latset harvest has produced a low acidity level of 0.2% together with the highest level of polyphenols yet seen in our extra virgin olive oil. This includes the key polyphenols identified as having the most significant effect on cancerous cells, Oleuropein, Hydroxytyrosol and Tyrosol.

Investigating Polyphenolic Compounds In Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Many studies have identified the components of extra virgin olive oil which confer health benefits, but few have tested the effect of high phenolic extra virgin olive oil on cancer.

Dr Limor Goren, Hunter College of the City University of New York and Dr David Foster, has recently carried out research to explore the anti-cancer effects of oleocanthal, a phenolic compound found in extra virgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is the molecule thought to be responsible for the ‘peppery’ sensation at the back of your throat when you take certain extra virgin olive oils. In fact, this is how the molecule got its name, ’oleo’ means oil and ‘canth’ is Greek for stinging or prickly.

The study has shown that oleocanthal specifically kills human cancer cells, but not normal, non-cancerous cells. The authors suggest that this is due to the ability of oleocanthal to induce the death of cancer cells through lysosomal membrane permeabilisation (LMP). Permeabilising the lysosomal membrane allows digestive enzymes stored inside this organelle to be released, which preferentially causes cell death in cancer cells. In their latest study, they found that oleocanthal was able to induce LMP in cancer cells grown in the laboratory. The team tested whether the observed damage to lysozymes was actually due to permeation of the membrane, or whether something else could have damaged them. Interestingly, purified lysosomes outside the cell were not affected by oleocanthal, indicating that oleocanthal only induces lysosomal permeability in a cellular context.

One limitation identified by Dr Goren is that this work used purified oleocanthal, therefore it is not known whether oleocanthal in a more natural form, i.e. as a component of olive oil, can cause a similar outcome. To overcome this, the group carried out a similar experiment using olive oil enriched cell culture media and found similar results.

Furthermore, recognising that different olive oils have different oleocanthal concentrations due to their origin, harvest time, and processing methods, the researchers tested a variety of olive oils to determine their respective concentrations of oleocanthal, which ranged from very low to very high. The olive oils that had high oleocanthal content completely killed cancer cells in vitro (in a petri dish), in a manner similar to purified oleocanthal. The olive oils with average oleocanthal content reduced viability, but to a lesser extent. Those with no oleocanthal had no effect on cell viability.

Oleocanthal extends life span of mice with tumours

In addition to the findings in cancer cells discussed above, Dr Goren and colleagues also found that injection of oleocanthal into mice engineered to develop pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, reduced their tumour burden and extended the lifespan of the mice. More specifically, the oleocanthal injections extended the lives of the mice by an average of four weeks. Based on lifespan conversion, if oleocanthal has the same effect in humans, it might extend human life by more than 10 years.

Oleocanthal induces LMP and cathepsin leakage in cancer cells.

A separate study, which was conducted by scientists from Weill Cornell Medicine, Rutgers University, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in addition to Hunter College, supports the findings of how oleocanthal kills cancer cells. As mentioned previously, oleocanthal induces damage to cancer cells’ lysosomes, cell components that contain enzymes used to break down larger molecules like proteins. The oleocanthal degrades the integrity of the lysosomal membrane, releasing the enzymes into the cells’ cytoplasm, which leads to cell death. Cancer cells often have larger and more numerous lysosomes, making them more vulnerable to oleocanthal than other cells. Furthermore, many cancer cells upregulate the formation and turnover of lysosomes and their enzymatic contents.

Extra virgin olive oil is a tried and tested natural remedy for many ailments but in order to potentially harness its benefits for cancer treatment more needs to be understood about the type of olive oil, and the dose required in humans. In addition, this study shows that it is not just any olive oil that is important, but the high concentration of phenolic compounds of the selected oil that is crucial.

Shows how both these diets, including best olive oil – extra virgin olive oil – delivers more health benefits.

^{Updated December 14th 2022}

Summary

• The Keto Diet and the Mediterranean Diet have a lot in common – including their effects on managing blood sugar levels and preventing preventing Type 2 diabetes.
• Diabetes often lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels and raises triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Both increase the risk for heart disease and stroke. 
• The high levels of polyphenols in cold pressed extra virgin olive oil can protect against coronary heart disease by  reducing cholesterol absorption, which in turn can result in decreased delivery of cholesterol to the liver.
• Studies have demonstrated better insulin secretion and better regulation of blood sugar levels following the inclusion of extra virgin olive oil in participants lunch meals.
• Beneficial effects of natural plant polyphenols on the human body have been evaluated in a number of scientific research projects.
• Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is high in polyphenols, including Tyrosol.
• Tyrosol is one of the most abundant polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil, where they occur as such, or in the form of esters of elenolic acid.
• Its beneficial properties for human health are strongly related to the ability of the molecule to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species as well as to activate endogenous antioxidant systems in the body.

Contents

1. Mediterranean and Keto Diets with Olive Oil
2. Less Fiber With Keto Diet Than Mediterranean Diet
3. Which Is Best: Mediterranean Diet Or Keto Diet?
4. How Olive Oil Can Stabilise Blood Sugar Levels
5. Blood Sugar Levels And Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6. Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols
7. Tyrosol : A Key Polyphenol In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
8. Health Benefits Of Tyrosol
9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Diabetes : A Further Study
10. What is blood sugar (glucose)?

Mediterranean and Keto Diets with Olive Oil

You may think of the Keto Diet and the Mediterranean Diet as two very different things. But as it turns out, they have a lot in common – including their effects on blood sugar levels. In fact, research shows that both diets can be helpful for people with diabetes or prediabetes. Here’s a look at how keto and mediterranean diet work to improve blood sugar control, and why they might be good options for you.

According to a new study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, both The Mediterranean Diet and The Keto Diet were shown to be helpful in managing blood sugar levels and preventing preventing Type 2 diabetes.

As reported in parade.com, the study followed 40 people with pre-type two diabetes as they adhered to the Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks. Then, they committed to the ketogenic diet for 12 weeks.  Researchers pointed out that there are some ways the diets are similar. What they have in common is that both are low-carbohydrate. Non-starchy vegetables, foods low in sugar, and avoiding refined grains are all key components of both diets. However, the key differences noted were that the Mediterranean diet includes legumes, fruit, and whole grains while the ketogenic diet minimizes these foods.

Less Fiber With Keto Diet Than Mediterranean Diet

As well as establishing that both diets contributed to stabilising blood sugar, study researchers found that people on the ketogenic diet consumed less fiber than those on the Mediterranean diet.

Speaking in Parade.com, Registered dietitian Melissa Rifkin, RD, says that fiber is a key nutrient for keeping blood sugar levels steady. “The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, which all contain fiber. Per serving, most of these foods contain at least two grams of fiber, and some have over four grams in a single serving,” she says.

Registered dietitianAyat Sleymann, RDN, adds that besides eating a diet rich in the foods mentioned above, following the Mediterranean diet also includes eating fish and seafood two times a week, eating moderate portions (daily or weekly) of eggs, dairy, cheese, and eggs, and rarely eating meat, ultra-processed foods, and sweets.

Rifkin explains that fiber slows down digestion which reduces the speed at which carbohydrate, including sugar, enters the bloodstream. “When carb slowly enters the bloodstream there is less likely to be a significant jump in blood sugar.” she says. “Also by replacing saturated fats with more heart-healthy fats like olive oil, sensitivity to insulin improves,” Sleymann adds. This is how the Mediterranean diet keeps blood sugar levels steady.

Even though study participants who followed the ketogenic diet consumed less fiber than when they stuck to the Mediterranean diet, Sleymann says the reason why the eating plan was successful in keeping blood sugar levels steady is because it’s low-carb. “[This] eliminates large spikes in blood sugar that can occur when carbohydrates, mainly simple carbohydrates, are consumed,” she says.

Which Is Best: Mediterranean Diet Or Keto Diet?

As we have seen from the research, both the Mediterranean diet and the ketogenic diet had positive effects on blood sugar levels, so which one is best to follow?

It is worth noting that, when it comes to overall heart health, The Mediterranean Diet is frequently reported to come out on top.

The British Heart Foundation carried out a study that showed increasing your extra virgin olive oil consumption by 10g a day could cut your risk of cardiovascular death and heart disease by 10 per cent.

Researchers analysed the effect of a Mediterranean diet on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in more than 7,200 men and women between 55 and 80 years old over an average of five years.

