January 11, 2005
Olive Oil Reduces Cancer Risk
New medical findings on the benefits of olive oil
Although the benefits of olive oil have been touted for quite some time, scientists have now pinpointed the key component responsible for its therapeutic effects.
According to research conducted at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, oleic acid found in olive oil can block the activity of a cancer causing gene found in 30% of breast cancer patients.
This new discovery provides strong support to the long-held notion that a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and of course, olive oil, can reduce the risk of cancer as well as heart disease and other illnesses.
The exact mechanism by which oleic acid suppresses this breast cancer gene is unknown, but researchers are hoping to uncover more specific information in future studies.
This is certainly good news, but don't go pouring gallons of olive oil on all your dishes. As with everything else, use it in moderation for maximum health benefits...there is always fat and calories to worry about.
If you would like to incorporate olive oil into your diet, you are best off with extra virgin olive oil. It comes from the first pressing of the olives, which is done cold without heating and chemicals, and is therefore less processed than other varieties.
Extra virgin olive oil has higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants, in particular Vitamin E, and therefore provides the most health benefits, which can include lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and raising HDL (good) cholesterol, as well as providing other cardiovascular benefits.
So try extra virgin olive oil in your next dish, and reap the many therapeutic benefits of this natural extract.
Until next time, here's to your health!