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Olive Oil: Laudable in Every Drop
A Recent research has provided firm proof that a
Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, is not only generally healthy,
but that consuming olive oil can actually help lower harmful LDL
cholesterol. Olive oil contains
antioxidants that discourage artery clogging and chronic diseases, including
cancer.
The major fatty acids in olive oil triacylglycerols are:
-
Oleic Acid (C18:1), a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It makes up 55
to 83% of olive oil.
-
Linoleic Acid (C18:2), a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid that makes
up about 3.5 to 21% of olive oil.
-
Palmitic Acid (C16:0), a saturated fatty acid that makes up 7.5 to 20%
of olive oil.
-
Stearic Acid (C18:0), a saturated fatty acid that makes up 0.5 to 5% of
olive oil.
-
Linolenic Acid (C18:3)(specifically alpha-Linolenic Acid), a
polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that makes up 0 to 1.5% of olive oil.
-
Triacylglycerols are normally composed of a mixture of three fatty
acids. Most prevalent in olive oil is the oleic-oleic-oleic (OOO)
triacylglycerol, followed, in order of incidence, by palmitic-oleic-oleic (POO),
then oleic-oleic-linoleic (OOL), then palmitic-oleic-linoleic (POL), then
stearic-oleic-oleic (SOO), and so on.
Olive oil contains more oleic acid and less linoleic and linolenic acids
than other vegetable oils, that is, more
monounsaturated than
polyunsaturated fatty acids. This renders olive oil more resistant to
oxidation because generally, the greater the number of double bonds in the fatty
acid, the more unstable and easily broken down by heat, light, and other factors
the oil is.
From a nutritional standpoint, all types of olive oil are approximately the
same, with 80%
monounsaturated, 14%
saturated, 9%
polyunsaturated fats on average.
Health Benefits
-
 Olive
oil is rich in
vitamins
and
minerals like Vitamin A,
B-1, B-2, C, D, E and K and in iron. Vitamin E (a
natural antioxidant): Olives have 1.6mg, or 2.3 IU (International Units) per
tablespoon. One tablespoon provides 8% of RDA for vitamin E. According to the
USDA , vegetable oils such as olive oil are the second best source of Vitamin K
.
-
Acts as a mild laxative, if a spoon or two is taken with lemon or
coffee, it prevents constipation without irritating the intestinal tract.
Because movement through the
digestive system is slowed during constipation, many essential nutrients
will not be sufficiently absorbed and used. This mal-absorption can be
further aggravated by the use of laxatives. Olive oil contains high levels
of essential vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, the powerful
antioxidants known as polyphenols, and omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty
acids, which can help replenish the nutrients lost.
-
Olive oil is a good tonic, with specific benefits for people suffering
from
heart disease. Olive oil is cholesterol-free. Cholesterol is not
entirely harmful; it is an essential building block for cell membranes,
nerve fiber coverings, vitamin D and sex hormones. The body manufactures all
the cholesterol it needs, so any cholesterol in foods we eat is excessive.
Excess cholesterol causes a gradual accumulation of fatty deposits and
connective tissue, known as plaque, along the walls of blood vessels.
Eventually, plaque builds up, narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow,
in this way increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
-
Time tested "beauty oil". The body's cells incorporate the
valuable fatty acids from the oil, making arteries more supple and
skin more lustrous. Whether applied to face or body, olive oil will
penetrate deep into the skin and provide a long-lasting shield of
moisture to keep skin smooth and supple. Used either as a night cream or
daily moisturizer, it is best applied to damp skin, when water can help
reduce any feeling of greasiness. We recommend using extra virgin olive
oil. Extra virgin olive oil makes the perfect, simple solution for
dry nails and cuticles. Simply rub a few drops into the cuticle area and
around the nail. Cuticles stay plump and moist, and nails respond with a
natural shine.
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The amount of oleic acid in olive oil is about the same as that found in
a mother's milk and is thus the best growth supplement for infants..
-
Drunk before a meal, olive oil protects the stomach from ulcers.
It is also effective in treating urinary tract infections and gall bladder
problems.
-
It's regular consumption accelerates brain development. Studies
suggest that taking supplements of vitamins C and E can prevent the risk of
Alzheimer's disease and slow the progression of
memory
loss.
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Olive Oil helps Fight Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass, which in
turn causes the architecture of bone tissue to become fragile. This can then
increase the possibly of fractures, making even the slightest of knocks
potentially fatal for sufferers. The disease is recognized as being
particularly prevalent among postmenopausal women for whom a decrease in the
production of estrogen then weakens bone structures and most commonly
affects the ribs, wrists, and hips. For this study, scientists were
particularly interested in how a supplementation of olive oil could be used
to help women in this category. Tests were carried out on rats showing
comparable conditions to female human menopause, with one group being
treated orally with olive oil. At the end of the experiment, blood samples
were collected and tested for levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrates. The results found
that that rats not treated with olive oil showed a significant decrease in
calcium levels and a significant increase in plasma ALP, MDA, and nitrates
levels.
-
Olive oil dissolves clots in capillaries, has been found to lower the
degree of absorption of edible fats, and consequently slows down the
aging process.
In a recent study, Spanish researchers from the Lipids and Atherosclerosis
Research Unit of the
Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, discovered that a diet rich
in olive oil or other monounsaturated fats could improve the arterial
function of elderly individuals.
-
Reduced Inflammation in Cancer patients: The phytonutrient in
olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing
inflammation, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer and its
recurrence. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, long
thought to minimize cancer risk.
Producing high quality Extra Virgin olive oil
requires the producer to reach perfection in every stage of the process, as well
as be fortunate with Mother Nature. This is often much more expensive for
producers to accomplish which is why some excellent extra virgin olive oils can
be so pricey.
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