Participants were split randomly into three groups – a Mediterranean Diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean Diet supplemented with nuts, and a control group following a low fat diet.

Extra virgin olive oil is a better quality than ordinary olive oil as it contains high levels of antioxidants also found in grape skins, olives and sesame seeds which are thought to benefit the heart. A second study reanalysed the results of the research and found the antioxidants also helped reduce mortality rates.

How Olive Oil Can Stabilise Blood Sugar Levels

According to the American Heart Association (AHA)  diabetes often lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels and raises triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Both increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.  But, the high levels of polyphenols in cold pressed extra virgin olive oil can protect against coronary heart disease by  reducing cholesterol absorption, which in turn can result in decreased delivery of cholesterol to the liver.

Foods Which Reduce The Risk Of High Cholesterol And Diabetes

According to a recent report in ActiveBeat.com Olive Oil is one of ten foods which can help reduce your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The report explains how olive oil contains heart-healthy phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that help block cholesterol absorption.

Researchers at Biofortis Clinical Research, claim that consuming extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) decreases heart rate and diastolic blood pressure. The study monitored the effects of extra virgin olive oil on a group of 54 healthy male and female participants, for a total of 21 days and discovered that olive oil decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol by 11-percent. Interestingly enough, the same study found that corn oil was able to lower total cholesterol by roughly 9-percent.

Blood Sugar Levels And Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Regulation of blood sugar (glucose) especially after eating is one regulatory system that has a definite friend in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. One recent study on individuals diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) helps explain the ability of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to improve blood sugar regulation.

Like this name implies, IFG is a condition in which blood sugar levels are too high, even when no food is being eaten and digested. However, in this particular study, participants were given a little less than one tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil along with a familiar lunch meal of pasta, salad, fruit, and a slice of ham. When the participants’ insulin and blood sugar levels were measured at one hour and two hours after lunch, their blood sugar levels were found to be significantly lower due to this added Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Researchers for this study went one step further, however. They looked at potential ways in which Extra Virgin Olive Oil might have produced these desirable effects. What they found were higher levels of incretins, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in the blood of participants after consuming Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Since these incretins are molecules that stimulate more insulin production, raising their levels resulted in more insulin secretion and more removal of sugars from the blood.

In short, these study participants achieved better insulin secretion and better regulation of blood sugar levels following their lunch meal through the addition of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Improve Blood Sugar Levels

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is probably the most extensively researched foodstuff on the planet and the health benefits are evidence based. Thanks to the recent spotlight on the Mediterranean Diet, extensive research has been done on the composition of best olive oil. What has been discovered is an extensive list of phytonutrients; one of the most praised is its polyphenols.

Beneficial effects of natural plant polyphenols on the human body have been evaluated in a number of scientific research projects. Bioactive polyphenols are natural compounds of various chemical structures. Their sources are mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, roots, bark, leaves of different plants, herbs, whole grain products, processed foods (dark chocolate), as well as tea, coffee, and red wine. Polyphenols are believed to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. Biological activity of polyphenols is strongly related to their antioxidant properties. They tend to reduce the pool of reactive oxygen species as well as to neutralize potentially carcinogenic metabolites. A broad spectrum of health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprises antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. Scientific studies present the ability of polyphenols to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation of white blood cells, and also the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in the immunological defense. The aim of the review is to focus on polyphenols of olive oil in context of their biological activities.

Keywords: olive oil, Olea europea, polyphenols, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, anticancer therapy

Polyphenols have been shown to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the progression of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and cancer diseases. The mechanism of action of polyphenols strongly relates to their antioxidant activity. Polyphenols are known to decrease the level of reactive oxygen species in the human body. In addition, health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprise anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. There is a body of research demonstrating their ability to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation and activity of white blood cells, as well as the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in immunological defence.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols

Our latset harvest has produced a low acidity level of 0.2% together with the highest level of polyphenols yet seen in our extra virgin olive oil.

Tyrosol : A Key Polyphenol In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Tyrosol is a phenylethanoid, a derivative of phenethyl alcohol. It is a natural phenolic antioxidant present in a variety of natural sources. The principal source for human diet is in high quality extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold. As an antioxidant, tyrosol can protect cells against injury due to oxidation.

Along with hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol is one of the most abundant polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil, where they occur as such, or in the form of esters of elenolic acid. There is an increasing level of research into these polyphenols and their properties to determine which is the most significant contributor towards the range of health benefits associated with high quality extra virgin olive oil.

Tyrosol is a colourless solid at room temperature, melting at 91–92°C and slightly soluble in water. Hydroxytyrosol on the other hand appears as a clear colourless liquid at room temperature. It is now believed that this affects the rate of ‘uptake’ when ingested with hydoxytyrosol acting more quickly in the gut, however tyrosol accumululating intercellularly over time to provide longer term protection due to its higher concentration and good bioavailability.

Source: Sciencedirect.com

Health Benefits Of Tyrosol

Its beneficial properties for human health are strongly related to the ability of the molecule to scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species as well as to activate endogenous antioxidant systems in the body. Free radical scavenging properties have been convincingly confirmed in studies on rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Diabetes : A Further Study

In a further study, conducted at Sapienza University in Romen, researchers examined the health benefits of a traditional Mediterranean diet, including extra virgin olive oil for people with diabetes

This was a small study involving only 25 participants, all of whom ate a typical Mediterranean lunch consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables, grains and fish on two separate occasions. For the first meal, they added 10g of extra virgin olive oil. For the second, they added 10g of corn oil. After each meal, the participants blood glucose levels were tested. The rise in blood sugar levels was much smaller after the meal with extra virgin olive oil than after the meal with corn oil.

“Lowering blood glucose and cholesterol may be useful to reduce the negative effects of glucose and cholesterol on the cardiovascular system,” said Francesco Violo, lead author of the study.

The findings were consistent with previous studies, which have linked extra virgin olive oil to higher levels of insulin, making it beneficial to people with type 2 diabetes.
More surprising, however, were the reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, associated with the extra virgin olive oil meal.

The researchers stressed that consuming extra virgin olive oil on its own is not going to provide the benefits observed during the study. Rather, it has to be consumed within the context of a balanced diet.

Extra virgin olive oil lowers blood glucose and cholesterol .

What is blood sugar (glucose)?

Blood sugar (glucose) is the key to keeping the working of the body in good condition. When blood sugar levels start to fluctuate, the body starts showing signs of unhealthy functioning.

Glucose plus healthy fat (monosaturated fats such as are found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil) is the preferred source of energy in the body. While glucose is important, it is also important to keep it in moderation. When we eat, our body immediately starts processing glucose. Enzymes breakdown with the help of pancreas.

In some people (diabetics) people cannot completely rely on pancreas to work. Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas doesn’t produce adequate insulin.

Maintaining glucose levels is important for normal functioning of the body. The ideal range of sugar levels is 90-130 mg/dL while fasting, whereas post meals, it needs to be less than 180 mg/DL.

Reasons why blood sugar rises:

• Heavy meals
• Stress
• Underlying illness
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Skipping medication

Further ways to lower blood sugar:

You should have foods you enjoy but keep a check on what goes inside the body because food can help in diabetes care and diabetes management. As well as Extra Virgin Olive Oil certain lifestyle choices that help manage blood glucose levels include;

1. Raw cooked food: Opt for low carb vegetables such as eggplants, tomatoes, sprouts and mushrooms. You can top it with some pepper or garlic seasoning.

• Green leafy food: If you enjoy salads, then you can try a spinach salad. They are rich in health and low in carb. You could top it with some chia seeds for the extra crunch.

• Low calorie drinks: Water is best, but you do need an alternative sometimes. You could try some cinnamon tea. They are low carb and also keep you feeling full.

• Nuts & Seeds: Nuts prevent heart disease and control blood sugar levels. Seeds like flax seeds help improve fasting glucose levels and lower bad cholesterol.

• Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle is the major cause of diabetes. It is essential that you invest in some low duty exercise daily along with your medication.

Individuals who are suffering from diabetes and related issues usually show drastic improvement in their development when they self-participate in diabetes management. It is recommended to track your blood glucose levels regularly using a glucometer as to a keep track of your blood glucose level patterns.

In the next of our series of articles that looks at the science behind the health-related benefits of high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil like Morocco Gold we look at the positive impact on blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Source: Beatoapp.com

One Of The Many Amazing Health Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

^{Updated November 23rd 2022}

Summary

• Digestive disorders are widespread and can be brought on with little or no warning.
• The cost of digestive disorders in the USA can range from $18k to $150k per year.
• Extra virgin olive oil has been used to treat digestive disorders for centuries. Its beneficial properties are now being confirmed by epidemiological studies and a wealth of scientific data.
• Extra virgin olive oil has beneficial effects on: the stomach; the hepatic-biliary system; the pancreas; the intestines.
• The polyphenols in Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil provide the health benefits within the digestive system, in particular – Hydroxytyrosol and Tyrosol.
• People with digestive disease often suffer in silence because of the stigma associated with digestive symptoms. Many won’t even discuss gut trouble with their doctors. When they finally do, it’s because the pain, blood, fatigue or constant bowel disruptions have become unbearable. Severe symptoms result in missed work-days, ER visits, emergency surgeries, and finally long-term prescriptions.

Contents

1. Rising Cost of Digestive Diseases
2. Understanding Digestive Disorders
3. How Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Digestion
4. Extra virgin olive oil & the stomach
5. Extra virgin olive oil & the hepatic-biliary system
6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil & The Pancreas
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil & The Intestines
8. How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Boost Beneficial Gut Bacteria
9. The Polyphenols Present In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10. Which Polyphenols Protect The Digestive System?
11. Health Benefits Of Hydroxytyrosol In Extra Virgin Olive Oil
12. Polyphenol Tyrosol : A Key Polyphenol In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Rising Cost of Digestive Diseases

1 in 3 Americans struggle with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and other digestive conditions daily. Healthcare spending on a single patient with a digestive disease can range from $18k to $150k per year. Of this, specialty medications can cost up to $70k per person per year.

When we look at the high cost of specialty drugs used to treat advanced digestive disorders, it’s easy to see how stigma and suffering in silence can eventually lead to a very expensive problem, for both individuals and health services.

Understanding Digestive Disorders

Digestive conditions can be brought on by stress, diet, and medications with little or no warning. Episodic flares lead to ER admissions and hospitalizations with very costly treatments. For people with digestive disease, following medication regimens can be very challenging, especially if they have other medical conditions to deal with. This can often result in poor outcomes which, you guessed it, means even greater healthcare costs.

The digestive system provides fuel for the entire human body. It essentially supports all of the body’s other systems. When the digestive system is out of balance with an abnormal ratio of good to bad microbes, some really unpleasant digestive conditions can creep up, causing chronic inflammation and a host of unpleasant symptoms. Diarrhea, constipation, and pain are only part of it. Extreme fatigue, nausea, eye and mouth sores, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are all closely linked to digestive health.

Add to that poor diets, allergies and busy lifestyles, and gut trouble is becoming a very big and very expensive problem.

How Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Digestion

We all have likely heard that extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest oil choices for cooking and eating. Extra virgin olive oil is high in fat, but the majority of it is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, according to the American Heart Association. Choosing extra virgin olive oil over less healthy fats, such as butter, may benefit your heart and lower your cholesterol level. As if these benefits were not enough, extra virgin olive oil may also contribute to healthy digestive system.

As soon as we consume extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold it has a number of effects all the way along the digestive system. As far back as in ancient times it was recommended for assorted digestive disorders, and its beneficial properties are now being corroborated by epidemiological studies and a wealth of scientific data.

Once you swallow your food, your body takes over by secreting acids and other compounds that help break down the food and transports the nutrients it contains throughout your body. According to M. Carmen Ramirez-Tortosa and Parveen Yaqoob, authors of “Olive Oil and Health,” extra virgin olive oil encourages the production of peptides, which support healthy digestion and aid in nutrient absorption. Regular consumption of olive oil will keep your gut working efficiently by taking what it needs for good health and eliminating the rest in your waste.

Extra virgin olive oil & the stomach

Eating quickly, as well as eating high-fat foods, can cause gastric reflux, or heartburn. Heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation in your stomach, throat or esophagus due to a high concentration of acid from your body attempting to digest these unhealthy types of food. A study published in the 2004 issue of “Gracas y Aceites,” a journal that focuses on the roles of fat and oils in the human diet, notes in that extra virgin olive oil may reduce the secretion of gastric acid.

Extra virgin olive oil reduces the risk of acid reflex and prevents gastric juices from traveling back up from the stomach to the esophagus. Extra virgin olive oil inhibits gastric acid’s motility. Because of this, the stomach’s gastric content releases more gradually and slowly into the duodenum, making one feel more full, having a better digestion, and benefiting full nutrient absorption in the intestine.

Extra virgin olive oil & the hepatic-biliary system

One of the effects of extra virgin olive oil on the hepato-biliary system or a healthy digestive system is that it is a cholagogue, ensuring optimal bile drainage and full emptying of the gall bladder. Another effect is that it is cholecystokinetic, i.e. it stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder, which is extremely helpful in the treatment and prevention of disorders of the bile ducts. It stimulates the synthesis of bile salts in the liver and it increases the amount of cholesterol excreted by the liver.

In short, owing to its beneficial effect on the muscle tone and activity of the gall bladder, extra virgin olive oil stimulates the digestion of lipids, because they are emulsified by the bile, and it prevents the onset of gallstones. This points to a healthy digestive system.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil & The Pancreas

Your pancreas is often an overlooked part of the digestive system, but it is essential for hormone production and for producing enzymes the small intestine needs to digest your food. Extra virgin olive oil is particularly beneficial to your pancreas because it only requires your pancreas to produce a small amount of digestive enzymes, which means that it is working less, reports the before mentioned study in “Gracas y Aceites.” This benefits your pancreas by keeping it strong and healthy. The June 2000 issue of the “Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health” adds that extra virgin olive oil may also offer protection from pancreatic cancer.

When extra virgin olive oil is consumed, the pancreas releases a small amount of secretion, helping the organ efficiently and effectively carry out its purpose within the digestive system. Researchers recommend extra virgin olive oil to patients who have pancreatic problems, including cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic failure and malabsorption syndromes among others.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil & The Intestines

Your large and small intestines are essential for digesting your food and getting the nutrients throughout your body. Eating extra virgin olive oil in place of less healthy oils can improve the efficiency of your intestines. Olive oil also encourages your intestines to absorb more of the vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, which makes it beneficial for individuals suffering from digestive disorders, reports the 2004 study in “Gracas y Aceites.”

New research is also showing that polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil may help balance the bacteria in our digestive tract; slowing the growth of unwanted bacteria. On this list of polyphenols are: oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and ligstroside. Some of these polyphenols are specifically able to inhibit the growth of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium; the bacterium that leads to stomach ulcers and other unwanted digestive problems. Yet another category of polyphenols called secoiridoids, continues to be a focus in research on prevention of digestive tract cancers.

How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Boost Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Taking care of the microbes in our guts is one of the best ways to keep our digestive system working well and protect our immune system.  That means packing as many fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and Mediterranean staples like extra virgin olive oil into our cooking as we can.

Recent studies have shown that people who ate diets rich in plant-based foods and fish – akin to the famous Mediterranean diet – had higher collections of inflammation fighting bacteria in their guts.

But perhaps you need some new inspiration to bring those bacteria busting plant-based foods to life?  Well, we at Morocco Gold are very happy to oblige with a selection of our favourite Microbiome friendly recipes.

And, don’t forget, our new harvest of extra virgin olive oil is now available to purchase – meaning you can treat your meals to the freshest flavour direct from our olive groves in the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

The Polyphenols Present In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There are more than 30 phenolic compounds that have been identified in extra virgin olive oil, but not all of them are present in every oil. The large variety of polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil is different in chemical structures and concentrations depending on several factors including: olive variety, region in which the olive is grown, agricultural techniques, maturity of the olive fruit at harvest, and processing. Indeed, different varieties, cultivated in the same environment and processed at a fixed ripening stage, produce extra virgin olive oil with different total polyphenol profiles.

We are delighted to say that this year’s harvest has produced a low acidity level of 0.2% together with the highest level of polyphenols yet seen in our extra virgin olive oil.

Which Polyphenols Protect The Digestive System?

Polyphenol Hydroxytyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol is a powerful polyphenol which occurs naturally in the olive fruit, pulp, leaves and mill waste waters. Chemically, hydroxytyrosol is described as 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-benzendiol, with the chemical formula C₈H₁₀O₃.² 

Hydroxytyrosol is a well-known minor component found in extra virgin olive oil, which is derived from hydrolysis of the polyphenol oleuropein during olive maturation and olive oil storage. The compound plays an important role in the complex and varied flavour of olives and olive oil.

