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.
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.
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
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).
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
A Drink Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Daily
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.
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.
Polyphenol content in Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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.
Oleocanthal Is A Phenylethanoid
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.
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.
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.
Olive Oil For Diabetic Patients
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
Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil 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.
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 content in Morocco Gold 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.
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.
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;
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.
Keeping Your Bones Healthy Bones With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Updated March 11th 2025
Olive Oil And Osteoporosis
Summary
Osteoporosis is extremely common, particularly in age groups over 50 and contributes to an estimated 2 million fractures each year
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 Tyrosol 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
When it comes to maintaining strong and healthy bones, your diet plays a significant role. While milk and calcium supplements are widely recognized as essential contributors to bone health, there’s another powerful nutrient that deserves attention on this front: extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Recently, research has uncovered a surprising yet beneficial link between EVOO and bone strength.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps With Bone Strength
Extra virgin olive oil is well-celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties and cardiovascular benefits, but its impact on bone health is now gaining recognition. EVOO is rich in antioxidants, particularly phenolic compounds, which can help combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a condition that may weaken bones over time, making them fragile and prone to fractures.
Additionally, EVOO encourages calcium absorption, a critical nutrient for strong bones. This capability elevates EVOO as a superfood for not just your heart or skin but also the structure supporting your entire body.
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.
Mediterranean Diet With Olive Oil
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 a condition where bones become brittle and fragile due to decreased bone density and quality. It is especially common in older adults, particularly women post-menopause, due to hormonal changes that affect bone health. If not addressed, osteoporosis can lead to fractures even from minor falls or bumps.
But how does Extra Virgin Olive Oil play into this? Studies indicate that people following a Mediterranean-style diet, which is high in olive oil, tend to have better bone density than those who don’t. The oleuropein and other polyphenols in olive oil might help stimulate bone-forming cells while reducing bone degradation over time.
By incorporating EVOO into your diet, you could effectively contribute to your daily bone maintenance and potentially slow down the progression of osteoporosis.
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?
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.
Both are present in Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil.
How Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Keep Bones Healthy
1. It Reduces Oxidative Stress
The antioxidants in EVOO, like vitamin E and polyphenols, help neutralize free radicals that may contribute to bone weakening. Reducing oxidative stress can slow down the deterioration of bone tissue.
2. It Improves Calcium Absorption
Calcium is essential for strong bones, but it needs to be properly absorbed to be effective. Extra virgin olive oil aids in calcium absorption, ensuring your body makes the most of this critical mineral.
3. It Combats Bone Loss
EVOO contains compounds that may interfere with the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. By regulating this process, it can help maintain bone density, especially in aging populations.
The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, and, of course, olive oil, has been associated with better overall bone health. EVOO is a staple food in this diet, solidifying its importance for skeletal maintenance.
5. It May Promote Osteoblast Activity Emerging research suggests that some bioactive compounds in EVOO stimulate osteoblasts, the cells responsible for forming new bone. This could be critical in restoring bone density, especially in individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis.
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.
Chemical Structure Of Oleuropein
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.
Why A Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Help You Tackle LDL Cholesterol
Updated December 16th 2022
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And LDL Cholesterol
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.
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?
Olive Oil And The Mediterranean Diet
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.
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.”
A Further Health Benefit Of Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Updated 23rd November 2022
Osteoarthritis
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
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 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.
How Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Combat Osteoarthritis
Rich In Polyphenols
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.
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.
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
Ligstroside Aglycone
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.
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.
Why Sending The Best Olive Oil This Year Is The Gift Of Wellness
The Gift Of Love With Olive Oil
If you’re looking for the perfect lifestyle gift this Christmas, look no further than a bottle of quality extra virgin olive oil. With products such as Morocco Gold developed and designed with attention to detail, a bottle of the best olive oil you can find truly is the ultimate gift of health and luxury.
Here are five reasons why a bottle of superior quality extra virgin olive oil makes the ideal present this holiday season:
1/ The health benefits of Extra virgin olive oil are abundant and constantly growing. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, making it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their health. Hardly a month goes by without some new research to support the many health benefits of regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil. So, a bottle of single sourced, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil such as Morocco Gold is – quite literally – a gift of health for your nearest and dearest. You can’t argue with that now, can you?
2/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil is enormously versatile.
There is a reason that our jam packed recipe section online is overflowing with a dish for every diet or taste imaginable. And, whether your recipient is a budding chef or an experienced cook, they’ll be able to find lots of uses for their extra virgin olive oil. From dressing salads to roasting vegetables, it’s a kitchen essential. Extra virgin olive oil makes a great gift for the foodie in your life. For a truly unique present, look for extra virgin olive oil that has been infused with herbs or spices. You can also find extra virgin olive oil that has been flavored with citrus fruits or other flavors. There are endless possibilities when it comes to extra virgin olive oil, so get creative and enjoy the versatility of this healthy cooking ingredient.
3. It’s long-lasting (If you treat it well!) – A quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil will last for months, so your recipient can enjoy it long after Christmas is over. Although there are many factors which determine the shelf life of even the best extra virgin olive oil, the antioxidants which are present in the oil allow it to retain its high-quality even after many months of being bottled.
According to The Olive Oil Times, there are five keyways you can maximise the shelf life of your extra virgin olive oil. These are:
Avoid exposure to light
Choose the right packaging
Read the labels
Find the best-before date
Buy it fresh
If attention is given to all of the above factors, the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil can remain ‘extra virgin’ for up to two years after being packaged.
4. It looks stunning in a Christmas hamper – Just a quick glance at the packaging of some of the best olive oils on the market will tell you just how stunning these bottles look. The attention to design and quality ensures that the end result is a bottle that is a joy to receive and to place on show as the centrepiece of any holiday feast. There’s no other gift quite like extra virgin olive oil, making it a truly special present for someone special in your life.
5. Holiday season is a great time to enjoy a discount off the very best quality olive oil around. At Morocco Gold, we are offering a range of incentives right now to ensure you get the very best value for money with your purchase. As well as free delivery and our hugely popular refer a friend 15% discount, we are also offering a 16% discount when you buy 5 bottles and 2 bottles free when you buy 10.
So if you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical and unique gift this year, extra virgin olive oil is the perfect choice!
Put Nutrition At The Healthy Heart Of Your Wellness Agenda
Wellness With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
National wellness month in August is a great time to focus on good nutrition and making healthy choices and including the best extra virgin olive oil in your diet is a great way to start. One simple way to do this is by incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your diet. This delicious oil is packed with nutrients and offers a host of health benefits. For example, it can help to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and improve blood sugar control. What’s more, extra virgin olive oil is a great source of antioxidants, which are important for protecting the body against disease. So make the most of national wellness month by adding some extra virgin olive oil to your meals!
Why Celebrate National Wellness Month?
Did you know that focusing on your own self-care and wellness helps manage stress and promotes happiness? Whether you challenge yourself to a new fitness regime or book yourself in for a spa treatment, making even small changes can have a positive impact on your health.
There are numerous ways to make those small changes, too.
Add more fruits and vegetables to your meals with a diet such as The Mediterranean Diet.
Increase your water intake.
Monitor your sleep and make adjustments for better sleep habits
Join a yoga, walking, or aerobics class.
Learn to meditate.
The Mediterranean Diet For Wellness: Tell Me More!
