References

1. Effects of an onion-olive oil maceration product containing essential ingredients of the Mediterranean diet on blood pressure and blood fluidity.

Mayer B, Kalus U, Grigorov A, Pindur G, Jung F, Radtke H, Bachmann K, Mrowietz C, Koscielny J, Wenzel E, Kiesewetter H. Arzneimittelforschung. 2001 Feb;51(2):104-11. Medizinische Fakultat, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin, Institut fur Transfusionsmedizin, Universitatsklinikum Charite, Berlin, Germany.

Twenty-four patients with arterial hypertension (WHO class I) received either 4 capsules of an onion-olive oil maceration product, containing essential ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, or placebo daily over a period of one week. In order to investigate the acute effect on arterial blood pressure, measurements were performed before and 5 h after the administration of the first dose of 4 capsules verum or placebo, respectively. For the evaluation of the long term effect further blood pressure measurements were performed after one week’s treatment with a daily dose of 4 capsules. After a wash-out phase of 2 weeks followed by a crossover, the second study phase, which was identical in design, was carried out. In addition patients were instructed to measure their blood pressure 4 times daily at home for the whole study period. Haemorheological parameters (platelet aggregation, erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity and haematocrit) were also determined at the measuring points mentioned above. The onion-olive oil maceration product led to a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. There was also a trend towards a decrease in diastolic blood pressure. The improved blood fluidity observed resulted from a decrease in haematocrit. All effects could be shown immediately and after one week’s administration.

Read about it on: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11258039

Used in:

• Benefits of Olive Oil – 7 Very Healthy Reasons to Turn to Olive Oil

2. The Surprising Skin Salvation in Your Kitchen

by Dr. Baumann

Olive oil is also one of the best, all-natural moisturizers. Now, researchers are learning about its anti-cancer properties, and their results are very exciting for skin health! Ancient Greeks bathed with olive oil, and its skincare benefits have held up to the scrutiny of science….

Read about it on: Artcile in Yahoo Skin Condition Section

Used in:

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits

3. The Effect of Polyphenols in Olive Oil on Heart Disease Risk Factors

Published in: Annals of Internal Medicine, 5 September 2006 | Volume 145 Issue 5 | Pages 333-341

Key Findings: Olive oil is more than a monounsaturated fat. Its phenolic content can also provide benefits for plasma lipid levels and oxidative damage.

Objective: To evaluate whether the phenolic content of olive oil further benefits plasma lipid levels and lipid oxidative damage compared with monounsaturated acid content.

Background: Virgin olive oils are richer in phenolic content than refined olive oil. Small, randomized, crossover, controlled trials on the antioxidant effect of phenolic compounds from real-life daily doses of olive oil in humans have yielded conflicting results. Little information is available on the effect of the phenolic compounds of olive oil on plasma lipid levels. No international study with a large sample size has been done.

Participants: 6 research centers from 5 European countries were involved. 200 healthy male volunteers took part to the clinical trial.

Study Description: In a crossover study, participants were randomly assigned to 3 sequences of daily administration of 25 mL of 3 olive oils. Olive oils had low (2.7 mg/kg of olive oil), medium (164 mg/kg), or high (366 mg/kg) phenolic content but were otherwise similar. Intervention periods were 3 weeks preceded by 2-week washout periods.

Results: A linear increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels was observed for low-, medium-, and high-polyphenol olive oil: mean change, 0.025 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.003 to 0.05 mmol/L), 0.032 mmol/L (CI, 0.005 to 0.05 mmol/L), and 0.045 mmol/L (CI, 0.02 to 0.06 mmol/L), respectively. Total cholesterol–HDL cholesterol ratio decreased linearly with the phenolic content of the olive oil. Triglyceride levels decreased by an average of 0.05 mmol/L for all olive oils. Oxidative stress markers decreased linearly with increasing phenolic content. Mean changes for oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were 1.21 U/L (CI, –0.8 to 3.6 U/L), –1.48 U/L (–3.6 to 0.6 U/L), and –3.21 U/L (–5.1 to –0.8 U/L) for the low-, medium-, and high-polyphenol olive oil, respectively.

Read about it on: The Effect of Polyphenols in Olive Oil on Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Randomized Trial

Used in:

• Benefits of Olive Oil – 7 Very Healthy Reasons to Turn to Olive Oil
• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Compounds Fight Breast Cancer

Extra virgin olive oil has shown to cut the risk of breast cancer in 20% to 30% of breast cancers that express the HER2 molecules, suggest studies by Javier A. Menendez, PhD, at the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Girona, Spain, and colleagues.

Read about it on: Olive oil vs. Breast Cancer