It is also a vital component which largely adds to the stability and longevity of extra virgin olive oil. 

Hydroxytyrosol is hydrophilic, and absorbed in a dose-dependent manner in humans, with absorption occurring in the small intestine and colon. Uniquely, hydroxytyrosol is the only polyphenol which is able to cross the blood brain barrier, which allows it to have a significant action to scavenge free radicals in the nervous system.

Health Benefits Of Hydroxytyrosol In Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Antimicrobial Activity 

In vitro experiments have shown that hydroxytyrosol in extra virgin olive oil has antimicrobial properties against infectious respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens.It is also known that hydroxytyrosol in extra virgin olive oil has activity against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. In general, polyphenols have been reported to have wide antimicrobial activity, such as antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects.

Polyphenol Tyrosol : A Key Polyphenol In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Tyrosol is a phenylethanoid, a derivative of phenethyl alcohol. It is a natural phenolic antioxidant present in a variety of natural sources. The principal source for human diet is in high quality extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold. As an antioxidant, tyrosol can protect cells against injury due to oxidation.

Along with hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol is one of the most abundant polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil, where they occur as such, or in the form of esters of elenolic acid. There is an increasing level of research into these polyphenols and their properties to determine which is the most significant contributor towards the range of health benefits associated with high quality extra virgin olive oil.

Tyrosol is a colourless solid at room temperature, melting at 91–92°C and slightly soluble in water. Hydroxytyrosol on the other hand appears as a clear colourless liquid at room temperature. It is now believed that this affects the rate of ‘uptake’ when ingested with hydoxytyrosol acting more quickly in the gut, however tyrosol accumululating intercellularly over time to provide longer term protection due to its higher concentration and good bioavailability.

Embrace Mediterranean Diet To Reduce Inflammation Say Dieticians

^{Updated November 23rd 2022}

Summary

• Inflammation is a natural response to potential dangers and damage to organs in our body, however it can become self-perpetuating leading to long-term problems
• Poor diet can contribute to long-term chronic inflammatory diseases
• Embracing the principles of the Mediterranean Diet, including plenty of nuts and extra virgin olive oil is one of the top eight eating habits to reduce inflammation
• Adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet has been shown to reduce inflammation in a number of studies
• Polyphenols serve as the core substances that give Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil its unique anti-inflammatory properties
• An average daily Extra Virgin Olive Oil amount of 2 tablespoons per day is enough to provide strong anti-inflammatory benefits
• Polyphenol Oleuropein Aglycone (OA) plays a key anti-inflammatory role during chronic inflammation and improves tissue damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis
• Polyphenol Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen, one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs most widely consumed.

Contents

1. Why A Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan Can Boost Wellness
2. How To Reduce Inflammation With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3. Acute And Chronic Inflammation : What’s The Difference?
4. The Cost Of Inflammatory Diseases
5. Types Of Inflammation
6. Foods That Cause Inflammation
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Part Of An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
8. Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
9. Polyphenols In Our New Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
10. The Anti-inflammatory Effect Of Polyphenol Oleuropein Aglycone (OA)
11. Anti-inflammatory Polyphenol p-HPEA-EDA (Oleocanthal)

Why A Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan Can Boost Wellness

If you’re looking for a diet that can help reduce inflammation and promote wellness, the Mediterranean diet may be for you. This way of eating has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. Plus, it’s delicious! Read on to learn more about the Mediterranean diet and how it can benefit your health.

Embracing the principles of the Mediterranean Diet, including plenty of nuts and extra virgin olive oil is one of the top eight eating habits to reduce inflammation, say a group of dieticians this month.

According to the report in Eat This, Not That, the nuts and extra virgin olive oil in a Mediterranean Diet are loaded with anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats. The high number of vegetables and fruits in the Mediterranean dietary pattern also have lots of antioxidant compounds. 

Referring to research which explored dietary interventions for treatment of chronic pain, the report showed that the Mediterranean Diet lowered inflammatory market.

The seven other key eating recommendations made were:

• Eat more fruits and veggies
• Drink green tea regularly
• Eat walnuts
• Eat some dark chocolate after a workout
• Drink coffee
• Eat turmeric or consider a turmeric supplement
• Start your day with some OJ

How To Reduce Inflammation With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

While there are many pharmaceutical options available to help reduce inflammation, there are also dietary choices that can make a difference. If you’re concerned about inflammation, you might want to consider adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet. This healthy fat has been shown to reduce inflammation in a number of studies. Plus, it’s delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes. Here’s what you need to know about using extra virgin olive oil to reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is a natural response to potential dangers and damage to organs in our body, however it can become self-perpetuating leading to long-term problems. There are 2 types of inflammatory diseases, acute and chronic. Poor diet can contribute to long-term chronic inflammatory diseases.

A healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, including extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold can help combat inflammatory diseases. The polyphenols Oleouropein Aglycone and Oleocanthal within extra virgin olive oil help to combat inflammatory diseases Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is rich in both of these polyphenols.

Inflammation is a critical response to potential danger signals and damage in organs in our body. In diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and others, the immune system turns against the bodies’ organs. These painful and, in some cases, progressively debilitating conditions can take a toll on people’s quality of life and create both societal and economic burdens.

Acute And Chronic Inflammation : What’s The Difference?

The inflammatory process in the body serves an important function in the control and repair of injury. Commonly referred to as the inflammatory cascade, or simply inflammation, it can take two basic forms, acute and chronic. Acute inflammation, part of the immune response, is the body’s immediate response to injury or assault due to physical trauma, infection, stress, or a combination of all three. Acute inflammation helps to prevent further injury and facilitates the healing and recovery process.

When inflammation becomes self-perpetuating however, it can result in chronic or long-term inflammation. This is known as chronic inflammation, and lasts beyond the actual injury, sometimes for months or even years. It can become a problem itself and require medical intervention to control or stop further inflammation-mediated damage.

Chronic inflammation can affect any and all parts of the body. Inflammation can also be a secondary component of many diseases. For example, in atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries where, chronic inflammation of blood vessel walls can result in plaque build-up in the arteries, arterial or vascular blockages, and heart disease. Chronic inflammation also plays a significant role in other diseases and conditions including chronic pain, poor sleep quality, obesity, physical impairment, and overall decreased quality of life.

The Cost Of Inflammatory Diseases

While it is difficult to measure the precise economic impact of chronic inflammation since this impact spans While there are many pharmaceutical options available to help reduce inflammation, there are also dietary choices that can make a difference. If you’re concerned about inflammation, you might want to consider adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet. This healthy fat has been shown to reduce inflammation in a number of studies. Plus, it’s delicious and can be used in a variety of recipes. Here’s what you need to know about using extra virgin olive oil to reduce inflammation.into almost all areas of chronic disease, as an example, in Europe the direct healthcare cost incurred by patients affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), have been estimated to be €4.6–5.6 billion per year.

In 2010, the cost of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the U.S. was projected to be approximately $50 billion, which includes $30 billion in direct health care expenditures and $20 billion in indirect costs.

Economic burden to the U.K. NHS due to COPD was estimated at £982 million pounds in direct and indirect costs combined.14 The annual cost of treating COPD in Europe is estimated to be €38.6 billion.

Source: Pzer.com

Types Of Inflammation

Inflammation is a process that protects the body from infection and foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. Inflammation helps the body by producing white blood cells and other substances. Sometimes, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response inappropriately. This is the case with autoimmune diseases. The body compensates by attacking its own healthy tissues, acting as if they are infected or abnormal.   

When the inflammation process starts, chemicals in the white blood cells are released into the blood and the affected tissues to protect the body. The chemicals increase blood flow to the infected or injured body areas, causing redness and warmth in those locations. These chemicals may also cause leaking of fluids into tissues, resulting in swelling. This protective process will also stimulate nerves and tissues, causing pain. 

Inflammation is classified as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is short-term, while chronic inflammation is long-lasting and even destructive.

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation may include heat of a fever or warmth in the affected area. Acute inflammation is a healthy and necessary function that helps the body to attack bacteria and other foreign substances anywhere in the body. Once the body has healed, inflammation subsides. 