According to a fascinating article from Everydayhealth.com, there are eight scientific health benefits of The Mediterranean Diet. So what are the hard facts?
The Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
A Mediterranean Diet May Reduce Women’s Risk of Stroke
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 16 million adults in the United States experience depression each year. While there are many factors that can contribute to depression, research has shown that diet can play a role. In particular, the Mediterranean diet has been linked to a reduced risk of depression.
While more research is needed to confirm the link between the Mediterranean diet and depression, there is evidence to suggest that this way of eating may be beneficial for mental health.
Wellness And Nutrition: What The Scientists Say
These are some seriously impressive claims and full details of the science behind each health benefit can be found at Everydayhealth.com
Jo Ann Carson, PhD, a former professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and a former chair of the nutrition committee for the American Heart Association puts the science in to a wider context:
“Whether you’re thinking of diabetes or cancer or heart disease, we want people to be at a healthy weight and not to be gaining weight unnecessarily. As you’re following the Mediterranean pattern, make sure that you’re doing it in a way that helps you control calories, which is very doable,” she says.
Jo Ann Carson, PhD
This well-rounded approach to good nutrition emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. It also allows for moderate amounts of dairy, lean protein, and red wine. One of the key components of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. This healthy fat has been shown to lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels. It can also reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. In addition, olive oil is a great source of antioxidants and vitamins E and K. So next time you’re looking for a way to improve your health, consider giving the Mediterranean diet a try.
Extra Virgin Olive oil is well known for its many health benefits, and there is a wealth of evidence to show this most versatile of foods can help reduce chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
For centuries, we’ve known that high quality extra virgin olive oil is good for your health and wellbeing and has been lauded across many cultures.
The difference now is – following extensive scientific research, we now know exactly what is in high-quality olive oils that are so good for you – it’s antioxidant polyphenols.
Morocco Gold is an exceptionally high-quality extra virgin olive oil from a unique new source, a raised valley in the foothills of the Atlas mountains that creates its own micro-climate, geology and soil nutrients, providing the perfect conditions for the Picholine Marocaine, the only type of olive used in Morocco Gold.
Using only traditional, sustainable growing and harvesting methods, oil from this olive is recognized for its longevity. What makes it so special, however, is it is teeming with health-enhancing polyphenols, the antioxidants that provide protection against a wide range of chronic diseases. This makes Morocco Gold particularly attractive to health-conscious food lovers – worldwide.
There is now extensive research that shows the positive impact of polyphenols in high-quality extra virgin olive oil on a range of chronic illnesses. New research into COVID-19 is also now demonstrating that these same chronic conditions affect a vital part of our cardiovascular system known as the endothelium. This makes sufferers of chronic conditions much more susceptible to COVID-19 and the effects of long COVID.
Research into diet has now also demonstrated that followers of a Mediterranean diet, with extra virgin olive oil as a key constituent can have a marked positive effect on Covid symptoms.
Morocco Gold is on a mission to:
Re-establish extra virgin olive oil as a healthy diet/lifestyle choice
Show health and wellness-conscious people on how this incredibly simple diet/lifestyle choice – inclusion of a high-quality extra virgin olive oil – can have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing
Show how extra virgin olive fits into a wider wellness lifestyle
2/ The Prevalence Of Chronic Illnesses
In 2016, the Milken Institute reported that the total cost for direct healthcare for chronic illnesses in the USA totalled $1.1trillion, the equivalent of 5.8% of the USA’s GDP.
(The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank based in Santa Monica, California. It publishes research and hosts conferences that apply market-based principles and financial innovations to social issues in the US and internationally).
Total Direct Costs Of Chronic Diseases In The U.S, 2016 ($billions)
The most expensive in terms of direct health care costs are:
Cardiovascular diseases $294.3Bn
Diabetes $189.6Bn
Alzheimer’s $185.9Bn
Osteoarthritis $115.5Bn
The most common chronic health conditions were:
Dyslipidemia (cholesterol imbalance) affecting 94.7m people
Hypertension, a main contributor to heart disease and stroke affecting 78.6m people
Osteoarthritis, affecting 55.7m people
Type-2 diabetes, affecting 26.7m people
Coronary heart disease and heart failure, 23.3m people
When the total indirect cost of lost economic productivity are included, the total cost of chronic disease rises to a staggering $3.7trillio, the equivalent of 19.6% of USA GDP.
Total Costs Of Chronic Diseases In The U.S, 2016
The report went on to project the cost of these chronic illnesses is set to rise and that by 2030 an estimated 83.4m people will be suffering from 3 or more chronic illnesses compared with 30.8m in 2015.
3/ Risk Factors For Chronic Diseases
The report also highlighted obesity and being overweight as the single greatest risk factor contributing to the burden of chronic diseases. In 2016, being overweight and obesity accounted for 47.1% of the total cost of chronic illnesses in the US, $480.7Bn of direct costs and $1.24 Trillion in indirect costs related to lost productivity.
The following illustrates the rate of increase in obesity in the US.
4/ The Role Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil In Combating Chronic Illnesses
Extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil and canola oil are high in monounsaturated fat (the healthy-for-you kind of fat). So what would put extra virgin olive oil above the others if their fat make-up so similar? It’s not just about the kind of fat molecules that they are made up of. Extra virgin olive oil has some extra magic. The biggest thing that makes extra virgin olive oil so healthy is its unique disease-fighting component.
Thanks to the recent spotlight on the Mediterranean Diet, extensive research has been done on the phytonutrient composition of olive oil. What has been discovered is an extensive list of phytonutrients; one of the most praised is its polyphenols. The amount of polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil is truly amazing!
What Are Polyphenols?
Polyphenols are a group of over 500 phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring micronutrients in plants. These compounds give a plant its colour and can help to protect it from various dangers. When you eat plants with polyphenols, you reap the health benefits as well.
Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Polyphenols are a key component in extra virgin olive oil and are considered to be one of the best health enhancing benefits within the oil. Many of the fruits and vegetables we consume contain large numbers of compounds critical for life. One such type of compound is known as antioxidants. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants.
So how do antioxidants fit into the grand scheme of our bodies and our health? Antioxidants are chemicals known to be ‘molecular scavengers’ that help neutralize oxygen free radicals, thus preventing oxidative stress from occurring. There are hundreds of known antioxidants, some of which we consume in our daily diets:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Manganese
Carotenoids
And….POLYPHENOLS?
It’s also thought that polyphenols contribute to keep the body being in an anti-inflammatory state. This is also associated with a lower risk of several chronic diseases.
5/ The Additional Challenge Of Covid 19
As if combatting chronic illnesses were not challenging enough, the financial impact of the covid-19 pandemic has been huge. Official figures show that, globally, the covid-19 pandemic has so far claimed 5.8 million lives. But this is highly likely to be an underestimate, and some models indicate that the true excess death toll could be between 12 and 22 million.
Other costs of covid-19 include disruption to millions of children’s education, lost earnings, unemployment, and lost economic output. The public finance cost of covid-19 has also been enormous.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread around the globe and we learn more about this disease, what is becoming clearer is that elderly people and those with pre-existing chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, respiratory conditions and diabetes appear to be at a higher risk of developing complications and are at high risk, both of the disease itself, plus the effects of long-Covid.
6/ What We Now Know About Covid-19
All the major chronic medical condition that are simultaneously present in patients increase the risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. This includes old age, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, compromised immune system, coronary artery disease or heart failure. All of these chronic conditions are associated with a dysfunctional endothelium.
