It has long been thought that the secret of the Mediterranean Diet is the Olive Oil. There are so many varieties, how do you know?  With all the varieties, there is one thing for sure. The fat in the Olive Oil is the monounsaturated fat. However, it may also be the plant polyphenols that have the other benefits. The extra-virgin olive oil is the type that holds the plant polyphenols. The non-virgin olive oils do not contain the plant polyphenols and they do NOT have the same benefits as the extra-virgin. Therefore, it can not be the high oleic acid intake in the monounsaturated oils that is the difference. It must be the polyphenols. 

 

In another study, subjects were given three different types of Olive Oils. The 3 different types were all exactly the same except they had progressive levels of polyphenols. All three of the groups increased the beneficial amount of High-Density Lipoproteins and all three decreased the plasma triglycerides. However, the researchers found that the most benefit came from the group that had the highest amount of polyphenols.

 

In July 2009, researchers presented data that showed artherosclerosis prevention models.  Norwegian researchers used a combination of marine Omega 3 oils and extra-virgin olive oil. There research showed a 54% reduction in the aorta and a 61% reduction in the aortic arch in female animals. Their conclusion was as follows: " Hence, dietary supplementation of such an oil mixture may be valuable in the prevention of atherosclerosis vascular disease."

 

There was another fantastic study that was published in Italy suggesting clearly that the polyphenols may slow or halt the progression of Type 2 Diabetes. Their focus was on the pancreatic hormone amylin. This is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas to help insulin regulate the blood sugars.  When amylin is not in its healthy form, it will help to destroy the Beta cells of the pancreas. The primary phenolic compound that is found in olive oil is Oleuropein. In the laboratory, these researchers found that Oleuropein was able to prevent the toxic form of amylin and therefore block the destruction of the pancreatic cells. This information is still in its infancy but the possibilities are endless. Take home point:  All overweight, obese and/or diabetics better use Olive Oil, the extra-virgin type and get off the saturated fats, trans fats, and hydrogenated fats ASAP.

 

The bottom line of this report is to learn from the most successful diet in world history. Eat food that is rich in plant polyphenols such as Extra-Virgin Olive Oil because this food has a centuries old history of protecting humans against heart disease, cancer and age-related bone loss and cancer. 

 

Dr. Michelle Haendiges