- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
How To Use Olive Oil As Medicine
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Olive oil has been around for centuries and has a major place in the Mediterranean diet, where it seems as if everything is dipped, soaked, or cooked in olive oil. With its very high levels of monounsaturated fats, many studies show that this oil is linked to lower risks of heart disease. Other studies show that the powerful antioxidants in olive oil improve the regulation of cholesterol in the blood and reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) as well as having anti-inflammatory compounds.
There’s no question whether or not the old adage “All foods are medicine and all medicines are food” is answered by olive oil. There is no denying that this oil is both medicine and food.
Olive oil is not only good for your insides, but the outside of the body as well. This oil is common in the cosmetic industry, soap making, even in pharmaceuticals! The phenolic antioxidants in olive oil, terpenoids and squalene, are known anti-cancer agents. The oleic acid in olive oil prevents chronic inflammation and reduces the amount of damage that free radicals can cause in the body.
Extra virgin olive oil is the best extraction method and produces the highest quality oil. Extra virgin oil is made by first crushing the olive fruit through cold pressing with no added chemicals. Virgin olive oil is second choice. It is obtained through a second pressing of the fruit.
This wonderful oil from Mother Nature has numerous health benefits and can prevent or cure many diseases. Keep reading and find out all the benefits you can get from using olive oil.
1. Relief from Depression
One study done in Spain showed that people who consumed hydrogenated fats, which are found in most processed foods, had as much as a 48 percent risk of suffering from depression. This same study also showed that a higher intake of polyunsaturated fats, as well as olive oil, was shown to lower the risk of developing depression.
2. Prevention and Relief from Gall Stones
Olive oil is known to aid in the digestive process and improve bowel movements. Many people claim that consuming a tablespoon of olive oil first thing in the morning on an empty stomach will stop the pain of gall stones or can prevent them from forming all together.
Continue to Page 2
Photo credit: bigstock.com
3. Lowers Risk of Diabetes
The scientific journal Diabetes Care published a study that showed that consuming a Mediterranean diet, which uses plenty of olive oil, can reduce type II diabetes by more than 50 percent. This is due to the high levels of monounsaturated fats that olive oil contains the same type of fat that many seeds and nuts also have. Monounsaturated fats are vital in reducing the risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Eating a diet low in saturated fats, but rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and other types of healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, and coconut oil, is the most effective means of controlling or limiting the effects of diabetes. This type of diet has been shown in numerous studies to improve blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
4. Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Compounds
Chronic inflammation is not your body’s friend, so keeping it in check is vital for good health. Olive oil contains powerful phenols that have super anti-inflammatory compounds and its antimicrobial agents will help keep pathogens at bay.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
The Archives of Internal Medicine journal published a study which showed that persons who take high blood pressure medications may be able to reduce those medicines if they use extra-virgin olive oil (consuming about 30 to 40 grams daily) rather than other types of vegetable oils or lard.
6. Fights Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a serious condition where the bones lose density and weaken, enabling them to break or fracture very easily. The word ‘osteoporosis’ literally means ‘porous bones.’ This disease is sometimes called a silent disease because most people are unaware that they have it until they break a bone.
Madrid University in Spain conducted a study which found that people who consumed higher levels of olive oil had higher levels of a protein made by bone forming cells called osteocalcin. Having high levels of this protein generally indicates stronger, denser bones.
Continue to Page 3
Photo credit: bigstock.com
7. Reduces Heart Problems
With as much as 70 percent of the fat in olive oil being healthy monounsaturated fat, it’s no wonder that consuming olive oil has been linked to lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and lower risk of heart disease, blood clots, and stroke. Consuming extra virgin olive oil, which is very rich with almost 40 antioxidant chemicals, can help to reduce the oxidation effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Find out more remedies to lower bad cholesterol.
8. Slows the Aging Process
Olive oil, which is super high in those healthy antioxidants everyone wants, can slow the natural aging process. This is one reason why you find so many cosmetics, lotions, and personal care items that contain olive oil. This oil does amazing things for the skin, which will get a natural glow from this super moisturizing oil. Read more about anti-aging oils.
9. Improves Metabolism
Olive oil can boost the metabolism, encourage good bone structure, and stimulate the brain development of children. Olive oil is high in vitamin E, which is very important for the development and maintenance of the brain. Although it does not appear that olive oil improves the metabolism enough for a person to lose substantial amounts of weight, it can be beneficial in supporting a weight loss program that includes exercise and a healthy diet with plenty of fish, organic vegetables, and olive oil.
SEE ALSO: The Truth Behind Olive Oil
10. Prevents Cancer
We saved the best for last! Perhaps one of the biggest benefits to consuming olive oil is that it can protect us from breast cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer. There have been numerous studies showing that consuming a healthy diet using olive oil as the main source of fats can considerably lower the risk of developing these types of cancer. Scientists believe that this might be attributed to the oleic acid, the predominant monounsaturated fatty acid that is found in olive oil, which protects the body from cancer. However, olive oil also contains many other compounds that are known to fight cancer such as flavonoid, polyphenols, antioxidants, and squalene. In fact, it’s the squalene that is believed the have the power to protect the skin from cancer by reducing melanomas.
It’s clear to see that no matter how you want to consume it, olive oil has a whole lot of medicinal power going for it.
References:
