ASTHMA ATTACK & OLIVE OIL

ASTHMA ATTACK & OLIVE OIL

Asthma is another disease that can benefit from the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil. According to the American Lung Association, asthma afflicts almost 20 million Americans, including 7 million children.

Its prevalence is growing at an alarming rate and some of that increase is attributed to a change in dietary habits. When populations around the world switch from a traditional diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, and fish to one high in salt, animal fats, and highly processed vegetable oils, with few plant foods, the rate of asthma tends to go up.

Asthma is a life-long disease that has no known cure, but preventative steps, including adopting healthy dietary habits, can help alleviate its effects.

In short, asthma attacks occur when the airway passages that direct oxygen in and out of the lungs become inflamed, swollen, and obstructed with extra mucus.

The muscles that wrap around the airways can also become irritated and tighten, narrowing the passageways even further and causing what many asthma sufferers recognize as an “asthma attack”.

For sufferers of asthma, adopting a Mediterranean Diet has been shown to provide benefits that can help bring asthma under control. Like many other diseases that are aggravated by inflammation or restricted blood flow, it is the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of this style of eating that make a difference.

The ANTI-OXIDANTS provided by fresh fruits and vegetables are very likely to improve lung and airway support, as are the rich array of anti-inflammatory compounds found in core elements, such as EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, of this healthier way of eating.

The content of this web site is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL & OLIVE OIL

CHOLESTEROL BAIK vs CHOLESTEROL JAHAT ?

Yang Baik itu Minyak Zaitun Extra Virgin dari Pokok Tua di Palestine,

Yang Jahat itu kita perlu jauhkan.

Yang Mana Satu Pilihan Anda ???

One of the health care subjects we are most asked about is cholesterol. 

Cholesterol-controlling pharmaceuticals are widely publicized and the medical market profits significantly from their sales. 

But what exactly is cholesterol? 

What role does it play in your overall health? 

And how can olive oil offer a natural solution to help balance cholesterol levels and offset potentially harmful diseases like atherosclerosis (heart disease) and hypertension (high blood pressure)?

WHAT IS IT?

First, it is important to understand that cholesterol, in and of itself, is not bad for you. On the contrary, the body needs cholesterol to function properly.

It is the balance of three types of cholesterol (HDL (“good”), LDL (“bad”), and triglycerides) in your body that determine whether it is providing an optimum benefit.

The American Heart Association provides a simple explanation: “Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It is normal to have cholesterol. 

Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it is used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. 

But too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and for stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high levels of blood cholesterol.”

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins.

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol

When too much low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. 

Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. 

This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can result in a heart attack or stroke.

LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes from their mother, father, or even grandparents that cause them to make too much. 

Eating saturated fat, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have.

HDL (good) Cholesterol

About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. 

Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup.

Triglycerides

Triglyceride is also a form of fat made in the body. Elevated triglycerides can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more). 

People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL (“bad”) level and a low HDL (“good”) level. Many people with heart disease and/or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.

Lp(a) Cholesterol

Lp(a) is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A high level of Lp(a) is a significant risk factor for the premature development of fatty deposits in arteries. Lp(a) is not fully understood, but it may interact with substances found in artery walls and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits.

HOW DOES DIET AFFECT IT?

The daily recommended cholesterol limit is less than 300 milligrams for people with normal LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. People with high LDL blood cholesterol levels or who are taking a blood cholesterol-lowering medication should eat less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day.

Yet, the typical American diet is rich in saturated fatty acids provided by animal fats and processed (e.g. partially hydrogenated oils like margarine) fats. 

Almost every meal offers an assortment of these “bad for you” fats found in butter, margarine, fried foods, processed cheese, red meats – all accompanied by excessive amounts of carbohydrates. 

For example, eating one egg for breakfast, drinking two cups of coffee with one tablespoon of half-and-half each, lunching on four ounces of lean turkey breast without skin and one tablespoon of mayonnaise, and having a 6-ounce serving of broiled, short loin porterhouse steak for dinner would account for about 510 mg of dietary cholesterol that day — nearly twice the recommended limit.

This dietary pattern encourages cholesterol imbalance and has created a population at high risk of coronary disease, diabetes, and obesity. 

On the other hand, it is widely acknowledged that the Mediterranean diet delivers the opposite effect. Rich in monounsaturated and omega-3 and 6 (polyunsaturated) fats, green vegetables and fish, and olive oil, this type of diet has been credited with balanced cholesterol levels, lower incidences of heart disease and diabetes, and longer life spans.

WHAT ROLE CAN OLIVE OIL PLAY?

Olive oil has always served a central role in the Mediterranean diet, providing a strong source of mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats. 

These contributions to an overall healthy diet can have positive effects on cholesterol levels by helping to maintain a better balance between HDL (“good”) cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

Research studies have confirmed that diets high in saturated fats are known to raise LDL, while diets high in mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats tend to decrease LDL levels. 