The endothelium is a monolayer of cells constituting the inner lining of arteries, veins, and capillaries throughout the circulatory system. Under normal conditions, it forms a semi-permeable barrier that prevents leaking of excessive plasma fluid and regulates selective delivery of nutrients and hormones to underlying tissues.
Once considered a mere physical barrier between circulating blood components and underlying tissues, the endothelium is now recognized as an important modulator of vascular function. With the growing understanding of endothelial mediators and their role, it has become increasingly clear that endothelial abnormalities may represent an early sign not only of hemodynamic diseases, but also of metabolic disturbances.
7/ The Endothelium, Blood Vessels, and Endothelial Cells
Almost all tissues depend on a blood supply, and the blood supply depends on endothelial cells which form the linings of the blood vessels. They control the flow of substances and fluid into and out of a tissue. An impaired function can lead to serious health issues throughout the body. Endothelial cells line blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, they are found exclusively in vascularized tissue.
Endothelial cells have a remarkable capacity to adjust their number and arrangement to suit local requirements. They create an adaptable life-support system, extending by cell migration into almost every region of the body.
Endothelial Cells
Endothelial cells are nearly ubiquitous throughout the body. If it were not for endothelial cells extending and remodelling the network of blood vessels, tissue growth and repair would be impossible.
8/ What Causes Endothelial Cell Dysfunction
The following are the main factors that impact endothelial cell dysfunction. Of all the risk factors, only one is non-modifiable, that is the natural progression towards old age. All other risk factors are modifiable.
Aging
Aging is one of the main risk factors for dysfunction of both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelial cell injury is normally mitigated by endogenous reparative processes mediated by bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Overtime, the endothelium ability to regenerate itself tends to decrease, partly as a consequence of reduced EPC availability and/or mobilization.
Even in the absence of specific risk factors, senescence (deterioration with age) is accompanied by several structural and functional changes occurring throughout the entire vascular system and contributing to alter endothelial barrier integrity. Moreover, the aging process may damage the balance between vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances produced by the endothelium.
Oxidative Stress
Oxidation is a natural process our cells use to create energy from the oxygen we inhale. As energy is being produced in our cells, some oxygen molecules, known as oxygen free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a by-product of these processes. An excess of ROS can damage your cells and DNA when in high concentration.
Continuous damage by ROS, most often termed oxidative stress, can lead to various conditions including:
Various forms of cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia
Wrinkles associated with age
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in a limited amount in endothelial cells under normal physiological conditions. The balance between oxidant and antioxidant processes regulates the amount of ROS generated by endothelial cells.
Oxidative stress may be generated by several pathological conditions, such as; Dyslipidemia, Smoking, Hypertension, Diabetes and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). All these factors are able to produce ROS. Increased ROS generation decreases the ability of free radical scavengers and increases the susceptibility to free radical damage to the endothelium.
Dyslipidemia : Cholesterol Imbalance
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL – or ‘bad’ cholesterol) or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL – or ‘good’ cholesterol). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) can induce endothelial dysfunction by several mechanisms including: binding to scavenger receptors such as receptor-A1, -A2, and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (SR-A1, SR-A2, and LOX-1); upregulating the expression of its own receptor LOX-1 on endothelial cells and activating endothelial cells; promoting the growth and migration of smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages and fibroblasts; and leading to oxidative stress through the generation of excessive ROS amounts.
Smoking
Exposure to cigarette smoke increases the rate of cardiovascular diseases by inducing morphological alterations and functional exchanges in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Smoking causes a progressive downregulation of the endothelial functions, leading to adhesion of platelets and leukocytes and promoting thrombosis.
Hypertension
Studies have shown that in patients with essential hypertension, the decreased bioavailability in endothelial cells results from increased oxidative stress and subsequent activation of signalling pathways related to inflammation and contraction in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
Advanced glycation end products are modifications of proteins or lipids that become nonenzymatically glycated and oxidized after contact with aldose sugars. AGEs are compounds formed in the body fat and protein combine with sugar. When they accumulate in high levels they unleash the risk of many diseases including diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure and Alzheimers. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) – Healthline
Chronic exposure to high AGE-rich diets can lead to and/or accelerate endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease over time.
Endothelial dysfunction represents an early, pivotal, and common denominator of vascular and metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, both of which are major risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, a high-AGE meal induces a more pronounced acute impairment of vascular function than does an otherwise identical low-AGE meal.
Obesity
The obesity condition is associated with worsening of the microvascular endothelial function as shown by flow-mediated dilation in the brachial arteries of obese individuals. Obese individuals are highly susceptible to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 development through several mechanisms including chronic inflammation, endothelium imbalance, dysregulated immune response, metabolic dysfunction, and dysfunctional mesenchymal stem cells/adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell.
9/ How The Immune System Fights Back
Emerging scientific knowledge research suggests that Covid-19 attacks the body by causing inflammation and oxidative stress in the endothelial cells.
Cytokines are small proteins that are crucial in controlling the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells. When released, they signal the immune system to do its job. Cytokines affect the growth of all blood cells and other cells that help the body’s immune and inflammation responses.
Although cytokines are an important component of our immune system, too many of these can lead to what is known as a ‘cytokine storm’. This is essentially an overreaction of our immune system which can have a seriously detrimental impact on COVID-19 sufferers and, in some cases, lead to fatality. This is because cytokine storms reduce the amount of oxygen circulating in our blood, causing fluid build-up in the lungs and lead to life-threatening breathing difficulties.
10/ Polyphenols In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The high polyphenol content of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is dependent on three factors. First is the variety of the olive, secondly the climate and terroire of the growing region and thirdly the actual time in the growing season that the crop is harvested.
Morocco Gold is pressed from the Picholine Marocaine, the only type of olive to go into Morocco Gold. Oil from this variety is renowned for it’s high polyphenol count, oxidative stability and longevity.
Our olives are grown in a valley that is about 2,000 feet above sea level. This helps to create the additional climatic challenges that encourage polyphenol uptake within the olive tree. It is also an area with naturally occurring high phenols in the soil itself.
In soils, phenols are released over extended period of time from decomposing plant materials. This causes complex organic compounds to be slowly oxidized or to break down into simpler forms of sugars, amino sugars, aliphatic and phenolic organic acids. These are further transformed into microbial biomass or are reorganized, and further oxidized, into humic assemblages (fulvic and humic acids), which bind to clay minerals.
There has been a long debate about the ability of plants to uptake humic substances through their root systems and to metabolize them. There is now a consensus about how humus plays a hormonal role rather than simply a nutritional role in plant physiology. Olive trees grown in ‘challenging’ conditions encourage the uptake of naturally occurring phenols in the soil. This in turn aids the circulatory system within the olive tree, with the phenols eventually finding their way to the olive fruit itself.
Thirdly, our olives are picked when the fruit is young and green. As the olives age on the tree, the colour of the olive changes to red and then black, the size of the olive increases thus producing more oil, but the polyphenol level decreases. There is a great deal of expertise within the farming community where we source our oil to ensure that the harvest is collected at the optimum time to maximise the polyphenol level.
The Polyphenols Present In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
We are delighted to say that this year’s harvest continues to provide a low acidity level of 0.28% together with the continuing highest level of polyphenols seen in our extra virgin olive oil. To find out more about these the polyphenols in our extra virgin olive oil and their related health benefits – follow the links below.
