Olive Oil
Health Benefits

Olive Oil's Secret: Boost Heart, Weight Loss & Longevity

| Modified on Jun 25, 2024
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Olive Oil

Olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, has been celebrated for centuries for its versatility in cooking and its myriad health benefits. Extracted from the fruit of the olive tree, this natural oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and numerous nutrients, making it a powerful ally for overall health and wellness. In this article, we will explore the extensive health benefits of olive oil, emphasizing its positive impacts on heart health, weight management, and more.

1. Heart Health

Olive oil is renowned for its cardiovascular benefits. Rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, it helps reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood cholesterol levels, lowering bad LDL cholesterol, and increasing good HDL cholesterol. Additionally, the antioxidants in olive oil, such as polyphenols, protect the blood vessels and maintain arterial health. Regular consumption of olive oil can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

2. Antioxidant Properties

One of olive oil's most compelling attributes is its high antioxidant content. These powerful substances, including vitamin E, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Antioxidants in olive oil have been linked to anti-inflammatory properties, cancer prevention, and a decreased risk of chronic diseases like Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes.

3. Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Chronic inflammation is a key factor in the development of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and arthritis. Olive oil contains bioactive compounds, such as oleocanthal, which have been shown to have effects similar to ibuprofen in reducing inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect can be particularly beneficial in reducing the severity of arthritis symptoms and decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Weight Management

Contrary to the myth that fats lead to weight gain, olive oil can help manage weight. Being a good source of monounsaturated fats, it can promote satiety and help regulate weight. Studies have found that diets rich in olive oil, as part of a balanced diet, are not associated with weight gain and may even aid in weight loss by promoting a healthier metabolism.

5. Digestive Health

Olive oil is gentle on the digestive system and can help maintain a healthy digestive tract. It aids in absorbing vitamins and minerals and can help prevent constipation. Furthermore, its antibacterial properties can combat harmful bacteria in the stomach, promoting gut health.

6. Skin and Hair Health

The benefits of olive oil extend beyond internal health; it's also a natural beauty booster. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, olive oil can help to moisturize the skin, protect against premature aging, and maintain elasticity. When applied to hair, it adds shine and strength, reducing the impact of environmental stressors.

FAQ

Can Olive Oil Improve Heart Health?

Yes, olive oil can significantly improve heart health. Its high content of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants helps to lower bad LDL cholesterol levels while increasing good HDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Incorporating olive oil into your diet can be a heart-healthy choice.

How Does Olive Oil Aid in Weight Loss?

Olive oil aids in weight loss by promoting satiety and boosting metabolism. Despite being high in calories, its healthy fats can help you feel fuller longer, preventing overeating. Studies suggest that a diet rich in olive oil, as part of a balanced diet, does not lead to weight gain and may support weight loss efforts.

What Are the Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Olive Oil?

Olive oil contains compounds like oleocanthal, which have anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen. These properties can help reduce chronic inflammation, lowering the risk of diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Can Olive Oil Prevent Chronic Diseases?

Yes, olive oil's antioxidants can help prevent chronic diseases by fighting oxidative stress and inflammation. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, regular consumption of olive oil has been linked to a lower risk of chronic conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Is Olive Oil Good for Digestive Health?

Olive oil is beneficial for digestive health as it aids in the absorption of nutrients and can help prevent constipation. Its antibacterial properties also support a healthy digestive system by combating harmful bacteria in the gut.

How Does Olive Oil Enhance Skin and Hair Health?

Olive oil is a natural moisturizer that can enhance skin and hair health. Its rich content of vitamins and antioxidants helps to hydrate the skin, protect against aging, and maintain skin elasticity. When applied to hair, olive oil adds shine and strength, protecting it from environmental damage.

Can I Cook with Olive Oil at High Temperatures?

Extra virgin olive oil is best used at low to medium cooking temperatures or added to foods after cooking to preserve its health benefits and flavor. While it has a lower smoke point than other oils, it is still suitable for sautéing, baking, and roasting at moderate temperatures.

What's the Difference Between Extra Virgin and Regular Olive Oil?

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality, made from pure, cold-pressed olives without heat or chemicals. It retains more of the natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Regular olive oil, sometimes labeled as pure or light, is often a blend, including processed oils, offering fewer health benefits than extra virgin olive oil.

How Can Olive Oil Benefit Diabetics?

Olive oil can be highly beneficial for diabetics as it helps regulate blood sugar levels. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil can improve insulin sensitivity, aiding in better glucose management. Including olive oil in a diabetes care plan can help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Does Olive Oil Have Properties to Fight Depression?

Emerging research suggests that olive oil's healthy fats, particularly its oleic acid, may positively affect mood and could potentially lower the risk of depression. Olive oil's anti-inflammatory effects also promote brain health, which is crucial for mood regulation.

Can Olive Oil Reduce the Risk of Stroke?