A meta-analysis of 27 human trials designed to examine the effect of poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acid rich diets on blood lipid levels found that both types of dietary fats may potentially lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Further studies have revealed that other than its high mono-unsaturated content, unprocessed (such as extra-virgin) olive oil contains non-fat components such as certain phenolic compounds that have a wide range of health benefits including positive effects on cholesterol (both “good” and “bad”) levels and LDL oxidation.

SOURCES

American Heart Association 07/02/09
Mensink RP, Katan MB. Effect of a dietary fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins - A meta-analysis of 27 trials. Arteriosclerosis Thromb 12: 911-919 (1992)

Visioli F, Galli C. Biological properties of olive oil phytochemicals. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3):209-21.

The content of this web site is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & OLIVE OIL

DARAH TINGGI / HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ?

Ianya boleh dielakkan.......

Healthy blood pressure levels are an indicator of how clear the body’s arteries are. When blood pressure levels get out of balance, they can signal a potential heart attack or stroke.

High blood pressure levels are often caused by atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, which occurs when oxidized particles of LDL cholesterol stick to the walls of the arteries. 

Eventually these particles build up and form plaque, narrowing the blood vessels and putting a heavier workload on the heart as it pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body.

One of the specific compounds in olive oil that directly combats this build-up is called oleuropein. Oleuropein has been found by scientists to prevent the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and sticking to the arterial walls.

Saturated fat diets are associated with higher blood pressure but there have been few good studies on whether the reverse is true; 

Can unsaturated fats lower blood pressure?
And are some unsaturated fats better than others?

The answer is yes according to a well-designed study published by researchers from the University of Naples, Italy. 

They fed 23 subjects a diet rich either in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (olive oil) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (sunflower oil) for one year. 

In their words, "the main result of our investigation was a straightforward reduction in antihypertensive tablet consumption when patients were given olive oil, whereas drug consumption was only mildly affected by sunflower oil."

The need for common blood pressure drugs such as atenolol, HCTZ, and nifedipine was cut in half after just 4 months on the olive oil diet whereas drug consumption was only mildly affected by sunflower oil.

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also slightly lower while on the olive oil diet. There are as many as 5 mg of antioxidant polyphenols (absent in sunflower oil) in every 10 grams of olive oil. 

Polyphenols have been shown to reduce coronary artery disease and may be the substance lowering blood pressure. 

Antioxidants reduce nitric acid levels, a substance in the body known to raise blood pressure. At 26.6% of calories from fat the experimental diet was also low in total fat. The study was double blinded with neither subjects nor researchers aware of which oil was being used. 

Subjects were told to cook with given oil and men were told to add 40g and women to add 30g of oil after cooking. 

The study participants experienced no change in weight during the year. For readers with high blood pressure thinking of doing their own olive oil study: please get the consent of your doctor before changing medication doses.

SOURCES

From the Departments of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Drs Ferrara, Raimondi, Guida, and Marotta, and Ms d'Episcopo) and Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnologies (Mr Dello Russo), Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.

Reprints: L. Aldo Ferrara, MD, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Via S Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.

The content of this web site is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.

OLIVE OIL IS CURE FOR 70 DISEASES: DR. M. LAIQ ALI KHAN

Zaitoon (Olive) is Cure for Seventy Diseases

by : Dr. M.Laiq Ali Khan


Zaitoon (Olive) the sign of peace and friendship in this world has its description in Holy Qur’an Allah Taala says

1. By the fig and olive

2. And the mount of Sinai

3. And the city of security

4. We have indeed created man in the best of moulds

5. Then do we abase him (to be) the lowest of low

6. Except such as believe and do righteous deeds for they shall have a reward unfailing

7. What then, can after this, make you deny the last judgement

8. Is not Allah the wisest of judges” (The Fig, Surah 95)

The plant of olive goes up to the height of 3 meters, leaves are bright green and very attractive and the fruits are of bright bluish or violet colour, possesses a metallic taste. It is known from old ages. 

During the excavation of ancient Egyptian graves, vessels full of olive oil were found with other articles. According to the scholars of Hadith, on subsidence of Toofan-E-Nooh, when water level came down, the first thing on the earth that was seen, was the olive plant.

The plant is extensively found in Asia minor, Palestine, Roman territory, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, California in America, Mexico, Peru and South zone of Australia. 

Usually it is imported from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey and Greece. Though olive fruits are very nutritious it is not usually eaten due to its metallic taste. Rather pickles of its fruits are largely consumed in Europe. The fruits preserved in vinegar is imported from Greece and liked very much in Europe and in Arabian countries.

Olive oil is a good preservative for other eatables too. Sardine and other fishes are tinned and preserved in olive oil. The smoke-less burning of olive oil is a peculiar feature, which produces a bright light. 

Holy Qur’an stresses the importance of Zaitoon on several occasions: (141-M-AlInaam-6), (99-K-AlInaam-6), (11-K-AlNahl-16), (AlNoor-35), (Moominoon).

