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Olive Oil And Health

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Olive oil is very healthy oil. A correct and balanced nutrition necessarily contains olive oil on a daily basis. The essence and taste, which gives to all foods, is unique. Just like all oils, olive oil as well, must be used in moderation. The oils contain fatty acids, which can be separated in three kinds: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The animal fats contain mostly saturated fat acids, the seed oils polyunsaturated, while the olive oil contains mostly monounsaturated fat acids up to 83%. The oleic acid, the main component of olive oil, comprises such a monounsaturated fat acid. 2

Olive oil is almost unique among oils in that it can be consumed in the crude form without refining. This has the effect of conserving all its vitamins, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients. Cell membranes contain fatty acids that are highly susceptible to free radical damage. This damage produces lipid peroxides that can kill the cell. Real olive oil contains polyphenols, vitamin E, and other natural antioxidants that prevent this damage. 12

Oleic Acid Olive oil contains a high percentage of the monounsaturated oleic acit. Thus, it is a natural monounsaturated oil. This particular fatty acid reduces LDL-cholesterol, which is responsible for the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque, and increases the HDL-cholesterol. The latter is removed from arterial cells. 27

The main component of olive oil plays a fundamental role in the development of the nervous system of newborn babies, as the formation of the myelinic membrane requires saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet. In this context, it is worth mentioning that breast milk is very rich in oleic acid. 46

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid. 1

Olive oil is an integral part of the “Mediterranean diet” which 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. Olive oil can quickly satisfy hunger and lead to fewer total calories ingested at mealtime. Studies suggest that olive oil decreases rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer. It is unclear if any single component of olive oil is responsible for these health benefits or if it is a combination of olive oil and a diet high in vegetables, fruit and fish. 42

In recent years, medical researchers have focused their attention on the virtues of the Mediterranean diet and especially on olive oil. In a more detailed examination, this ancestral liquid has proven to be something more than a monounsaturated fat. It is also a rich source of antioxidants. 25

Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated. 1

Because of its high content of oleic acid, it is also the oil best tolerated by the stomach. Ever since ancient times, olive oil has been believed to have a beneficial effect on hyperchloridic gastritis and gastric ulcers, although obviously, in cases such of these, olive oil is not a substitute for medications. Two small spoonfuls of olive oil on an empty stomach can help in cases of chronic constipation. 17

Olive oil is highly recommended during childhood, because of the balance of essential linoleic and linolenic fatty acids which is similar to that found in breast milk. It is also good for bone development and mineralisation. 17

Olive oil is also very suitable for including in elderly people’s diets, as its high natural antioxidant content provides an excellent defence mechanism against the oxidation process. This type of oil also appears to have a beneficial effect on bone calcification, making it just as suitable for the elderly as during the growth period. 17

Subsequent investigations have demonstrated that monounsaturated fats are better than polyunsaturated because they reduce the low-density lipoproteins (LPL or harmful cholesterol) without affecting the protective high-density lipoproteins (HDL or good cholesterol). Apart from the beneficial effect of the olive oil in reducing LDL, oleic acid is also outstanding in reducing the probability of blood clots forming in the arteries. 25

The accumulation of free radicals, as a result of oxidation in the body, causes serious problems on human health. More specific, free radicals destroy the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the membranes and the DNA (Fig 3), which facilitates the aging process, causes damage to the liver and even cancer formation. The latter, present in significant amounts in olive oil, prevents the human�s cell destruction. Greeks and Italians, who consume large quantities of virgin olive oil, intake almost 25gr of phenols per day, which is a significant amount for preventing oxidation. 27

Olive oil also plays an important role in diabetes. Research has demonstrated that people who include olive oil in their diet have a better control over their diabetes and lower levels of some fats in the blood, when compared with diets rich in carbohydrates normally recommended for this type of diabetes. 25

Fatty Acids: Olive Oil is a complex compound made of fatty acids, vitamins, volatile components, water soluble components and microscopic bits of olive. Primary fatty acids are Oleic and linoleic acid. Oleic acid is monosaturated and makes up 55-85% of olive oil. Linoleic is polyunsaturated and makes up about 9%. 42

The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.

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