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olive oil...life style |
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 -Olive oil is an integral part of the "Mediterranean diet" -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. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the few oils that can be eaten without chemical processing. (Nearly every other vegetable oil has not been detoxified and refined with steam and solvents). Fresh pressed olive oil can be eaten immediately and retains the natural flavors, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other healthy products of the ripe olive fruit. Most doctors advocate lowering total fat and calories in your diet, and substituting butter, margarine and tropical oils with healthy fats like olive oil. Can Olive Oil Help Prevent Heart Attacks? A recent study looked at the basic disease process behind heart attacks; the development of blood clots which block the coronary arteries. Several studies in Mediterranean countries have shown that the incidence of heart disease is lower than would be expected by blood cholesterol levels. Many feel that this discrepancy can be explained by the high amount of olive oil in the diet in this region. But what is it in olive oil which lowers heart attack risk? Researchers Larsen LF, Jespersen J, and Marckmann P at the Centre for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark decided to see if it was due to olive oil affecting the blood's basic ability to form clots. Less effective clotting would mean fewer heart attacks. The researchers compared the effects of virgin olive oil with those of rapeseed and sunflower oils on blood coagulation factor VII, which is a key factor in blood clot formation. In this study eighteen healthy young men consumed diets enriched with olive oil, sunflower oil, or rapeseed oil for a period of 3 wks. Levels of Factor VII were significantly lower in those who ate olive oil compared to sunflower or rapeseed (canola) oil. The study's conclusion was that olive oil may lower the procoagulant tendency of fatty meals which could explain the low incidence of heart attacks in Mediterranean countries. 3/2000 Olive Oil and a Greek diet lowers cancer Oliver Spits Sausalito, California - An article from the September issue of Hippocrates magazine summarized the findings from a new study out of the University of Ste.-Etienne. 605 men and women who had suffered a heart attack were put on one of two diets. One was the American Heart Association's (AHA) diet which permitted meat, cream and butter. "The other half ate like Greeks, consuming less of those items and more fruits, vegetables, cereals, beans, and fish, as well as olive oil and a canola oil margarine". The study was designed to look at the effect of diet on heart disease but found that after four years the "Greek" group had less cancer, just two new cases of cancer verses 12 in the AHA diet group. This is a small study and needs to be followed up with a much bigger one, but the results are very surprising. | Return Home | What's New | Events Schedule | On-line Catalog | Great Links | FAQ Page | Contact Us | Download Page | |
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