Hazrat Sayyed Al-Ansari narrates that the Prophet (Pbuh) said “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

Hazrat Alqama Bin Amir narrates that Prophet (Pbuh) said, “ There is olive oil for you, eat it, massage over your body, since it is effective in Heamorrhoids (Piles).” (Ibn Al-Jozi, Zanbi)

Hazrat Aqba Bin Amir narrates that the Prophet (Pbuh) stated, “You have the olive oil from this Holy (mubarak) tree, treat yourself with this, since it cures the Anal fissure (Basoor).” Khalid Bin Saad narrates “I came to Madinah with Ghalib Bin Al Jabr. Ghalib became ill during the journey. 

Ibn Abi Ateeq came to see him and told a narration from Hazrat Aisha that the Prophet (Pbuh) told about the cure in Kalonji. We crushed a few seeds of Kalonji and mixed it with olive oil and dropped in both nostrils, after which Ghalib became healthy.” (Ibn Maja, Bukhari)

Hazrath Abu Hurairah (t) narrates that the Prophet (Pbuh) stated, “ Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for seventy diseases in it, one of them is Leprosy.” (Abu Naim)

Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam narrates “ We have been directed by the Prophet (Pbuh) that we should treat the Pleurisy with Qust-e-Behri (Qust Sheerin) and olive oil.” (Tirmizi, sanadeAhmed, Ibn Maja)


Olive oil has a place in Govt Pharmacopoca of USA and Britain (British Pharmacopoca). Both of these countries have given prime importance to olive oil for the treatment of various ailments and have fixed standard parameters to evaluate its purity.

It contains Palmatic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Steanic Acid, Myristic Acid and Glycerides. It is not dissolved in water but in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform and Liquid Paraffin.

The adulterant very often used in the olive are of the seeds of Tea Plant, Arachis oil in the market samples of olive oil. Sometimes Machine Gun oil and refined Mobile oil are also found.

Olive oil is extracted from the ripened fruits. The unripe and over ripe fruits contain less amount of the oil. The fruits are processed three times. Successively, the first round oil is the best in quality, golden in colour, with a light fragrance and known as virgin oil. 

Some varieties of olive oil remained unchanged in its effectiveness for years together. It contains therapeutic potential even if it is a thousand years old. 

Despite the prime importance and holiness given by Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) no work has been done to find out its efficacy for the ailments other than the Haemorrhoids, Anal fissure, Skin diseases, pleurisy and leprosy, which are already described by the Prophet (Pbuh) , whereas the Prophet (Pbuh) himself says us that it contains cure for seventy diseases.


According to Ibn Al-Qayyim the red coloured oil is better than blackish one. It is an exhilarant, glows up the facial complexion, provides prevention against poisons, regulates the digestive process, expels the intestinal parasites, makes the hair lustrous and minimises the ageing problems. 

The massage of olive oil with common salt over the gums is a remedy for several diseases of gums and teeth. The local application of olive oil or the water extracted from the crushed olive oil leaves is effective on boils, rashes and itching. 

The chronic ulcers and boils, which show difficult healing condition, are healed up with the use of olive oil locally.

According to Zahbi it strengthens the hairs and body, hence could be used as a good tonic in old age problems and to delay the ageing process. It is also useful in sexual weakness. Combination of normal saline with olive oil is highly effective in burns cases.

The decotion of olive leaves in water is effective against mouth and lips ulcers and allergic dermatitis also. The concentrated aquous extract of olive leaves and fruits is very effective against dental cavities and application of this solution shows very good effects on Leukoplaquea in mouth.

This solution is applied with vinegar on Alopecia, grows the hair and removes the Alopecia. It is also stated that the local application of this extract removes the scars of small pox and boils. The powder of seeds mixed with butter is effective in brittle nails. 

The pickles prepared from olive fruits is a good appetizer and removes constipation. The smashed leaves are applied locally to check excessive perspiration. The water extracted from the leaves with honey is used as Ear drops and effective in various Ear ailments. 

The oil procured by burning of olive wood is effective against all fungal infection viz, Ringworm, T.versicolor etc. in addition to Eczema, Psoriasis, Dandruff and Alopecia. The local application of olive oil on scalp is highly effective against dandruff. It grows the hairs and checks, the loss of hair. The application of olive oil in eyes relieves the inflammation.

The massage of olive oil over the body tones up the muscles and organs, it relieves muscular pains. Some physicians also advocate the massage of olive oil for epilepsy. It relieves the Sciatic and arthritis. 

The ointment prepared from olive oil are very good healing agents. It heals the sinus and fistula very quickly. 25ml of olive oil mixed with 250ml of barley water, if taken internally, is highly effective against chronic constipation. It is good Diuretic, hence is used in Ascites. It also removes the kidney stones.

A conventional regimen is also available comprising of olive oil and other herbal drugs having potential against the Gall bladder stones. It is stated that this regimen dissolves and expels the Gall bladder stone.

