Can a traditional olive oil have pain and inflammation reducing effects similar to over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, vicodin, and norcos?
Scientists from Italy, Spain, the U.S. and Australia have discovered that Extra Virgin Olive Oil can in fact provide significant health benefits, including the ability to help reduce pain and inflammation.
A Sacred Oil
From ancient Greece to the Holy Land, Olive Oil has been cherished. Celebrated as sacred in Greek mythology, the olive branch symbolizes peace in Hellenic culture. Evidence of this ancient petroleum was discovered in 1901 at the"Room of the Olive Press" at Knossos on the island of Crete from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. From there olives were pressed into oil over 4,500 years ago and the olive oil was exported to North Africa and mainland Greece.
Cultivation of olive trees spread around the Mediterranean where Olive Oil prospered along with many early civilizations. The bible speaks of Olive Oil, and it has been utilized by both Christianity and Judaism as a sacred anointing oil.
Today, the major manufacturers of Olive Oil are Spain, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco and Syria. Nonetheless, the rising popularity of Olive Oil can be viewed from the spread of cultivation around the world to countries such as the U.S., Chile, and South Africa. Australia has also come to be an energetic Olive Oil manufacturer and exporter.
Eating Healthy With Olive Oil
Additionally, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can contribute nutritional support in the fight against an assortment of health issues such as:
Arthritis
Cardiovascular disease
High cholesterol
And in pain management
A research study from Spain has actually proven that higher Olive Oil intake is associated with leaner body weight (an important factor in prevention of chronic conditions). Another study from the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain looked at how diets including olive oil might offer protection against depression:
Bad Fats Linked to Depression
Natural Painkiller Discovered in Olive Oil
Recent research has identified the antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is only found in extra-virgin olive oil. Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, in Philadelphia, found that oleocanthal in olive oil has a potency strikingly similar to that of the drug ibuprofen in inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Considering that the side effects of common pain relieving drugs, finding a nutritional way to decrease pain and inflammation might be an incredible solution for individuals suffering from pain.
Research Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Modern doctors have recently researched the consumption of Olive Oil from the perspective of issues such as cardiovascular health, cancer and wellbeing.
With respect to anti-aging they noticed: The recent research quite often encourage that the Mediterranean diet, based in Virgin Olive Oil, is compatible with healthier ageing and increased longevity.
Consumption of olive oil has been associated with:
Reduction of total cholesterol and an increase in the high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), which has a protective effect on blood vessels.
Increased sensitivity of cells to insulin, which helps to prevent the Metabolic Syndrome. Preventing Metabolic Syndrome is important, because the syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease.
Potent Antioxidant -- The Ability of Olive Oil
Phenolic compounds are powerful antioxidants found in Virgin and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These compounds give unrefined Olive Oils their specific flavors and higher degree of stability.
Studies indicate these chemicals may be able to:
Switch off the activity of enzymes that produce the type of inflammation that causes coronary heart disease.
Decrease production of inflammatory chemicals called thromboxanes and leukotrienes.
Decrease the creation of the very damaging form of cholesterol, oxidized LDL cholesterol.
University of South Australia researchers note that compounds from the olive have been found to be antimicrobial against various bacteria.
Furthermore, Olive Oil is just the beginning of anti-inflammatory foods.
Enjoying Olive Oil
The amount of olive oil associated with defense against inflammation is simply two teaspoons a day, which is easy to achieve. A slight amount of Olive Oil can make a simple salad dressing, and a little olive oil can also be utilized for dipping bread, instead of butter. Additionally, Olive Oil can also be utilized in baking.