Examples of conditions that cause acute inflammation include:

• Acute bronchitis, which causes inflammation of the airways that carry air to the lungs.
• An infected ingrown toenail.
• A sore throat related to the flu.
• Skin cuts and scratches.
• Dermatitis, which describes multiple skin conditions including eczema, which causes red, itchy inflamed rashes in areas where the skin flexes (such as inside the elbows and behind the knees).
• Sinusitis, which can cause short-term inflammation in the membranes of the nose and surrounding sinuses (usually the result of a viral infection)
• physical trauma.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, may continue to attack healthy areas if it doesn’t turn off. It can occur anywhere in the body and may trigger any number of chronic diseases, depending on the area of the body affected. 

Examples of conditions that cause chronic inflammation include:

• Inflammatory arthritis, which covers a group of conditions distinguished by inflammation of joints and tissues (including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis).
• Asthma, which causes inflammation of the air passages that carry oxygen to the lungs. Inflammation causes these airways to become narrow and breathing to become difficult. 
• Periodontitis, which causes inflammation of gums and other supporting teeth structures. It is caused by bacteria triggered by local inflammation.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD refers to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both these conditions cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that eventually causes damage to the GI tract. 

5 Cardinal Signs of Inflammation : Pain, Heat, Redness, Swelling, and Loss of Function

Interestingly, inflammation is a biological process that your body uses to help protect you. It is important to note, however, that not all five cardinal signs are present in every instance of inflammation. Moreover, the inflammatory process could be silent and not cause noticeable symptoms.

A cardinal sign is a major symptom that doctors utilize to make a diagnosis. In the case of inflammation, there are five cardinal signs that characterize the condition: pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.

Doctors and researchers sometimes refer to the five cardinal signs of inflammation by their Latin names:

1. Dolor (pain).
2. Calor (heat).
3. Rubor (redness).
4. Tumor (swelling).
5. Functio laesa (loss of function).

Pain

Inflammation can cause pain in joints and muscles. When inflammation is chronic, a person will experience high levels of pain sensitivity and stiffness. The inflamed areas may be sensitive to touch. 

With both acute and chronic inflammation, pain is the result of inflammatory chemicals that stimulate nerve endings, causing the affected areas to feel more sensitive.

Heat

When inflamed areas of the body feel warm, it is because there is more blood flow in those areas. People with arthritic conditions may have inflamed joints that feel warm to the touch. The skin around those joints, however, may not have the same warmth. Whole-body inflammation may cause fevers as a result of the inflammatory response when someone has an illness or infection.  

Redness 

Inflamed areas of the body may appear red in color. This is because blood vessels of inflamed areas are filled with more blood than usual.

Swelling 

Swelling is common when a part of the body is inflamed. It is the result of fluid accumulating in tissues either throughout the body or in the specific affected area. Swelling can occur without inflammation, especially with injuries. 

Loss of Function     

Inflammation may cause loss of function, related to both injury and illness. For example, an inflamed joint cannot be moved properly, or it can make it difficult to breathe due to a respiratory infection. 

Additional Signs and Complications

When inflammation is severe, it may cause additional signs and symptoms. This may include a general feeling of sickness and exhaustion. Inflammation due to illness may have dangerous complications, including a condition called sepsis. Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system overwhelmingly responds to a serious infection, which leads to generalized, life-threatening tissue damage.

Inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process and usually nothing to worry about. But when inflammation is chronic, it can be a serious health problem. Anyone experiencing ongoing inflammation should talk to their doctor about determining the source of inflammation and getting appropriate treatment to avoid any serious complications.

It surely is a time to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil.

Source: verywellhealth.com

Foods That Cause Inflammation

Foods that have been identified as causing inflammation and should be limited as much as possible include:

• Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
• French fries and other fried foods
• Soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
• Red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
• Margarine, shortening, and lard

Not surprisingly, the same foods on an inflammation diet are generally considered bad for our health, including sodas and refined carbohydrates, as well as red meat and processed meats.

“Some of the foods that have been associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with excess inflammation,” says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. . “It’s not surprising, since inflammation is an important underlying mechanism for the development of these diseases.”

Unhealthy foods also contribute to weight gain, which is itself a risk factor for inflammation. Yet in several studies, even after researchers took obesity into account, the link between foods and inflammation remained, which suggests weight gain isn’t the sole driver.

“Some of the food components or ingredients may have independent effects on inflammation over and above increased caloric intake,”

Dr Hu

Source: Harvard.edu

A Healthy Diet Helps Combat Inflammation 

One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store.

“Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects,”

Dr Hu

Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness and reduce inflammation. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.

Studies confirm that eating foods commonly part of the Mediterranean diet can do the following:

•    Lower blood pressure
•    Protect against chronic conditions, ranging from cancer to stroke
•    Help arthritis by curbing inflammation
•    Benefit your joints as well as your heart
•    Lead to weight loss, which can lessen joint pain

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Part Of An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you’re looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil.

In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health. “A healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life,” Dr. Hu says.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Phenols and polyphenols serve as the core substances that give Extra Virgin Olive Oil its unique anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have determined that small amounts of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as low as one tablespoon per day, can lower inflammatory signalling in our body, including levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

Interestingly, in Mediterranean-type diets that include daily intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, not only is there less production of signalling molecules like TNF-alpha, but there is also less activity by the cell receptors for these pro-inflammatory molecules. (This decreased receptor activity has been shown for tumour necrosis factor receptor 60 (TNFR 60) and tumour necrosis factor receptor 80 (TNFR 80). Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have also been show to decrease with daily intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

In addition, scientists have shown that individuals who regularly consume Olive Oil have reduced activity of their pro-inflammatory cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzymes, as well as reduced levels of related molecules including thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4. Two molecules that are known to increase during inflammatory disease processes, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), have also been shown to decrease in amount following intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

In this anti-inflammatory context, it is also worth noting that oxidative stress, a process that often parallels the process of chronic inflammation, is reduced by regular consumption of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. One common blood marker used to monitor oxidative stress is the formation of substances called F2-isoprostanes, and studies have shown 10-15% lower levels of this blood marker following Extra Virgin Olive Oil intake.

Importantly, the anti-inflammatory benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil do not depend on large levels of intake. In most studies, these benefits become statistically significant with as little as one tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil per day.

The anti-inflammatory benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil also appear to increase with daily intake above this level. An average daily Extra Virgin Olive Oil amount of 2 tablespoons per day is enough to provide strong anti-inflammatory benefits.

Polyphenols In Our New Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There is now extensive research into the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and its cornerstone component, extra-virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil contains many phenolic compounds that have been found to be effective against a range of aging and lifestyle-related diseases, including inflammation.

This year’s harvest has produced a low acidity level of 0.2% together with the highest level of polyphenols yet seen in our extra virgin olive oil.

So which polyphenols in our extra virgin olive oil act as an anti-inflammatory?

The Anti-inflammatory Effect Of  Polyphenol Oleuropein Aglycone (OA)

Oleuropein aglycone is a glycosylated seco-iridoid, a type of bitter phenolic compound found in green olive skin, flesh, seeds, and leaves. The term oleuropein is derived from the botanical name of the olive tree, Olea Europaea. The chemical formula is :C₂₅H₃₂O_13.

Oleuropein aglycone is one of the chief polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil. It is getting more and more global attention within the scientific and medical communities due to its biological properties including in anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-breast cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic effect, and anti-oxidative properties.

OA is derived from the de-glycosylation of oleuropein that exists in the leaves and stones of the olive fruit during the maturation period and is obtained during the pressing of the olives.

Inflammation is a complex immune response to pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, and enables during infection or injury. Pain from inflammation is something most people experience at some point in their lives and a common daily occurrence for many people with arthritis. OA plays an anti-inflammatory role during chronic inflammation and improves tissue damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis.

In addition, OA may be responsible for inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. COX is an enzyme that forms prostanoids, prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and thromboxanes, which are all contributors to the inflammatory response. Therefore, OA can play an effective role in anti-inflammatory activities.

Source: Frontiers In Chemistry

Anti-inflammatory Polyphenol p-HPEA-EDA (Oleocanthal)

p-HPEA-EDA, otherwise known as Oleocanthal, belongs to the Tyrosol family of polyphenols. It is the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethyl ligstroside aglycone. It is synonymous with p-HPEA-Elenolic acid Di-Aldehyde and Ligstroside-aglycone di-aldehyde. Its chemical formula is  C₁₇H₂₀O₅.

The Oleocanthal molecule is responsible for the peppery / stinging sensation at the back of your throat when you ingest certain extra virgin olive oils. In fact, this is how the molecule got its name, ’oleo’ means oil and ‘canth’ is Greek for stinging or prickly.