In view of the researchs carried out in USA and England, it is concluded that it is a good nourishing diet during the ailments of kidney, where nitrogen containing food/proteins in take is contra indicated. 

Since, the Prophet (Pbuh) stated that it is a good remedy for Anal fissure, hence for the same complaint patients were advised to take two spoonful of olive oil at bedtime and an ointment was applied on fissure locally at retiring and in morning, prepared from 8 spoonfuls of olive oil and 2 spoonfuls of ground henna leaves. This showed very good effects against the problem. 

It is a good tonic for hair and maintains the lustre. Its combination with other prescribed drugs of Tibb-al-Nabwi is a good remedy for Psoriasis and Eczema. 

The impressions of several doctors practising in middle east and North Africa reveal that no case was detected of Gastro Intestinal Carcinoma, among those who were used to consuming olive oil. Japanese doctors also endorse this fact and have the opinion that olive oil prevents the incidence of Carcinoma in G.I.T.

The Prophet (Pbuh) stated that it is a good remedy for intestinal inflammations. Therefore it was used in the cases of G.I.T ulcers and found very much effective. It is also observed that no remedy equates the benefits of olive oil in hyper acidity and gas troubles.

The Prophet (Pbuh) recommended the use of olive oil in Pleurisy. Keeping this in view olive oil was administered in various diseases of Respiratory tract and it was observed that the regular users of olive oil were least affected with common cold and coryzha and pneumonia.

The clinical experiences of well qualified and highly established doctors in the profession who take a keen insight in Prophet’s medicine reveal that olive oil is a good supportive treatment in Tubercular infection of either sites. 

According to a narration of Kahlid Bin Saad in Ibn Maja, one spoonful of Kalonji was pulverised and mixed with 12 spoonful of olive oil. This suggestion was dropped into the nostrils morning and evening for the cases of chronic cold and epistaxis. The results were found highly positive.

www.islamicvoice.com 

OLIVES OIL FOR BABIES & CHILDREN

12 Uses of Olive Oil for Children and Babies

Greek Mithology says that Athenea gave us the olive tree  ( to greek people, in Athens more accurately) as a gift   which provided them with wood, oil and olives, and in this way she beat Poseydon in a fight to become Athens protector.

In the same way, we must give this magic liquid to our little treasures, I will try to give you some keys about how can you use Olive Oil for children and babies.

Before birth (inside mom)

1.-As they can’t eat by himselfs, mom must eat for them, always with olive oil.

Babies of women who took olive oil during pregnancy usually get better standards of height, weight and general development.

Unborn children need to keep significant reserves of vitamin E for going abroad and olive oil is full of it

It is good for mothers taking olive oil in pregnancy to maintain blood pressure levels and stay strong and healthy with the river of antioxidants provided by olive oil.

Although not a direct use for children, it is recommended that mothers use an emulsion of olive oil and water to prevent the cracks that occur after childbirth.

Olive Oil for Babies

2.-Olive Oil for preemie babies.


Some studies teach us that including extra virgin olive oil in preemie’s diet is beneficial to improve their health and their future development. As you know, sometimes this babies didn’t get enough time inside mom and they need this super-food for super heroes in order to update their entire system.

3.-Olive Oil as babies moisturizer:
If you have children, you know what I’m talking about. Your children skin must be healthy and softly all day, and specially after night bath, it’s very important to keep it hydrated.

It helps them to sleep and helps you to be happy. I always used Olive Oil  for babies at home and it works very well.

4.-Olive Oil is a  Natural Remedy for Baby’s Diaper Rash
Diaper Rash is due to several causes, dentition, sweat,wet diapers,etc,.There are a lot of babies suffering this kind of situations, Olive Oil helps your babie by easing diaper rash. 

You can check it by only use it over the surface mixed with water. Use 2 parts of olive oil for 1 part of water , beat it hardly and apply it after that. Save what remains of this remedie and re-beat it the next time.

5.-Constipation
Inlcuding Olive Oil in your baby diet, help to avoid constipation, but if it appears… there are some traditional remedies for break constipation in babies, it can sound incredible and amazing, but people use it and it’s my duty write it here.

Take your index finger and cover it with olive oil, and introduce it in your babie’s anus. People said: 50% effectiveness.

Do the same operation, but replacing your index finger with a geranium (cranesbill) stem. People said: 100 % effectiveness.

I have no opinion because I didn’t try it.

Olive Oil for children

6.- Children with atopic skin 

Atopic Children are usually very special ones, If your son or daughter is one of them you know it. You can help them by using shower gel or soap olive oil based, there are a lot of brands developing this kind of products.

7.-Head lice
Yes, it’s a annoyance, but it happens. Your kid return from college and Oh my god!!

Follow this link in order to get the proccess to finish the problem with olive oil.

The same company I said before , has a threatment for fighting against lice olive oil based.


8.-Get a glossy coat:

Using Olive oil by eating it helps your hair, but, you can use shampoo olive oil based in order to obtain a “brighter than the sun”. 