Polyphenol content in Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The following illustrates the range of chronic conditions where research into these polyphenols oil has demonstrated positive effects.
Health Benefits And Polyphenols
In fact the European Food Safety Authority has now approved health claims for extra virgin olive oils with polyphenol content of more than 250mg / kg. Morocco Gold contains polyphenols well above this level.
11/ Olive Oil and Endothelial Function
Olive oil is to the Mediterranean diet what soybean is to the Japanese diet. It is omnipresent in meals and consumed in high amounts. The oil contains several bioactive compounds including oleic acid, oleanolic acid, oleuropein, oleocanthal, taxifolin, hydroxytyrosol, homovanillyl alcohol, caffeic and ferulic acid.
Several in vivo studies involving small and large numbers of participants have investigated the health benefits of olive oil, and several of these studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of consuming olive oil.
In a study at Mayo Clinic, designed to investigate the long-term effect of olive oil and/or green tea supplementation on endothelial function, participants (n = 82 started and n = 52 completed the study) with early atherosclerosis and presence of endothelial dysfunction (EndoPAT score < 2.0) were randomized to receive 30 mL of polyphenol-rich olive oil alone or in association with green tea EGCG for 4 months.
To determine the effect of olive oil or olive oil and EGCG on endothelial function, Endo-PAT and inflammatory biomarkers including hsCRP, IL-6, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, and oxidative stress biomarkers including oxLDL and 8-isoprostane, were measured in the 52 patients who completed this study. The results showed that the consumption of olive oil alone significantly improved endothelial function in patients with low to intermediate risk of atherosclerosis, with no additional beneficial effects associated with EGCG.
Several olive oil constituents have potent anti-inflammatory activities and can restrict the progression of various inflammation-linked diseases ranging from endothelial dysfunction to arthritis, cancer, and the severity of COVID-19.
12/ What Is Long COVID?
While most people recover quickly from coronavirus, some people may have ongoing symptoms. These can last for a few weeks or longer. This has been referred to as long COVID. These symptoms are not limited to people who were seriously unwell or hospitalised with coronavirus.
Most people’s symptoms of coronavirus get better within 4 weeks. But for some people, symptoms can last longer, or new ones can develop. Symptoms can also change over time and can affect anywhere in the body.
Healthcare professionals may refer to long COVID as: ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (4 to 12 weeks); post-COVID-19 syndrome (over 12 weeks)
As this is a new condition, understanding is developing all the time. Experts are learning more about how long symptoms will last, and it will vary from person to person. There can be different symptoms which often overlap. It can’t be said exactly how long coronavirus symptoms will last. The reassuring evidence is that symptoms improve over time in most cases.
Signs And Symptoms Of Long COVID
Signs and symptoms after coronavirus can be different from person to person. The most common ones include:
Scientists at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have been recruiting individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 to the COVID-19 cohort of the NIHR BioResource. They want to better understand the relationship between the immune response and COVID-19 symptoms. The study also provides clues to the biology underlying cases of long COVID. In long COVID patients report experiencing symptoms of the disease, including fatigue, for several months after infection, even when they no longer test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
The team found that profound alterations in many immune cell types often persisted for weeks or even months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These problems resolved themselves very differently depending on the type of immune cell. Some recover while some remain markedly abnormal, or show only limited recovery, even after systemic inflammation has resolved and patients have been discharged from hospital.
Dr Laura Bergamaschi, the study’s first author, said:
“It’s these populations of immune cells that still show abnormalities even when everything else seems to have resolved itself that might be of importance in long COVID. For some cell types, it may be that they are just slow to regenerate, but for others, including some types of T and B cells, it appears something is continuing to drive their activity.
The more we understand about this, the more likely we will be able to better treat patients whose lives continue to be blighted by the after-effects of COVID-19”.
13/ The Crucial Importance Of Diet
As the Milken Institute reported, the single most significant risk factor contributing towards chronic illnesses is being overweight and obese.
As well as measuring the waistline and stepping on the scales, we are also now beginning to better understand exactly what is going on – on the inside – at a cellular level and the role that polyphenols in high quality extra virgin olive oil can play in protecting our bodies against a wide range of chronic diseases.
The ever-popular diet, with its emphasis on quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish continues to out rank its rivals on this key barometer for wellness and nutrition. It was named best diet overall for 2022, in addition to best diet for healthy eating, best heart-healthy diet, best diet for diabetes, best plant-based diet and easiest diet to follow. That’s a lot of wins!
Speaking to Good Morning America, managing editor of U.S. News and World Report said: “There’s no real surprise why that is […] It’s healthy. It’s delicious. It’s nutritious, and it’s really easy to follow.”
The Mediterranean Diet is followed in the list by other popular dietary choices near the top of the hit parade: namely DASH, Flexitarian, MIND, TLC, Mayo Clinic, WW and Volumetrics.
14/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil and The Mediterranean Diet For Wellness
It is generally accepted that the folks in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular ailments. The not-so-surprising secret is an active lifestyle, weight control, and a diet low in red meat, sugar and saturated fat and high in produce, nuts and other healthful foods, with extra virgin olive oil at its heart.
The Mediterranean Diet including extra virgin olive oil offers a host of health benefits, particularly including weight loss, heart and brain health, cancer prevention, and diabetes prevention and control. By following the Mediterranean Diet, you could also keep that weight off while avoiding chronic disease.
There is not a single Mediterranean diet. Greeks eat differently from Italians, who eat differently from the French and Spanish. But they share many of the same principles and all include extra virgin olive oil as a key constituent.
U.S. News Best Diet Rankings
A recent review of 35 diets by U.S. News’ with inputs from a panel of health experts ranked the Mediterranean Diet #1 in Best Diets Overall.
Mediterranean Diet is ranked:
Best Diets Overall
Best Plant-Based Diets
Best Diabetes Diets
Best Diets for Healthy Eating
Easiest Diets to Follow
Best Heart-Healthy Diets
Olive Oil And The Mediterranean Diet
Olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. The people will eat slower and in a more enjoyable eating. People who eat a Mediterranean diet have a variety of health benefits. The olive oil in the Mediterranean diet can quickly satisfy hunger and lead to fewer total calories ingested at mealtime. It is unclear if any single component of this diet is responsible for these health benefits or if it is a combination of olive oil and a diet high in vegetables, fruit and fish.
Extra virgin olive oil has no chemical processing. (Nearly every other vegetable oil has been detoxified and refined with steam and solvents). Fresh pressed extra virgin olive oil can be eaten immediately and retains the natural flavours, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other healthy products of the ripe olive fruit.
Most doctors advocate lowering total fat and calories in your diet, and substituting butter, margarine and tropical oils with healthy fats like olive oil.
Health Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The village of Pioppi, Italy became notorious as the home of the Mediterranean diet. As the villagers have no supermarket, their diet consists largely of vegetables, olive oil and fish. They also eat cheese, but other dairy products aren’t available. Pasta and bread eaten in small quantities. In addition to sugar, their diet is low in meat and refined carbohydrates. Many of its residents live past the age of 100.
Picture what it would be like to enjoy one’s golden years without dementia or type 2 diabetes, maladies that are an integral part of aging in the rest of the world. After hearing about Pioppi, cardiologist Aseem Malhotra became fascinated with discovering what diet kept the residents so healthy and what lessons could be learned from them.