The importance and uniqueness of Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil is that it has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory action on the body is very similar to ibuprofen, one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs most widely consumed.

Keeping Your Bones Healthy Bones With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

^{Updated November 23rd 2022}

Summary

• Osteoporosis is extremely common, particularly in age groups over 50.
• It is one of the most common health problems in the United States, affecting more than 44 million Americans and contributes to an estimated 2 million fractures each year
• There is growing evidence that extra virgin olive oil can help to protect your bones.
• People who consume the Mediterranean Diet and, in particular olive oil, have denser bones and are less likely to experience bone fractures than those who don’t consume it
• The key polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil that have been shown to reduce risk of bone fracture are Tyroso and Hydroxytyrosol. Both are present in Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil
• Anyone experiencing or at risk of the effects of osteoporosis should talk to their doctor to determine the appropriate course of treatment

Contents

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps With Bone Strength
2. What is Osteoporosis And How Can Olive Oil Help?
3. How Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Keep Bones Healthy
4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Bone Fractures: A Study

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps With Bone Strength

As we get older, it’s increasingly important to look after our bone health and there’s growing evidence that extra virgin olive oil can protect your bones.

A study published in the journal “PLoS One” found that people who consume The Mediterranean Diet and, in particular olive oil, have denser bones and are less likely to experience bone fractures than those who don’t consume it. Researchers believe that this is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of olive oil, which help keep bones healthy. So if you’re looking for a way to protect your bones, consider adding olive oil to your diet.

The study found:

Overall, our data suggest a protective impact of virgin olive oil as a source of polyphenols in addition to vitamin D3 on bone metabolism through improvement of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Phenolic Compounds In Olive Oil Can Help Keep Bones Healthy

Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, which are essential for bone health. Adding olive oil to your diet can help keep your bones strong and healthy throughout your life. So next time you’re cooking up a storm with some of our recipe inspiration, don’t forget the olive oil!

What is Osteoporosis And How Can Olive Oil Help?

Osteoporosis is extremely common, particularly in age groups over 50. There are a number of contributing factors to osteoporosis including ageing, heredity factors, also nutrition and lifestyle. So, how can The Mediterranean Diet, rich in the best extra virgin olive oil help boost your nutritional health?

One of the most common health problems in the United States, osteoporosis affects more than 44 million Americans and contributes to an estimated 2 million fractures each year. Fifty percent of women and 25% of men over the age of 50 will sustain fractures thanks to osteoporosis. Many fractures happen as a result of a fall, but even simple household tasks can cause severely osteoporotic bones to fracture.

Skeletal mass and microarchitecture degenerate with aging, thus predisposing the elderly to skeletal fragility and fractures. The global estimate of osteoporotic hip fracture incidence in 2000 was nine million and resulted in more disability adjusted life years lost compared to common cancers excluding lung cancers. The prevalence of osteoporosis is predicted to rise exponentially with the accelerated expansion of elderly population, especially in developing countries. The tremendous economic and healthcare burdens caused by osteoporotic fractures deserve much attention from the medical and scientific community.

Lost bone cannot be replaced, so current treatments focus on preventing the condition from worsening. But did you know that inclusion of a quality extra virgin olive oil in your diet could help to guard against Osteoporosis? According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, the food that you eat can affect your bones. It reminds us that:

Learning about the foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients that are important for your bone health and overall health with help you make healthier food choices every day. If you eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables, you should get enough of the nutrients you need every day, but if you’re not getting the recommended amount from food alone, you may need to complement your diet by taking multivitamins or supplements.

Studies have shown that a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet, with extra virgin olive oil as a key constituent leads to decreased fracture incidence.

The key polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil that have been shown to reduce risk of bone fracture are Tyroso and Hydroxytyrosol.

Both are present in Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil.

How Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Keep Bones Healthy

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil at its heart was associated with decreased fracture incidence in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study involving 188,795 subjects followed for nine years. The Mediterranean diet including extra virgin olive oil was also associated with increased calcium absorption and retention and a decrease in urinary calcium excretion in male adolescents.

Olives and extra virgin olive oil are important components in the Mediterranean diet. A Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil has been associated with increased levels of bone formation markers than non-enriched diet in elderly men. 

Mice fed with olive oil also had higher apparent calcium absorption and calcium balance, but a lower serum calcium, phosphate and magnesium level compared to groups fed with other lipids. It is thought that this could be attributed to the high phenolic content of extra virgin olive oil. These phenolic compounds, which include tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, exert prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; thus are potential candidate agents for osteoporosis prevention.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Bone Fractures : A Study

One recent study compared the number of bone fractures in a group of 870 study participants over a period of seven years to see if intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil was associated with the number of reported bone fractures. When the study results were analysed, the researchers divided this large group into three categories.

In terms of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil intake, the lowest third of the study participants averaged 38 grams of Extra Virgin Olive Oil per day, approximately 3 tablespoons. The middle third averaged nearly 4 tablespoons (48 grams), and the top third averaged about 4.5 tablespoons (57 grams).

Participants in the highest category of Extra Virgin Olive Oil intake reported 51% fewer fractures than participants in the lowest category of Extra Virgin Olive Oil intake.

While all of these Extra Virgin Olive Oil intake levels are fairly high, they nevertheless show a link between reduced risk of bone fracture and incorporation of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into an ordinary meal plan. It’s also worth noting that numerous animal studies have shown increased bone formation in rats and mice that were given Extra Virgin Olive Oil in their feeding plan. This increased bone formation has also been specifically tied to the presence of two phenols, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Though the exact causes of osteoporosis are unknown, doctors have identified major factors that can lead to the disease.

Aging

Losing bone with age is a natural phenomenon and after the age of 35 the body builds less new bone to replace the loss of old bone. As a general rule, your bone mass goes down as your age goes up, and thus your risk for osteoporosis increases.

Heredity

A family history of the disease, fair skin, and Caucasian or Asian descent can increase the risk for osteoporosis. This fact may help explain why some develop the disease early in life.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

A calcium-deficient diet, excessively low weight, and a sedentary lifestyle have all been linked to osteoporosis, along with smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Medications and Other Illness

Some medications, including steroids, and other diseases like thyroid problems have been linked to osteoporosis.

Treatment

Lost bone cannot be replaced, and as such, treatment focuses on preventing the condition from becoming worse. Treatment plans often involve work from physicians, orthopaedists, a gynecologist, and an endocrinologist. In addition to including regular intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, exercise and nutrition as part of your lifestyle choices, other treatments include:

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

• Often offered to women at high risk for osteoporosis, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) helps prevent bone loss and reduce fracture risk. The hormones also help prevent heart disease and improve cognitive function but can increase the risk for breast cancer.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

• Known as SERMs, these anti-estrogens can increase bone mass, reduce fracture risk, and lower the risk for breast cancer.

Calcitonin

• This medication is available in nasal spray form and helps increase bone mass and relieve pain.

Bisphosphonates

• These significantly increase bone mass and help prevent spine and hip fractures.

Conclusion

Olives, extra virgin olive oil or olive polyphenols have the potential to be developed as bone protective agents. This is supported by evidence derived from preclinical studies using animal models of osteoporosis and a limited number of human studies. The bone protective effects of olive and its products are attributed to their ability to increase bone formation and inhibit bone resorption, by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the exact pathways are still elusive and await future validation. Well-planned randomized controlled trials on olive and its derivatives are warranted to justify its use in osteoporosis prevention.

Anyone experiencing or at risk of the effects of osteoporosis should talk to their doctor to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Source:
Site: https://www.oastaug.com/orthopaedic-specialties/spine-center/osteoporosis/ Osteoporosis among the elderly.26 Jul 2016: Olives and Bone: A Green Osteoporosis Prevention Option

Why A Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Help You Tackle LDL Cholesterol

^{Updated December 16th 2022}

Summary

• High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood.
• There are two types of molecules called lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
• LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol, since having high levels of LDL can bring about plaque build-up in the arteries, which can result in heart disease and stroke.
• HDL is known as “good” cholesterol; HDL (good) absorbs cholesterol and carries it to the liver where it is flushed from the body.
• Two landmark clinical trials, one employing a cholesterol-lowering statin drug and reported a 30% mortality reduction, the second utilizing the Mediterranean diet and reported a 70% mortality reduction.
• In clinical studies, improved HDL (good) function was more pronounced for participants taking a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil.