9.- Otitis:

Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear. A traditional remedy for otitis in the middle ear is applying  warm olive oil, it’s used since ancient times for ear infections, avoiding antibiotics prescriptions.

10.-Surgical sutures cure and scars
Sometimes children suffer accidents when they are playing or in other situations, you can use Olive Oil by putting it over these hurted areas in order to avoid future scars due to the skin dryness. Other oils like rosa mosqueta are a good idea too.

11.-Phymosis

The only real problem with children phymosis is that is neccessary to maintain clean the area named glans penis. In order to do that, the skin round it must be as elastic as possible to avoid access .

Olive Oil is used for years in this issue. Make a massage using olive oil, while trying to open the area, taking the skin to the point of no pain, but stress. Repeat this operation and you will get a clean gland penis. (It’s the objective)

12.- Alimentation.

The main issue of this post, you need to include olive oil regularly in your diet, and in your children’s diet. There are a hundred of benefits and a much more without being discovered yet.

Yes, it’s your health , 
Please, if you found useful this post, share it with your friends and family.

Feel free of leaving me a comment if you have other tips. I appreciate your contribution.

 BE OLIVE OIL MY FRIEND,,,,,,

OLIVE OIL & CANCER

Penggunaan Minyak Zaitun Berkualiti Tinggi sebagai Pencegah Kanser dan juga Usaha Memulihkan Pesakit Kanser, In Sya Allah.

Studies show that olive oil may play a part in reducing rates or risk of some types of cancer, particularly colon, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

A study published in the January 2005 issue of Annals of Oncology has identified oleic acid (the main component of olive oil) as having the ability to reduce the effect of an oncogene (a gene that will turn a host cell into a cancer cell). This particular oncogene is associated with the rapid growth of breast cancer tumors. 

The conclusion of the researchers was that oleic acid, when combined with drug therapy, encouraged the self-destruction of aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer cells, thus helping to combat the cancer. Olive oil has been positively indicated in studies on prostate and endometrial cancers as well.

The Mediterranean diet has also been linked with reduced cancer rates, so it is very likely that the combination of eating high quantities of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and consuming limited quantities of monounsaturated fats such as olive oil is responsible for this benefit, rather than olive oil by itself. A study from Etienne showed reduced cancer (all types) in a group of heart patients who consumed a “Greek” diet, vs. a group on the American Heart Association diet, whose cancer rates were much higher.

Several studies have come from Barcelona, Spain, that demonstrate the protective effects of olive oil in cancer treatment and prevention. A 2008 study by Escrich and associates concluded that “compelling evidence exists about the protective effect of olive oil consumption on the appearance and progression of some cancers, mainly those of the breast, colon, and prostate. Both its main monounsaturated fatty acid, OA (oleic acid), and some specific minor components could account for the biological effects of olive oil on the distinct stages of carcinogenesis through different molecular mechanisms of action.”

BREAST CANCER AND OLIVE OIL

In 2003, M. Solanas from the Department of Cell Biology in Barcelona reported in the International Journal of Oncology that olive oil slowed breast cancer in rats. A corn oil diet stimulated more cancers than a control diet, while olive oil led to fewer and smaller tumors than the control diet.

A 2009 study from Barcelona (the Catalonian Institute of Oncology) by Menendez et al confirmed that the polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil are effective in combating breast cancer cells of the HER-2 type. The study notes that the isolated polyphenols were applied in much higher concentrations than what can be consumed in dietary olive oil, but their findings may help explain the protective effect olive oil seems to have in preventing certain types of cancer among Mediterranean women. The researchers were also careful to point out that only extra virgin olive oil, which is not heated or refined, would contain these beneficial polyphenols.

COLON CANCER AND OLIVE OIL

Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Americans. Animal studies have shown that dietary fats increase the development of colon tumors. The fact that the Western diet is high in fats seems to correlate with the high incidence of colon cancer among Americans as opposed to the rest of the world. But different fats have different effects.

Doctors in the Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital in Barcelona decided to test olive oil to see if it could safeguard against colon cancer compared to other oils. Investigators studied the effects of a diet rich in safflower, fish oil or olive oil on rats, which had been given a chemical that accelerates cancer in the bowel.
After five months, twice as many rats in the safflower group had developed tumors as the rats in the other two groups. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.


It is not known what specific property of olive oil lowers the incidence of bowel tumors. Olive oil is an n9 fatty acid (primarily monounsaturated) with a different structure from safflower and fish oil. Dietary olive oil was shown to help prevent colon cancer development. The study authors postulated that these effects may be partly due to a lowering of inflammation chemicals in the intestines.

OVARIAN CANCER AND OLIVE OIL

In a Milan study published by Bosetti in 2002, women who ate more olive oil had better protection against ovarian cancer. The study looked at the diets of nearly 3,500 Italian women: 1,031 with ovarian cancer, and 2,411 without cancer. The women who consumed the highest amount of olive oil (up to three quarters of an ounce daily) had the lowest rate of ovarian cancer, reduced 30% from the average.