After studying the village, Malhotra developed a formula for optimal health. For starters, the Pioppians have a very low sugar intake, eating it only once per week. It is this dietary practice that the doctor considers essential for their good health. He contends that western society’s fear of fat is to blame for the high consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Malhotra attributes these foods as the cause of the widespread incidence of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Other lifestyle practices aside from a healthful diet play a role. The villagers get seven hours of sleep per night and experience freedom from much stress. Although it isn’t intentional, intermittent fasting is a natural part of their lives. They don’t engage in exercise per se, but they’re very active.
Components Of The Mediterranean Diet And Risk Of Covid-19
The positive effects of a healthy diet on Covid-19 are now being confirmed in studies.
From March to December 2020, 9,699 participants of the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” (SUN) cohort answered a COVID-19 questionnaire. After excluding doctors and nurses, 5,194 participants were included in the main statistical analyses. Among them, they observed 382 cases of COVID-19 based on symptoms and clinical diagnosis; 167 of them with test confirmation.
For the two COVID-19 definitions used, the study found a significant decrease in risk for a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A protective effect was also found for symptomatic COVID-19.
Among the different individual food groups, only the consumption of whole dairy products showed a harmful direct association. The study concluded ‘The Mediterranean diet as a whole seems more important than each of its components in preventing the infection and symptoms of COVID-19’.
…the Mediterranean diet – with high quality extra virgin olive oil as a key component, is a simple lifestyle choice that could well have a profound impact on you overall health and wellbeing and lead to a more fulfilling, longer, pain free life.
EVOO Fuelled Southern European Atlantic Diet Boosts Mental And Physical Wellbeing
Updated August 5th 2024
Atlantic Diet Boosts Wellbeing
Summary
The Atlantic Diet is inspired by the eating habits of Atlantic Ocean coastal regions, emphasising locally-sourced fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, and dairy products.
Extra virgin olive is flexible and versatile, making a great fit for followers of The Atlantic Diet -used as a cooking ingredient or salad dressing staple.
Have you heard of the Atlantic Diet? If you’re a food enthusiast or someone who cares deeply about your health, this diet might just be your new best friend. But there’s one secret ingredient that takes it to another level—extra virgin olive oil. In this post, we’ll uncover why this golden elixir is so crucial to the Atlantic Diet and how it can offer numerous health benefits.
If you care about improving your own wellbeing, there’s a high chance you will have heard about the benefits of the best olive oil and The Mediterranean Diet. But a close neighbour, both nutritionally and geographically, – the Southern European Atlantic Diet – is a great choice for lovers of extra virgin olive oil.
What is the Atlantic Diet?
The Atlantic Diet is inspired by the traditional eating habits of the coastal regions bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced foods and balanced nutrition. This diet is not just about what you eat, but how you eat it—focusing on enjoying meals with family and friends.
Fresh and Locally-Sourced Foods
One of the core principles of the Atlantic Diet is the use of fresh and locally-sourced foods. Think of wild-caught fish, organic vegetables, and seasonal fruits. These options not only taste better but are often more nutritious and environmentally friendly.
Balanced Nutrition
The Atlantic Diet promotes a balanced approach to nutrition. It encourages the consumption of various food groups, including lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil. This balance ensures that you get all the essential nutrients your body needs.
Enjoying Meals
Eating is not just about fueling your body; it’s also a social activity. The Atlantic Diet encourages people to enjoy their meals in a relaxed setting, taking time to savor the flavors and the company. This approach can improve digestion and make eating more enjoyable.
A fascinating new review from Advances in Nutrition claims that the Southern European Atlantic Diet can seriously boost your longevity, physical and mental health.
What Is The Southern European Atlantic Diet?
The Southern European Atlantic Diet emulates the nutritional habits and lifestyle choices adopted by people who inhabit northern Portugal and North-western Spain. It is defined both by the food choices and the way in which they are prepared.
Examples of key foods in the Southern Atlantic Diet, as listed in mindbodygreen.com are:
Daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, and dairy products
Weekly consumption of seafood (especially cod and other fish), eggs, dried fruits, legumes, and lean meats (e.g., beef, pork, and poultry)
Occasional consumption of fatty meats and sweets
How The Mediterranean Diet Compares With The Atlantic Diet
Comparisons of the food pyramids of both The Mediterranean Diet and the Atlantic diet reveal similarities in the prioritization of plant-based meals with occasional inclusion of fresh fish, lean meats, eggs and dairy.
It is when we take a closer look at the lifestyle habits of the people living in this region that we get an understanding of the contribution to living long, happy and healthy lives. These lifestyle choices include:
Choosing plant-centric foods which, like extra virgin olive oil, are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants to contribute to healthy ageing.
Keeping your body well always hydrated – which boosts your detox powers and help flush out toxins.
Incorporating movement and physical activity to your daily routine.
Psychological well-being – whether it’s meeting friends and family often or enjoying the pleasure of good food, this is a great way to add years to your life – the European Atlantic way!
How to Incorporate Extra Virgin Olive Oil in The Atlantic Diet
Extra virgin olive oil is a staple in the Atlantic Diet, and for a good reason. It’s versatile, flavorful, and packed with health benefits. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your daily meals.
Drizzling Over Salads
One of the simplest ways to add extra virgin olive oil to your diet is by drizzling it over salads. Whether it’s a basic green salad or a hearty Mediterranean-style mix, olive oil can elevate the flavors while adding healthy fats.
Cooking with Olive Oil
Olive oil is excellent for sautéing vegetables, marinating meats, and even baking. Its high smoke point makes it suitable for various cooking methods, ensuring your dishes are both delicious and nutritious.
Using it in Dressings and Sauces
Homemade dressings and sauces are another fantastic way to incorporate extra virgin olive oil. Mix it with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, or herbs to create a flavorful dressing that enhances any dish.
Keeping a bottle of the best olive oil in your store cupboard all year round is a great way to stay on track with either The Southern European Atlantic or The Mediterranean Diet.
Extra virgin olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. A healthy diet that is associated with sensible tasty portions and slower, more enjoyable eating. People who eat a Mediterranean diet have been shown to have a remarkable variety of health benefits. The extra virgin olive oil in the Mediterranean diet can quickly satisfy hunger. It can lead to fewer total calories ingested at mealtime.
What are the Health Benefits of Using Olive Oil as Your Primary Fat Source in The Atlantic Diet?
Extra virgin olive oil is celebrated for its numerous health benefits, making it a perfect fit for the Atlantic Diet. Let’s explore some of these benefits.
Heart Health
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to reduce bad cholesterol levels. This can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, making olive oil a heart-healthy choice.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Olive oil contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as oleocanthal. These properties can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to various chronic diseases like arthritis and diabetes.
Improved Digestion
Olive oil can also aid in digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes. This can help improve gut health and reduce issues like bloating and constipation.
Enhanced Nutrient Absorption
The healthy fats in olive oil can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. This means that when you consume olive oil with nutrient-rich foods, your body can absorb more of the good stuff.
Skin and Hair Benefits
The antioxidants and vitamins in olive oil can also benefit your skin and hair. Regular consumption can lead to a healthier complexion and stronger, shinier hair.