Yes, olive oil can reduce the risk of stroke. Studies have shown that individuals who consume olive oil regularly have a lower risk of stroke than those who do not. This benefit is attributed to olive oil's ability to improve blood cholesterol levels and antioxidant properties.

Is Olive Oil Beneficial for Bone Health?

Olive oil may contribute to stronger bones. Its polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, have been linked to improved bone density. Regular consumption of olive oil could be beneficial in preventing bone-related diseases like osteoporosis.

How Does Olive Oil Support Healthy Aging?

Olive oil supports healthy aging through its rich antioxidant content. It fights oxidative stress and inflammation, factors that accelerate aging. By protecting cells from damage, olive oil can help maintain youthful skin, cognitive function, and overall health as we age.

Can Olive Oil Help in Preventing Alzheimer's Disease?

There is promising evidence to suggest that olive oil can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. The antioxidants and polyphenols in olive oil may protect against cognitive decline by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer's.

Is Olive Oil Safe for People with High Cholesterol?

Olive oil is safe and beneficial for people with high cholesterol. Its high monounsaturated fat content helps lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol, making it an excellent dietary choice for managing cholesterol levels effectively.

What is the Best Way to Store Olive Oil?

The best way to store olive oil is in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade its quality. It's also advisable to use olive oil within a year of opening to enjoy its full flavor and health benefits.

Conclusion

Olive oil's health benefits are extensive and varied, from enhancing heart health and combating chronic diseases to supporting weight management and improving skin and hair health. Incorporating olive oil into your daily diet, particularly extra virgin olive oil can be a simple yet effective way to boost your overall health and well-being. As with any dietary change, moderation is vital, and it's important to combine olive oil with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle for optimal benefits.

Embrace the richness of olive oil and make it a cornerstone of your diet to unlock its myriad health benefits. Whether used in cooking, as a salad dressing, or a natural beauty remedy, olive oil is a versatile and invaluable addition to your daily routine.

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Olive Oil Health Benefits

Posted by Gracie (Nottingham) on 03/10/2024

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, COLD PRESSED, ORGANIC - GROWN ON VOLCANIC SOIL, EARLY HARVEST

I've just purchased a bottle of the above oil, and it didn't come cheap! I received it three days ago, and been taking a tablespoonful every morning before breakfast and one last thing at night, so I'm unable to comment on its effectiveness.

The taste is not unpleasant, and mixed with some apple cider vinegar would make an excellent salad dressing. And, of course, it can be poured over or added to other dishes.

The Mediterranean diet is universally acknowledged as being one of the healthiest diets, primarily because of the recommended high levels of fruit, vegetables, fish, and olive oil. Up to the present I've followed a healthy diet, but the virgin olive oil that I've used has come from a local supermarket, however I cannot claim that I'm bursting with health. But that may be due to my advanced years!

The above oil claims numerous health benefits, such as preventing cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight loss, to name a few. So my question is, has anyone taken it and derived any benefits? Or have I been persuaded to make an unnecessary purchase through a clever advertising ploy?

>
Replied by HisJewel
(New York)
03/11/2024

Greetings Gracie Nottingham,

I knew a lady, whose heart was so bad she couldn't even walk up a flight of steps. She was a young woman when she had that condition. She started taking a spoon of olive oil every day. She didn't say what size spoon. She was healed of that condition and lived to be a very active old lady. I would run into her visiting people at hospitals and going shopping alone in her upper senior years, and she had an excellent memory.

HisJewel

>
Replied by RB
(Somewhere in Europe)
03/11/2024
84 posts

Edited 3/12/24 at 2:32 pm
Gracie, To answer your question, yes I have taken up to 15 tablespoons of extra virgin oil (EVOO), per day, every day in the last 6 months. However, besides the needed calories, I do not think that I have derived any additional health benefit from EVOO.

These days I buy LARD: Advantage #1 is the more reasonable price. Advantage #2 is the lack of trans fats. Advantage #3 is the taste, if it is combined with Himalayan salt.

You are right. Olive oil is well-advertised, so we keep getting persuaded to make many unnecessary purchases through clever advertising ploys.

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Gracie
(UK)
03/14/2024

RB: Thank you for your very interesting comments on Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil. Fifteen tablespoonsful of olive oil a day is a lot, and you obviously did not derive any benefits from it. I'd be interested to learn the outcome of your transitioning over to lard, butter, etc. When I was young growing up in the UK, olive oil was not available to the average family, and we were fed beef dripping on toast with a sprinkling of salt, chips cooked in animal fats, and yet many survived to live long fulfilling lives.

It has not been long enough for me to say whether the extra virgin olive oil is successful, but so far I've not noticed even a miniscule amount of improvement. The search will go on!

Best wishes.

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RD
(Somewhere in Europe)
04/06/2024
84 posts

Gracie, How are you doing? Thank you for your response.