PROSTATE CANCER AND OLIVE OIL

The WebMD prostate cancer health site recommends eating olive oil or avocado oil, but almost no other added fats, since they may encourage cancer growth or have no beneficial effect. Both Japanese traditional foods and the Mediterranean diet seem to be protective against prostate cancer, so high quantities of vegetables and very little red meat, as well as individual antioxidant-rich foods like green tea and olive oil may be conferring benefits in these populations.

SKIN CANCER AND OLIVE OIL

A 2001 study from Japan found that hairless mice exposed to damaging doses of sunlight then soothed with olive oil developed fewer skin cancers. We don't know if people's skin will react the same as hairless mice, but it is likely that the antioxidants in olive oil could help prevent cancer in humans too. Sunlight damages DNA and creates free radicals that cause oxidative damage. Olive oil has polyphenols and other natural antioxidants that could prevent the type of damage that leads to cancer. Cheaper refined olive oil didn't seem to help the mice as much as fresh, extra virgin olive oil. The utility of this study is unclear, as no amount of olive oil would undo all the damage caused by the sun. A wiser course would be to avoid the sun, use a hat and sunscreens and save the olive oil for a salad.

A more recent study from Ireland demonstrated the role of olive oil in an anti-cancer diet. It seems that the lycopene of tomatoes is more effectively utilized to prevent skin cancer when combined in the diet with olive oil. These foods eaten together provided the equivalent of a low factor sunscreen of protection to the study participants. Again, it should be noted that the best protection from sun is afforded by hats, clothing and minimal exposure.

SOURCES

Solanas, M., Int J Oncol, 01-Oct-2002; 21(4): 745-53
Cancer Causes and Control, Vol. 13: 465-470
The content of this web site is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this web site.

101 OLIVE OIL USES:

101 OLIVE OIL USES: 

1. Make your arteries more elastic – Two tablespoons daily makes you more resistant to strokes and heart attack.

2. Reduce bad cholesterol levels. – Olive oil contains polyphenols, which help to keep your levels of LDL cholesterol within healthy ranges.

3. Make you less hungry – Olive oil makes you feel sated and tends to make you eat less and have fewer sugar cravings.

4. Reduce the risk of stroke in the elderly through yet another mechanism – Older people who ate diets rich in olive oil consumption, which contains plasma oleic acid, had fewer strokes in a 2011 study.

5. Lower the risk of coronary heart disease in women – Mediterranean cultures have long revered the olive and its oil, with good reason. An Italian study found that a diet that included olive oil along with plenty of leafy vegetables and fruit resulted in reduced rates of coronary heart disease in women enrolled in the study.

6. Cure or reduce acne – Although it sounds counterintuitive to use oil to fight pimples and blackheads, using an olive oil and salt scrub helps some types of acne.

7. Protect your red blood cells and therefore your heart – Over time, cells oxidize, leading to the common effects of aging. A specific polyphenol in olive oil is especially effective at protecting your red blood cells from oxidation. A 2009 study identified this component as DHPEA-EDA.

8. Treat sunburn – Olive oil soothes the pain of mild sunburn by helping skin retain its moisture. Use equal parts olive oil and water in a tight-lidded container. Shake well, then apply to mild sunburn. Shake the mixture often during application to keep it from separating.

9. Help fight breast cancer – Olive oil contains phytochemicals, and a 2008 study found that they are effecting at killing cancer cells and suppressing cancer genes.

10. Improve your memory – Some research has shown that olive oil can prevent and possibly even reverse the memory loss that accompanies Alzheimer’s disease.

11. Prevent heart attacks in men – A 2008 study showed that men who ate at least two ounces of olive oil reduced their chances of having a heart attack by 82 percent as compared to men who ate no olive oil.

12. Keep your lips soft and supple – Make your own lip balm by combining olive oil with equal parts beeswax. Put it into a small glass jar and apply it with your fingertip. Try using Robbins Family Farm Eve’s Mandarin Orange Blend olive oil for a lip balm that is both helpful and tasty!

13. Condition your hair – Ancient beauties and warriors alike used olive oil to tame and beautify their locks. Olive oil strengthens hair and makes it more flexible.

14. Help you to stay healthier into old age – The Mediterranean Diet has been proven to be one of the healthiest in the world. Some consider it the healthiest. Olive oil has always been an integral part of the Mediterranean Diet. Although red wine and lots of fish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables also play a huge part in the diet’s success, scientists agree that it wouldn’t be nearly as beneficial without olive oil.

15. Prevent dry scalps – Using olive oil as a scalp conditioner moisturizes your dry scalp.

16. Prevent middle-age spread – Because olive oil is a calorie-dense food, it is often avoided out of fear that it will cause weight gain. However, a 2008 study showed that olive oil, along with nut oils, did not cause weight gain the way less healthy fats do.