Weight Management
Contrary to popular belief, incorporating healthy fats like olive oil into your diet can aid in weight management. The fats can help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
But, whichever diet you choose to follow, the key thing is to stick with it until it becomes an integral part of your lifestyle. This is especially important as we lead ourselves gently out of a global health pandemic.
Markos Klonizakis, a clinical physiologist at Sheffield Hallam University, in England, said one of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet is that there are many variations, making it adaptable across cultures. In addition, Klonizakis argues that the eating preferences of people can be shaped by many factors and the current pandemic may be one of them.
“Unhealthy food is easier to prepare. Maybe the coronavirus pandemic is a chance for us to start eating better,” he said. “Of course, eating patterns are also a matter of trend, for example, the vegan regime has many adherents even though its benefits are not widely established, but nutritional tradition usually endures through time.”
Celebrate The Best Food For Health Across The World This Month
Wellness Wednesday Celebrates Nutrition
It’s that time of the week again and, as we pause to enjoy Wellness Wednesday, we wanted to celebrate National Nutrition Month which this year is flying the flag for flavours from around the world.
Being culturally adventurous is also another great way to boost your potential to achieve your wellness goals. That’s because we can learn so much about nutrition from the dietary choices and lifestyles of those in many different parts of the world. While The Mediterranean Diet remains one of the most popular healthy diet plans, it’s not the only one worth considering. And the great news is that the inclusion of a healthy monounsaturated fat such as extra virgin olive oil can be used in so many dishes from all corners of our world.
Embrace Cultural Diversity In Your Wellness Plan
Cultural Diversity In Your Wellness Plan
This theme of wellness through nutritional exploration is summarised so perfectly by the organisers of National Nutrition Month:
Celebrating flavors from cultures around the world is a tasty way to nourish ourselves and appreciate our diversity. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds and tastes! A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you create healthy habits that celebrate your heritage and introduce you to new foods and flavors.
“The theme Celebrate a World of Flavors gives every culture a place at the table. Celebrating the cultural heritage, traditions and recipes from all people is a tasty way to nourish ourselves, learn about one another and find appreciation in our diversity.”
During National Nutrition Month®, the Academy encourages everyone to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits they can follow all year long. The Academy encourages seeking the advice of RDNs – the food and nutrition experts who can help develop individualized eating and activity plans to meet people’s health goals.
“Celebrate a World of Flavors highlights the unique, cultural variety of foods available to people from around the world and the role that registered dietitian nutritionist play in helping clients create healthy habits while celebrating their cultural foods and heritage,”
Rahaf Al Bochi
A national spokesperson for the Academy in Baltimore, Md.
RDNs help clients fine-tune traditional recipes, provide alternative cooking methods and other healthful advice for incorporating family-favorite foods into everyday meals.
Why The Mediterranean Diet Remains Top For Health Benefits
The ever-popular diet, with its emphasis on quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish continues to out rank its rivals on this key barometer for wellness and nutrition. It was named best diet overall for 2022, in addition to best diet for healthy eating, best heart-healthy diet, best diet for diabetes, best plant-based diet and easiest diet to follow.
It is generally accepted that the folks in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular ailments. The not-so-surprising secret is an active lifestyle, weight control, and a diet low in red meat, sugar and saturated fat and high in produce, nuts and other healthful foods, with extra virgin olive oil at its heart.
The Mediterranean Diet including extra virgin olive oil offers a host of health benefits, particularly including weight loss, heart and brain health, cancer prevention, and diabetes prevention and control. By following the Mediterranean Diet, you could also keep that weight off while avoiding chronic disease.
For more information on National Nutrition Month, including how to find a regional registered dietician please see here.
To find out a bit more about how you can incorporate Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil in to your cooking, whatever your cultural traditions, please check out our inspirational recipe section here. Happy cooking!
Celebrate National Wellness Month With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Updated 23rd August 2023
August is National Wellness Month: a time of year to focus on taking care of your own health and wellbeing. One way of achieving a wellness lifestyle without having to overhaul existing habits is adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet.
There is no short supply of research that shows self-care can help you manage stress and promote greater happiness. Even making small changes to your lifestyle can impact your health in positive ways.
Not only does Extra Virgin Olive Oil benefit the body with its monounsaturated fatty acids, helping reduce cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health – but it has amazing flavor that will make meals come alive for your taste buds – all while boosting your level of wellness.
Let’s take a closer look at the culinary effects that extra virgin olive oil can have on how you celebrate National Wellness Month in 2023!
Starting Your Day With Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Boost Wellness
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a key component in The Mediterranean Diet – one of the most consistently popular diet and lifestyle for those seeking to improve their overall wellness. If you want to incorporate a Mediterranean start to your day, one of the best ways to do so is by drinking extra virgin olive oil, first thing in the morning.
This is a quick and easy way to boost your daily intake of antioxidants and healthy fats. Drinking a shot of olive oil in the morning can be good for your skin, throat and help as part of a wellness plan.
How Much Extra Virgin Olive Oil Should I Take To Improve Wellness?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Wellness
What Is In 1 Tablespoon Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
1.9 milligrams of vitamin E (10 percent of Daily Value)
8.1 micrograms of vitamin K (10 percent of DV)
European Food Safety Agency Recommendation
The European Food Safety Agency regulation states that extra virgin olive oil with a polyphenol level of 250mg / kg and above can make health claims. However, it is also very specific about which polyphenols this applies to. It specifically states that this must include hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives, (oleuropein and tyrosol). So long as these polyphenols are present, the beneficial effects can be obtained with a daily intake of around 20ml of olive oil.
At this level of polyphenol, 1 tablespoon will have around 7.1 mg/kg (250 / 35) So to get the health benefits you would need to take around 3 tablespoons per day.
Because the concentration of polyphenols in Morocco Gold is much higher than the standard, you will get the associated health benefits with around 2 tablespoons per day.
Morocco Gold Commits To Global Wellness By Becoming Ambassador Of Global Wellness Institute
Our support of The Global Wellness Institute demonstrates our shared vision to transform the health and wellness of people, communities and the planet, also to eradicate preventable diseases worldwide.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And The Pursuit Of Wellness
It has been known for centuries that high quality extra virgin olive oil is good for your health and wellbeing. It has also been lauded across many cultures.
In ancient Rome, olive oil was used for nearly everything in relation to their health. Roman medicine takes heavily from Greek doctors, who influenced European medicine for centuries.
The difference now is – following extensive scientific research we now know exactly what is in high quality olive oils that is so good for you – its antioxidant polyphenols.
Echoing the ambition of The Global Wellness Institute and its Ambassadors across the globe, Morocco Gold is on a mission to:
Re-establish extra virgin olive oil as a healthy diet / wellness lifestyle choice
Show wellness conscious people on how this incredibly simple diet / lifestyle choice – inclusion of a high-quality extra virgin olive oil – can have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing
Show how extra virgin olive fits into a wider wellness lifestyle.
Morocco Gold is an exceptionally high-quality extra virgin olive oil from a unique new source. What makes it so special is it is teeming with health enhancing polyphenols. The following illustrates the range of chronic conditions where research into these polyphenols, all of which are present in Morocco Gold, has demonstrated positive effects.
Health Benefits And Polyphenols
In fact the European Food Safety Authority has now approved health claims for extra virgin olive oils with polyphenol content of more than 250mg / kg. Morocco Gold contains polyphenols well above this level.