One month has gone by, and today I am positive that I have fully transitioned to lard.

I transitioned to lard shortly after one of my bottles of olive oil from Italy broke in a shopping bag, and after a messy clean-up that was an unpleasant experience.

I transitioned to lard shortly after I switched from Himalayan salt to refined a sea salt from Italy.

My last bottle of olive oil was Villa Chiara, Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva from Firenze, Italia.

I transitioned to lard because I am not afraid of animal fats, saturated fats and cholesterol.

I enjoy butter and other animal fats, because I believe a high-fat diet is the secret to a healthy life.

I believe saturated fat is wrongly demonized when, actually, saturated fat is good for you.

Further, I believe saturated fat “does not clog the arteries”. Example: My arteries are 99% free of obstruction, after I have been eating at least 10 egg yolks per day, every day, since 2010.

Further, I transitioned to lard, because I believe cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease; in other words, cholesterol levels do not matter, and statins are not necessary at all.

I believe the greatest threat to our hearts and vascular systems comes from sugar -- not from cholesterol or saturated fat and animal fats like lard, meat, fish and cheese.

I transitioned from olive oil to lard, shortly after I found a lard product that tasted better than the previous lard product I tried before.

Sometimes I worry about dietary nitrates. But, in this case, it does not seem to be an issue, as the food label on this lard product says, "Ingredients: pork bacon" as its only ingredient.

Tonight I ate some of this lard with sardines, and it was a fully enjoyable meal. For flavor, I added to it only a few grains of refined sea salt.

I believe -- as opposed to olive oil -- lard, or butter, would be a better choice.

However, it is not easy -- is not it? -- to go against the advice of the WHO, and many other institutions and authority figures... and we somehow get persuaded to make many unnecessary olive oil purchases through clever advertising ploys.

Gracie, my question to you is, what do you think, have you derived any benefit from extra virgin olive oil? And if you are transitioning to lard, butter, or something, then how is that transition going?

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anthony
(london)
04/08/2024

Hi RD,

Why did you transition from himalayan salt to refined sea salt?

Thank you

>
RD
(Somewhere in Europe)
04/08/2024
84 posts

Hi Anthony, How are you doing? Thank you for your question. Generally speaking, Himalayan salt is, or appears to be, healthier than any other salt. However, over the last few months I have learned to avoid it, as it gives me a dry eye. https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/natural-remedies-for-dry-eyes.html#ahs

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Kim L.
(Kansas City, MO)
06/25/2024

For informative purposes, while I completely agree that Saturated Fat from Animals is completely necessary....Unsaturated Fats (Cold Pressed/Non-Hydrogenated) from vegetables (ex: corn/Arachidonic Acid), plants (ex: Safflower Oil), fruits (ex: Olive, Palm, Coconut), nuts (ex: Sunflower Oil) are absolutely necessary too and is known by the rarely heard of name of Vitamin F.

These Unsaturated fatty acids are important for tissue respiration vital organs, making it easier for oxygen to be transported by the bloodstream to all cells, tissues and organs.

Vitamin F helps maintain resilience and lubrication of all cells and combines with protein and cholesterol to form to form living membranes that hold the body cells together.

Vitamin F regenerates the skin!! A lack of Unsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin F, could cause ulcerations on the lower limbs.

All of the above that I have just stated is from the book, "The Ultimate Healing System" by Donald Lepore N.D.

Additionally, he says he has found in his own research Vitamin F to be the antidote to a wheat and corn allergy.

From much of my own research, the hardest part is finding an uncompromised/unadulterated/unrefined/non-hydrogenated oil of all the types, whether it be animal saturated fat or plant unsaturated fat as listed above.

Researching the best of the best is extremely time consuming and exhausting. According to the renowned, Dr. Mercola, much of the Olive Oil and EVOO on the supermarket shelves today has been mixed with other oils all of which can easily become rancid when on the shelves too long and when not properly stored from light and extreme heat.

To date the best EVOO I have personally found comes from a single origin farm, Ellora Farms in Messara Valley Crete Greece. I have been buying their EVOO for 2 to 3 years now (I purchase in bulk in the tin cans as it lasts the longest) and am currently and completely satisfied with their EVOO. Note: Olive Oil has some of the highest content of Vitamin E other than Natural Red Palm Oil.

As always, anything can change and become compromised in these ever changing times.

If you're looking for a non-hydrogenated reputable source of coconut oil you may want to look into Healthy Traditions previously known as Tropical Traditions. Hopefully, they have stayed true to their tradition of non-hydrogenated coconut oil. That is where I purchase mine.

EVOO & Coconut Oil have some of the highest amounts of Monounsaturated Fats (MUFA's) where most everything on the market is highest in Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFA's) which a disproportion reeks inflammatory havoc and disease on our bodies.

I hope this helps. I have spent YEARS reading, researching and trying to learn and improve my health and inflammatory conditions.