17. Provide an easy way to add minimally processed food to your diet – Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is unrefined. It is obtained by pressing cold olives. All other oils that are readily available to consumers must be refined using heat and other harsh processes. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here.

18. Clean sensitive skin – The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans had no soap and didn’t miss it thanks to olive oil. They massaged olive oil into their skin, then scraped it back off, along with dirt and dead skin. Today, a wide variety of soaps, including some made from olive oil, are available. Yet many people still prefer to clean their skin with pure olive oil.

19. Remove paint from your skin – Olive oil gently loosens paint on your skin. When you wipe away the oil, the paint goes with it. Your skin will be left soft, firm and smooth.

20. Make an inexpensive exfoliant that works like the most expensive spa products available – Exfoliating removes dead skin and prevents your skin from becoming dull. Mix a palmful of olive oil with a teaspoon of sugar or salt. Apply the mixture to your skin, then massage gently.

21. Moisturize your skin – Olive oil is closer in chemical structure to your skin’s natural oil than any other naturally occurring oil. Use it as you would a body, face and hand lotion. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

22. Prevent your skin from aging prematurely – The same antioxidant properties that keep your red blood cells from oxidizing when you eat olive oil keep your skin cells from oxidizing when you apply it topically. The antioxidant hydroxytyrosol and vitamin E help to prevent cell degeneration in your skin.

23. Never clog your pores or cause pimples – Olive oil penetrates the skin, leaving your skin silky smooth with no greasy feeling. Cleopatra undoubtedly had many costly beauty secrets up her sleeve, but the most important of them can be yours for the price of a small bottle of EVOO.

24. Prevent sagging skin – The squalene in olive oil increases your skin’s elasticity, leaving it firmly toned with a bright, youthful glow.

25. Smooth and moisturize rough, dry feet – Make a foot scrub of equal parts olive oil and honey, a third part sugar and a dash of lemon juice. Soak your feet in warm water, then massage the moisture into them. Follow up by moisturizing your feet and hands with a well-shaken water and olive oil emulsion.

26. Give you a safe sunless tan – Use olive oil as a medium to make self-tanners go on more smoothly and evenly. Mix equal parts of a commercial self-tanning product and olive oil. Apply the mixture to your skin and enjoy your streak-free sunless tan.

27. Act as a perfect medium for cosmetics – Combined with natural pigments and beeswax, olive oil makes inexpensive, natural lip-gloss, blush and even eye shadow.

28. Make a perfect addition to homemade skin-care products – Nearly all your skin-care recipes, from masks to exfoliants, can be improved by substituting olive oil for the oil called for in the original recipe. You can also often improve and extend expensive commercial skin care products by mixing a small amount with a palmful of olive oil just before you use them.

29. Act as a perfect carrier for oil-based medicines – Essential oils usually cannot be used full-strength on the skin. They typically require the use of a carrier oil. Olive oil is excellent carrier oil for most essential oils.

30. Team up with mashed avocado for a homemade facial mask – Mix olive oil with a mashed ripe avocado into a paste. Smooth onto your face or another area that needs moisturizing and rejuvenating. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

31. Combine with honey and egg for a beauty mask right from the pages of Venus’ beauty guide – An ancient beauty mask recipe is made from an egg yolk, a spoonful of honey and a spoonful of olive oil. Rub it on and wait for 15 minutes, then rinse it all off with warm water.

32. Make a natural vitamin supplement – Two tablespoons can replace your daily vitamin E supplement while providing all the other benefits of olive oil. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

33. Possibly protect and lubricate your voice – There is no scientific evidence yet to back them up, but singers have been using olive oil as a gargle before performing for centuries.

34. Make a natural massage oil – Olive oil may very well be the world’s oldest massage oil. It can be used alone or as a carrier oil for essential oils. Learn about why olive oil is great for massage.

35. Enhance spirituality – Homer makes reference to the use of olive oil as an anointing oil. In ancient times, anointing was very important. Olive oil was often combined with myrrh or cinnamon oil before it was used for this sacred purpose.

36. Improve your skin’s appearance from the inside out – Including olive oil in your daily diet helps your skin stay healthy and beautiful.

37. Act as an all-natural personal lubricant – Olive oil is almost certainly the world’s oldest personal lubricant. It should not be used in combination with latex condoms or diaphragms, however.

38. Help fight off degenerative diseases – The antioxidants in olive oil give it the power to help lessen the impact of degenerative diseases on your body.

39. Improve the health of the entire population of the world – The World Health Organization officially recommends that people across the world adopt the Mediterranean diet for better health and specifically suggests olive oil as the healthiest source of fat on the planet.

40. Hold its own next to fruits and vegetables as a source of antioxidants and vitamins – EVOO is a natural, minimally processed food that contains as many antioxidants and nutrients as many foods that are touted as health foods.

41. Lower your blood pressure – Although researchers have some theories as to why it works, no one is sure why olive oil helps to lower blood pressure. They just know that it does.