Research has shown that polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil have a massive and positive impact on health and doctors recommend high consumption of polyphenol sources. It is important that this is genuine, unprocessed extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold that will still have its polyphenols intact. Processed or refined olive oils usually have their polyphenols extracted from the oil during filtration and refining.
The Global Wellness Institute™ is a non-profit organization and the leading research and educational resource for the global wellness industry. The GWI was founded in 2015 and has since developed the most frequently cited, in-depth research on the $4.5 trillion wellness economy. The GWI’s 2018 Global Wellness Economy Monitor found that the global wellness industry grew 13.5% from 2015-2017, from a $3.7 trillion to a $4.2 trillion market. According to the Institute, there are ten sectors that make up the multi-trillion wellness economy. There are currently 28 GWI Initiatives led by thought-leaders and experts in their fields working to increase knowledge about wellness in its many and varied forms.
The GWI’s Wellness Moonshot: A World Free of Preventable Disease is the first global commitment to eradicate preventable, chronic diseases. In 2019, the GWI introduced the Wellness Moonshot Calendar as a tool to create a culture of wellness within organizations and workplaces worldwide. GWI launched Wellness Evidence in 2011, the world’s first aggregation of medical evidence for the most common wellness modalities and therapies.
Exploring what is so special about extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) that deliver the extraordinary health benefits of best olive oil as well as tasting great.
Updated October 18th 2022
Summary
The best olive oil is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
Studies show that the fatty acids and antioxidants in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) can offer some powerful health benefits.
The monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) contribute to a healthy diet.
Saturated fats are usually solid or semi-solid at room temperature and are strongly associated with raised blood cholesterol
One tablespoon (13.5 grams) of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) typically contains Saturated fat: 14% Monounsaturated fat: 73% (mostly oleic acid) Vitamin E: 13% of the Daily Value (DV) Vitamin K: 7% of the DV
True extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is loaded with polyphenols the antioxidants some of which have powerful health benefits.
A main polyphenol in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is oleocanthal, which has been shown to work like ibuprofen, a popular anti-inflammatory drug.
Polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) also protects against heart disease by: reducing inflammation, a key driver of heart disease; reducing oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol; improving blood vessel health; helping to manage blood clotting; lowering blood pressure.
The oleic acid in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is also highly resistant to oxidation and has been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.
Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) improved brain function and reduced the risk of cognitive impairment.
We are always delighted to come across articles that confirm our own extensive researches into the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and it’s nutritional information. We know extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat in the world. Here is a wonderful summary from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/extra-virgin-olive-oil
The Nutritional Benefits Of Olive Oil
Dietary fats are highly controversial, with debates about animal fats, seed oils, and everything in between in full force. That said, most people agree that extra virgin olive oil is incredibly healthy. Part of the Mediterranean diet, this traditional oil has been a dietary staple for some of the world’s healthiest populations.
Studies show that the fatty acids and antioxidants in olive oil can offer some powerful health benefits. This article reviews why extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat on earth.
What Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) And How Is It Made?
Olive oil is oil that has been pressed from olives, the fruits of the olive tree. The production process is incredibly simple — olives are pressed to extract their oil. However, lower quality versions can be extracted using chemicals, or even diluted with other, cheaper oils. Therefore, buying the right type of olive oil is crucial.
The best type is extra virgin olive oil. It’s extracted using natural methods and standardized for purity and certain sensory qualities like taste and smell. Oil that is truly extra virgin olive oil has a distinct taste and is high in polyphenol antioxidants, the main reason why it’s so beneficial.
Also, there are refined or “light” olive oils, which have often been extracted with solvents, treated with heat, or even diluted with cheaper oils like soybean or canola oil. For this reason, it’s essential to inspect the label carefully and buy from a reputable seller. Even oil that is labelled extra virgin olive oil may have been adulterated with cheaper oils.
True extra virgin olive oil is 100% natural and very high in antioxidants. Many of the lower quality olive oils have been processed and adulterated with cheaper oils.
The Fats In Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) That Contribute To A Healthy Diet
Fats are made up of fatty acids and glycerol. A fatty acid consists of a chain of carbon atoms, where each carbon atom in the chain is attached to hydrogen atoms. The number of hydrogen atoms per carbon atom determines whether the fatty acid is saturated or unsaturated and therefore will contribute towards a healthy diet.
Saturated fats If a fatty acid has all of the hydrogen atoms it can hold (2 per carbon atom in the chain) and all of the carbon atoms in the chain are linked by single bonds, it is described as saturated.
Saturated fats are usually solid or semi-solid at room temperature and are strongly associated with raised blood cholesterol which is why nutritionists recommend eating them as little as possible. Lard, butter, hard cheeses, whole milk, animal fats and palm and coconut oils – plus products containing them – all contain high levels of saturated fat that do not support a healthy diet.
Monounsaturated Fats In Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Support A Healthy Diet If a pair of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain is linked by a double bond instead of a single bond, the fatty acid is described as monounsaturated. Fats rich in monounsaturates tend to be liquid at room temperature. Olive oil is one of the richest sources of monounsaturated fatty acids and therefore supports a healthy diet.
Monounsaturated fats—omega-6s in the case of extra virgin olive oil—are important because they help boost heart health. This is important for helping prevent health issues such as cardiovascular disease or stroke.
Polyunsaturated fats These contain more than one double bond and are liquid at room temperature. The main sources are vegetable oils, such as sunflower oil, corn oil and rapeseed, but not tropical oils such as coconut, palm and palm kernel oils.
Trans fats Trans fats are created when a hydrogenation process is applied to solidify oil for use in margarines or to improve a product’s shelf life. This processing causes trans fats to act like saturated fats.
The following illustrates the differing fat contents of a range of products.
Fat Content Comparison Table
What Is In 1 Tablespoon Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)?
One serving or 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil contains the following:
120 calories
10 grams of monounsaturated fat
2 grams of saturated fat
2 grams of polyunsaturated fat
1.9 milligrams of vitamin E (10 percent of Daily Value)
8.1 micrograms of vitamin K (10 percent of DV)
Not All Calories Are Created Equal
As part of maintaining a healthy diet many people want to know how many calories are in olive oil. Research has shown that not all calories are necessarily equal.
In a famous study at Middlesex Hospital in London in the 1950s, two British researchers, Professor Alan Kekwick and Dr. Gaston L.S. Pawan, tested a series of diets on overweight patients. The patients on a high-carbohydrate diet consistently gained or sustained weight, even when given limited calories. Conversely, subjects on a high-fat diet lost considerably more weight than any of the other diets, even when provided with excess calories.
A more recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association also challenges the notion that a “calorie is just a calorie.” Led by Cara Ebbeling, PhD, associate director and David Ludwig, MD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, the purpose of the study was to learn what kind of diet helped people maintain their new weight after successfully losing weight. The results indicated that a low-fat diet predicts weight regain, while diets featuring a moderate to high percentage of calories from fat both increased subjects’ energy expenditure and reduced the surge in their blood sugar after eating, making these diets preferable to a low-fat diet for those trying to achieve lasting weight loss.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Evoo) Nutrition
Extra virgin olive oil is nutritious. It contains modest amounts of vitamins E and K and plenty of beneficial fatty acids.