Contents

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil And LDL Cholesterol
2. Olive Oil: Why Choose It Over Other Saturated Fats?
3. What is High Cholesterol?
4. Can The Mediterranean Diet Help Reduce LDL Cholesterol?
5. The Health Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil : A Further Study

Extra Virgin Olive Oil And LDL Cholesterol

Olive oil can help reduce cholesterol. If you are looking to decrease levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in your arteries and arm yourself against heart disease, including a quality olive oil in your diet is a great place to start.  By substituting saturated fats for healthier unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (both present in extra virgin olive oil) you are contributing to a reduced risk of the health complications caused by high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Olive Oil: Why Choose It Over Other Saturated Fats?

By making a change from saturated fats, such as butter, lard or animal fats to extra virgin olive oil, which contains much higher levels of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, you are helping to reduce the risk of high cholesterol affecting the function of your heart and arteries.

What is High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families. You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine. Too much cholesterol can block your blood vessels. It makes you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke. High cholesterol does not cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.

Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called “lipoproteins.” Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body:

LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol,makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol,absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Can The Mediterranean Diet Help Reduce LDL Cholesterol?

Nearly twenty years ago two landmark randomized clinical trials appeared in The Lancet which forever changed the course of medicine for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The 4S study employed a cholesterol-lowering statin drug and reported a 30% mortality reduction. The Lyon Diet Heart Study utilized the Mediterranean diet and reported a 70% mortality reduction.

Subsequent studies of the Mediterranean diet have confirmed these findings and have also shown a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Subsequent statin studies have led the United States Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings regarding the increased risk of diabetes and decreased cognition with statin drugs. Paradoxically, statins have gone on to become a multi-billion dollar industry and the foundation of many cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines while the Mediterranean diet has often been ignored.

The authors of the study, Robert DuBroff and Michel de Lorgeril concluded “we believe this statin-centric cholesterol-lowering approach to preventing CHD may be misguided”. They further found.

The dramatic benefits of the Mediterranean diet are likely due to multiple mechanisms which do not directly involve cholesterol. Independent of cholesterol metabolism are the true fatal complications of coronary atherosclerosis – thrombotic coronary occlusion, acute myocardial ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction, and malignant arrhythmias.

The hemostatic system appears to be a principal modulator of atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression and the Mediterranean diet can favourably alter elements of the coagulation cascade. Plaque rupture and intra-plaque haemorrhage leads to progressive atherosclerosis, thrombosis causes acute coronary syndromes, and sudden cardiac death is the main cause of cardiac mortality.

At the genetic level large scale, genome-wide association studies have identified 46 loci directly linked to CHD, yet a majority of these loci have no apparent relation to cholesterol or traditional risk factors. Although we can’t change our genes, epigenetic studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can favourably alter the expression of atherogenic genes, whereas a recent cholesterol-lowering statin trial failed to demonstrate a similar effect.

Source: WJC

The Health Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil : A Further Study

Montserrat Fitó, Ph.D., is the senior author of research by the Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Fitó and team’s findings were published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.

There are two types of molecules called lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol, since having high levels of LDL can bring about plaque build-up in the arteries, which can result in heart disease and stroke. HDL is known as “good” cholesterol; HDL (good) absorbs cholesterol and carries it to the liver where it is flushed from the body. Having high levels of HDL (good) reduces heart disease and stroke.

The research team aimed to determine whether eating a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil or nuts over a long period of time would improve the beneficial properties of HDL (good) cholesterol in humans.

Fitó and collaborators randomly selected a total of 296 individuals who had a high risk of heart disease and were participating in the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea study. The participants had an average age of 66 and were assigned to one of three diets for a year.

The first diet was a traditional Mediterranean diet enriched with around 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day. The second, a traditional Mediterranean diet supplemented with a fistful of nuts each day. The third diet was a healthful “control” diet that contained a reduced amount of red meat, high-fat dairy products, processed foods, and sweets.

Both Mediterranean diets emphasized the inclusion of fruit, vegetables, legumes (such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, and whole grains), and moderate amounts of fish and poultry.

Blood tests were conducted at the start and end of the study to measure LDL (bad) and HDL (good) levels.

Extra Virgin olive oil-enriched Mediterranean diet enhanced HDL function

The researchers found that total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were only reduced in the healthful control diet. While none of the three diets significantly increased HDL (good) levels, the two Mediterranean diets improved HDL (good) function, and the improvement was more pronounced in the group enriched with extra virgin olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil improved HDL (good) functions, such as reversing cholesterol transport, providing antioxidant protection, and enabling vasodilation.

Reverse cholesterol transport is the process in which HDL (good) removes it from plaque in the arteries and takes it to the liver. Antioxidant protection is the ability of HDL (good) to counteract the oxidation of LDL (bad). Oxidation of LDL (bad) triggers the development of plaque in the arteries.

Lastly, vasodilator capacity, which relaxes the blood vessels, keeps them open, and keeps the blood flowing, is improved by the Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil.

Although the control diet was rich in fruits and vegetables like the two Mediterranean diets, the diet was shown to have an adverse impact on HDL’s (good)  anti-inflammatory properties. This negative impact was not observed in the Mediterranean diets. A reduction in HDL’s (good) anti-inflammatory capacity is linked with a greater risk of heart disease.

“Following a Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil could protect our cardiovascular health in several ways, including making our ‘good cholesterol’ work in a more complete way.”

Montserrat Fitó

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315818.php?bl

Note : Readers with concerns over Cholesterol levels should consult their doctor

A Further Health Benefit Of Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil

^{Updated 23rd November 2022}

Summary

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.
• OA occurs more frequently as we age commonly affecting the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees.
• Recently, data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) have demonstrated that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated not only with better quality of life but also, significantly, with a lower prevalence of OA.
• Polyphenol Ligstroside-Aglycone (LA) has been shown to have beneficial effects in combating Osteoarthritis

Contents

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Osteoarthritis
2. What Is Osteoarthritis?
3. What Causes Primary Osteoarthritis?
4. Secondary Osteoarthitis
5. How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Combat Osteoarthritis
6. Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols
7. Polyphenol : Ligstroside-Aglycone (LA) : It’s Role In Combating Osteoarthritis
8. A Study Of Ligstroside-Aglycone In Treatment Of Osteoarthritis
9. The Mediterranean Diet & Psoriatic Arthritis

Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Osteoarthritis

Before understanding how extra virgin olive oil can help combat Osteoarthritis it is helpful to find out more about it, its symptoms and causes. With more insight it is much easier to see the benefits of how using extra virgin olive oil in your diet can combat Osteoarthritis.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a “cushion” between the bones of the joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease.

OA occurs more frequently as we age. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males. After 55 years of age, it occurs more frequently in females. In the United States, all races appear equally affected. Hand osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, and knee osteoarthritis are much more common in seniors than younger people. A higher incidence of osteoarthritis exists in the Japanese population, while South-African blacks, East Indians, and Southern Chinese have lower rates.

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Osteoarthritis usually has no known cause and is referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary OA.

What Causes Primary Osteoarthritis?

As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage. In most cases, your body repairs the damage itself and you do not experience any symptoms. But in osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Bony growths can develop, and the area can become red and swollen.

The exact cause is not known, but several things are thought to increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

Natural Ageing

Your risk of developing the condition increases as you get older. Primary (idiopathic) osteoarthritis, OA not resulting from injury or disease, is partly a result of natural ageing of the joint. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates as a function of biologic processes. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced osteoarthritis, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints.

Joint Injury

Repetitive use of the worn joints and overusing your joint after an injury or operation when it has not had enough time to heal can mechanically irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling.

Loss Of Cartilage

Loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs, also referred to as osteophytes) to form around the joints.

Family History

Osteoarthritis occasionally can develop in multiple members of the same family, implying a hereditary (genetic) basis for this condition.

Osteoarthritis is therefore felt to be a result of a combination of each of the above factors that ultimately lead to a narrowing of the cartilage in the affected joint.

Secondary Osteoarthitis

Secondary osteoarthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that is caused by another disease or condition. Conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include :

• Obesity : being obese puts excess strain on your joints, particularly those that bear most of your weight, such as your knees and hips. Obesity causes osteoarthritis by increasing the mechanical stress on the joint and therefore on the cartilage. In fact, next to aging, obesity is the most significant risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knees. The early development of osteoarthritis of the knees among weightlifters is believed to be in part due to their high body weight. Repeated trauma to joint tissues (ligaments, bones, and cartilage) is believed to lead to early osteoarthritis of the knees in soccer players and army military personnel. Interestingly, health studies have not found an increased risk of osteoarthritis in long-distance runners.

• Repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures.

• Abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities) : Some people are born with abnormally formed joints (congenital abnormalities) that are vulnerable to mechanical wear, causing early degeneration and loss of joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis of the hip joints is commonly related to structural abnormalities of these joints that had been present since birth.

• Gout : crystal deposits in the cartilage can cause cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis. Uric acid crystals cause arthritis in gout, while calcium pyrophosphate crystals cause arthritis in pseudogout.

• Diabetes, hemochromatosis, and other hormone disorders : hormone disturbances, such as diabetes and growth hormone disorders, are also associated with early cartilage wear and secondary osteoarthritis.

Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness, and problems moving the joint. Some people also have symptoms such as: – swelling – tenderness – grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints.

For some people, the symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Other people can experience more continuous and severe problems which make it difficult to carry out everyday activities.

Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.

You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis so they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe any necessary treatment.

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/

How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Combat Osteoarthritis

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is probably the most extensively researched foodstuff on the planet and the health benefits are evidence based. Thanks to the recent spotlight on the Mediterranean Diet, extensive research has been done on the composition of best olive oil. What has been discovered is an extensive list of phytonutrients; one of the most praised is its polyphenols.

Beneficial effects of natural plant polyphenols on the human body have been evaluated in a number of scientific research projects. Bioactive polyphenols are natural compounds of various chemical structures. Their sources are mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, roots, bark, leaves of different plants, herbs, whole grain products, processed foods (dark chocolate), as well as tea, coffee, and red wine. Polyphenols are believed to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as cancer. Biological activity of polyphenols is strongly related to their antioxidant properties. They tend to reduce the pool of reactive oxygen species as well as to neutralize potentially carcinogenic metabolites. A broad spectrum of health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprises antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. Scientific studies present the ability of polyphenols to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation of white blood cells, and also the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in the immunological defense. The aim of the review is to focus on polyphenols of olive oil in context of their biological activities.

Keywords: olive oil, Olea europea, polyphenols, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, anticancer therapy

Polyphenols have been shown to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the progression of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and cancer diseases. The mechanism of action of polyphenols strongly relates to their antioxidant activity. Polyphenols are known to decrease the level of reactive oxygen species in the human body. In addition, health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols comprise anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-mutagenic effects. There is a body of research demonstrating their ability to modulate the human immune system by affecting the proliferation and activity of white blood cells, as well as the production of cytokines or other factors that participate in immunological defence.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is High In Polyphenols

Our latset harvest has produced a low acidity level of 0.2% together with the highest level of polyphenols yet seen in our extra virgin olive oil.

Polyphenol : Ligstroside-Aglycone (LA) : It’s Role In Combating Osteoarthritis

This polyphenol is synonymous with p-HPEA-Elenolic acid. It is a member of the Tyrosol family of polyphenols and has the chemical formula : C₁₉H₂₂O₇

While information on LA bioactivity is limited, a few years ago, LA was demonstrated to behave as an antioxidant. Furthermore, LA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects by controlling and downregulating NF-κB (NF-kB is a type of DNA that is thought to play a pivotal role in the initiation of osteoarthritis and the perpetuation of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis) as well as the potential to induce a caloric restriction-like state that affects the muscle, brain, fat tissue and kidney, particularly through activation and increased levels of sirtuins. (Sirtuins are a family of proteins that regulate cellular health. They play a key role in regulating cellular homeostasis, keeping cells in balance).

A Study Of Ligstroside-Aglycone In Treatment Of Osteoarthritis

In a recent study at the Faculty Of Pharmacy Seville and the Biomedical Research Institute Coruna (M.S. Meiss, M. Sanchez-Hidalgo, A. González-Benjumea) the effectiveness of LA on osteoarthritis (OA) was examined.

Osteoarthritis is currently, the most frequent cause of pain, deformity and dysfunction in the elderly. It is a late-onset, complex disease of the joint, characterised by progressive failure of the extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM), together with changes in the synovium and subchondral bone.

OA persists as the most common form of arthritis worldwide and the sixth leading cause of disability. Unlike most tissues, articular cartilage does not contain blood vessels, nerves or lymphatics, rather, articular cartilage is composed of a dense ECM with a sparse distribution of highly specialised cells called chondrocytes. Aberrant expression of degradative proteases or catabolic mediators is induced in OA chondrocytes that contributes to cartilage destruction.

To date, there is no definitive cure for this debilitating disease. The mechanism of disease progression in OA remains largely unknown and thus, to date, a more personalised approach is required to aid patient disease management. Current treatments are targeted at reducing symptoms of the inflammatory reaction that occurs following destruction of the essential joint cartilage. These treatments, however, do not prevent the significant pain associated with OA or the often reported restriction of mobility and activity.

To address this unmet need, alternative approaches, including the use of polyphenols as a novel therapeutic intervention are under examination. The objective of this study was to analyse if the polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil are able to reverse the catabolic activity that contribute to cartilage destruction in OA.

Two polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), oleocanthal (OLC) and ligstroside aglycone (LA), plus a chemically modified acetylated ligstroside aglycone (A-LA), and two marine polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were examined as potential anti-inflammatory agents for OA.

The Results

Acetylated ligstroside showed the most promising results for implementation in treating OA as it reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), matrix metalloprotease-13 (MMP13) and interleukin-1β (IL1B) at both RNA and protein levels; decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels from cartilage explants and also reduced proteoglycan (PG) losses in human osteoarthritic cartilage explants and chondrocytes.

These results substantiate the role of polyphenols in OA with implications for therapeutic intervention and our understanding of OA pathophysiology.

Recently, data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) have demonstrated that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated not only with better quality of life but also, significantly, with a lower prevalence of OA. Given that the general population can be viewed as at risk in the development of OA in later life, an approach that relies on dietary modification is attractive in terms of risk / benefit and, potentially, an approach that is more likely to be implementable. Indeed, as an alternative to traditional treatments, alternative modalities have come to the fore including the effects of polyphenols as non-invasive treatments, based on the evidence that epigenetic changes are triggered by dietary nutrients and contribute to the prevention of a number of diseases.

Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2041731420922701

The Mediterranean Diet & Psoriatic Arthritis

Following a Mediterranean Diet can help relieve the symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis, due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the foods it contains.

As reported in Verywellhealth the anti-inflammatory compounds present in fruits, vegetables and extra virgin olive oil – the key elements of The Mediterranean Diet – can reduce the symptoms of this condition which affects 1 in 3 people who have Psoriasis.

The article sets out the top five foods to eat with Psoriatic Arthritis, which are:

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory effects. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can also help with weight loss and weight management, as these foods are relatively low in calories and high in fiber, keeping you full without exceeding your energy needs.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Salmon is a great source of vitamin D and vitamin B12. Both vitamins are important in lowering inflammation and have been used to help treat psoriasis. Vitamin D also has positive effects on autoimmunity, which may help reduce the severity of diseases such as PsA.

Whole Grains

Compared to refined grains such as white bread, rice, and pasta, whole grains contain more antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Types of whole grains include:

• Oats
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Barley
• Farro
• Millet
• Whole grain cereal, pasta, and bread

Antioxidants in whole grains are anti-inflammatory. One study found that compared with a diet rich in refined grains, a diet rich in whole grains reduced body weight and low-grade inflammation, both of which can help manage PsA.

Turmeric

Turmeric root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat the symptoms of joint pain and inflammation in arthritis. The active compound curcumin, present in turmeric, has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Adding turmeric to your diet, like in a latte or curry stir-fry, may reduce inflammation and managing your symptoms of PsA.

Studies have shown that curcumin may help manage the symptoms of many conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Most of the data, however, comes from curcumin supplementation, and consuming high doses is linked to gastrointestinal upset, increased risk of bleeding, and other side effects.

Ginger

Like turmeric, ginger is a root that contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that have been used to treat diseases similar to PsA, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The active components in ginger, including gingerol, shogol, and zingerone, can help ease joint pain, a common symptom of PsA. These compounds have been shown to target some of the same pathways as common arthritis medications.

Why The Mediterranean Diet Helps With Psoriatic Arthritis

As outlined above, the Mediterranean Diet focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and fatty fish—foods that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Several studies have found associations between following a Mediterranean diet and less severe PsA symptoms.