Some more olive oil nutrition information – One tablespoon (13.5 grams) of olive oil contains the following:
Saturated fat: 14%
Monounsaturated fat: 73% (mostly oleic acid)
Vitamin E: 13% of the Daily Value (DV)
Vitamin K: 7% of the DV
Notably, extra virgin olive oil shines in its antioxidant content. Antioxidants are biologically active, and some of them can help fight serious diseases. The oil’s main antioxidants include the anti-inflammatory oleocanthal, as well as oleuropein, a substance that protects LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation.
Olive oil is very high in monounsaturated fats and contains a modest amount of vitamins E and K. True extra virgin olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, some of which have powerful health benefits.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Health Benefits
Extra virgin olive oil contains anti-inflammatory substances
Chronic inflammation is believed to be among the leading drivers of many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and arthritis. Some speculate that olive oil’s ability to fight inflammation is behind its many health benefits.
Oleic acid, the most prominent fatty acid in olive oil, has been found to reduce inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. However, the oil’s main anti-inflammatory effects seem to be due to its antioxidants, primarily oleocanthal, which has been shown to work like ibuprofen, a popular anti-inflammatory drug. Researchers estimate that the amount of oleocanthal in 50 ml (about 3.4 tablespoons) of extra virgin olive oil exerts effects similar to those of 10% of the adult ibuprofen dosage for pain relief. Also, one study showed that substances in olive oil can reduce the expression of genes and proteins that mediate inflammation.
Keep in mind that chronic, low-level inflammation is usually fairly mild, and it takes years or decades for it to do damage. Using extra virgin olive oil may help prevent this from happening, leading to a reduced risk of various inflammatory diseases, especially heart disease. Olive oil contains oleic acid and oleocanthal, two nutrients that can fight inflammation. This may be the main reason for olive oil’s health benefits.
Extra virgin olive oil (Evoo) and cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, are among the most common causes of death in the world. Many observational studies show that death from these diseases is low in certain areas of the world, especially in countries around the Mediterranean Sea. This observation originally spurred interest in the Mediterranean diet, which is supposed to mimic the way the people in those countries eat. Studies on the Mediterranean diet show that it can help prevent heart disease. In one major study, it reduced heart attacks, strokes, and death by 30%.
Extra virgin olive oil protects against heart disease via numerous mechanisms:
Reducing inflammation: Olive oil protects against inflammation, a key driver of heart disease
Reduces oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol: The oil protects LDL particles from oxidative damage, a key factor in the development of heart disease
Improves blood vessel health: Olive oil improves the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels
Helps manage blood clotting: Some studies suggest that olive oil can help prevent unwanted blood clotting, a key feature of heart attacks and strokes
Lowers blood pressure: One study in patients with elevated blood pressure found that olive oil reduced blood pressure significantly and lowered the need for blood pressure medication by 48%
Given the biological effects of extra virgin olive oil, it’s not surprising that people who consume the greatest amounts of it are significantly less likely to die from heart attacks and strokes.
Dozens — if not hundreds — of animal and human studies have shown that olive oil has major benefits for the heart. In fact, the evidence is strong enough to recommend that people who have or are at a high risk of developing heart disease include plenty of extra virgin olive oil in their diets.
Olive oil may be one of the healthiest foods you can eat for heart health. It reduces blood pressure and inflammation, protects LDL particles from oxidation, and may help prevent unwanted blood clotting.
Other health benefits of extra virgin olive oil (Evoo)
Although olive oil has mostly been studied for its effects on heart health, its consumption has also been associated with a number of other health benefits.
Olive oil and cancer
Cancer is a common cause of death and characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells.
Studies have shown that people living in the Mediterranean countries have a fairly low risk of cancer, and some have speculated that olive oil has something to do with it. One potential contributor to cancer is oxidative damage due to harmful molecules called free radicals. However, extra virgin olive oil is high in antioxidants that reduce oxidative damage., 29Trusted Source).
The oleic acid in extra virgin olive oil is also highly resistant to oxidation and has been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source).
Many test-tube studies have observed that compounds in olive oil can help fight cancer at the molecular level (32, 33, 34Trusted Source). That said, controlled trials in humans have yet to study whether olive oil helps prevent cancer.
Extra Virgin Olive oil (Evoo) and Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the world’s most common neurodegenerative disease and a leading cause of dementia.
One feature of Alzheimer’s is a buildup of protein tangles called beta-amyloid plaques in certain neurons in the brain.
A study in mice observed that a substance in olive oil can help clear these plaques (35).
Additionally, a controlled study in humans showed that a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil improved brain function and reduced the risk of cognitive impairment (36Trusted Source). Preliminary evidence suggests that olive oil can help fight cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, although human studies need to confirm this.
Can you cook with extra virgin olive oil (Evoo)?
During cooking, fatty acids can oxidize, meaning they react with oxygen and become damaged. The double bonds in fatty acid molecules are mostly responsible for this. For this reason, saturated fats (no double bonds) are resistant to high heat, while polyunsaturated fats (many double bonds) are sensitive and become damaged.
The nutritional info of olive oil, which contains mostly monounsaturated fatty acids (only one double bond), is fairly resistant to high heat. In one study, researchers heated extra virgin olive oil to 356°F (180°C) for 36 hours. The oil was highly resistant to damage (37Trusted Source). Another study used olive oil for deep-frying, and it took 24–27 hours for it to reach damage levels that were deemed harmful (38Trusted Source). Overall, olive oil seems to be very safe even for cooking at a fairly high heat. In essence good for the bodies nutritional needs.
The bottom line
Olive oil is super healthy and very nutritious. For those who have heart disease or are at a high risk of developing it, olive oil is most definitely a superfood. However, be sure to purchase extra virgin olive oil that hasn’t been diluted with cheaper oils. The benefits of this wonderful fat are among the few things that most people in nutrition agree upon.
About Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For health conscious, discerning food lovers across all cultures and culinary backgrounds, Morocco Gold is a natural, unfiltered, ultra premium, polyphenol rich extra virgin olive oil, whose exquisite taste and health enhancing qualities are guaranteed by our rigorous testing, provenance and authenticity, and strict adherence to single estate sourcing, with no blending or mixing.
Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
What is extra virgin olive oil good for : how is using Morocco Gold going to boost my nutrition?
Incredibly versatile, Morocco Gold is one of the best and most nutritious extra virgin olive oils for cooking and salad dressing. Here is some nutritional info: It is high in polyphenols and cold pressed within 24 hours of harvesting.
Morocco Gold shows why extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat on earth. It can also be used as an extra virgin olive oil for hair and as an extra virgin olive oil for skin.
Our gold award winning extra virgin olive oil represents the very best extra virgin olive oil.
The oil is produced from olives grown in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where the unique micro-climate and geology provides ideal conditions for olive growing. Morocco Gold combines centuries of local cultivation and harvesting knowledge, with our rigorous traceability and quality assurance procedures to bring what is locally considered a ‘noble food’ to international markets.
The olive oil is produced from the Picholine Marocaine olive. Our olives are hand-picked early in the harvesting season when the fruit is young and first cold pressed within 24 hours of picking. Some more olive oil nutritional info: There is no mixing or blending with other oils to ensure genuine extra virgin quality.
As a result this gives Morocco Gold it’s distinctive green fruitiness, hints of sweet almonds, fresh turf and a hint of herbs. It has the distinctive ‘pepperiness’ (not too aggressive) of a fine extra virgin olive oil which as a consequence gives Morocco Gold a clean, well balanced finish.
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