42. Reduce nitric acid to normal levels – Nitric acid has been proven to increase blood pressure. Olive oil reduces nitric acid levels. This may be one of the ways it lowers your blood pressure.

43. Take the credit for making women beautiful – The Bible mentions that the Persian king Xerxes’ wives used olive oil to make themselves beautiful. More recently, Sophia Loren, who is still being named to “most beautiful” lists in her 70s, credits her beauty to olive oil baths. She also claims to consume olive oil daily.

44. Make fine soap – The very first soap in the world was made of olive oil. Today, olive oil soap is still one of the smoothest, best-smelling soaps on the market.

45. Combine with butter for a healthier bread spread – In a mixing bowl, combine one part softened butter and one part olive oil. Mix on low until the oil is whipped into the butter. Refrigerate and use it as you would butter. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

46. Make you live longer – There is no doubt that eating a healthy diet can make you live longer. Olive oil is part of the healthiest diet on earth, the Mediterranean Diet. Jeanne Calment, who currently has the distinction of being the longest-living person whose age could be confirmed in the world, needed no convincing. She lived to be a very youthful 122 and gave the credit to her daily consumption of olive oil. She also used it topically.

47. Minimize cellulite – Mix used coffee grounds with olive oil for a topical cellulite treatment. Apply it directly to the skin.

48. Help you get a sunless tan without using commercial products – If you don’t like the thought of mixing olive oil with a commercial self-tanning lotion, mix it with used coffee grounds instead. Apply it liberally but evenly in the tub before your shower and allow it to work its magic.

49. Condition your hair – Used coffee grounds and olive oil make a good hair conditioner, as well. Rub it in well before you shampoo your hair.

50. Deep condition damaged hair – Warm a quarter cup of olive oil to a comfortable temperature, then work it through your hair to the roots. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or a shower cap, then heat your hair with a hair dryer. Allow the oil to sit on your hair for up to a half hour, then shampoo as usual. If you do this in the shower, your whole body will emerge soft and silky.

51. Remove makeup – Apply olive oil to a cotton ball and gently wipe your makeup off your face. You can safely use olive oil near your eyes.

52. Firm and tone skin – Combine equal parts water and olive oil in a jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well. Apply to your skin.

53. Add a new dimension to ordinary wrestling matches – In Turkey, a 600-year-old tradition involves grown men wrestling while covered in olive oil.

54. Act as a sensual massage oil – Olive oil has been used as a sensual massage oil since ancient times.

55. Help you create delicious, healthy baked goods – Olive oil is commonly used in baking in the Mediterranean. Use a lighter-colored, lighter tasting end-of-season version for desserts. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

56. Ensure your baked goods come out of the pan in one piece – Olive oil can be rubbed or misted on baking pans instead of baking sprays or shortening.

57. Turn fast food into health food – Use olive oil to transform unhealthy American pizza into healthy Mediterranean pizza by substituting it for other oils and using it to oil the pan and shine up the finished crust.

58. Keep baked goods fresh longer – The vitamin E in olive oil helps to keep baked goods moist and fresh longer than solid shortenings or even other oils.

59. Replace butter in recipes – Olive oil is a good substitute for butter in recipes. It even works in baked goods. Use slightly less than the amount of butter called for in the recipe.

60. Return Italian dishes to their healthy roots – Use olive oil in sauces, to prevent pasta from sticking and to sauté ingredients. A little of the right oil can make the difference between a health dish and an unhealthy one.

61. Make heaven on a plate – Make heart-healthy pesto by grinding basil, walnuts or pine nuts, parmesan and garlic together, then incorporating EVOO until the texture is right. Serve over pasta or as a dipping sauce for bread. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

62. Protect food from freezer burn – Use as a protective seal for homemade sauces or other Mediterranean dishes before you freeze them.

63. Prevent mosquitoes from breeding – Prevent mosquito larvae from contaminating rainwater by pouring a layer of olive oil on top of the water in your rain barrel.

64. Make a heart-healthy condiment – EVOO is delicious drizzled over bread and many other dishes.

65. Make a heart-healthy salad dressing – Combine equal parts EVOO and balsamic vinegar, raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar and drizzle over your salad.

66. Make ordinary bread something special – Bread dipping oils can be flavored with a variety of herbs and spices. Start with EVOO and use your imagination.

67. Combine with herbs, spices, garlic or citrus juices to make your taste buds pop – Infuse EVOO with herbs for dipping sauces. Experiment with adding garlic alone or in combination with herbs, spices, vinegars or lemon or other citrus juices. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

68. Compliment or contrast with your food – Different EVOOs pair beautifully with foods. Choose flavors of EVOO that either compliment or contrast with the food you are serving it with, then drizzle the cold oil over the food.

69. Reduce the appearance of stretch marks – Combine equal parts cocoa butter and olive oil for a stretch-mark minimizer.

70. Enhance the beauty of black hair – Combine olive oil with hair care products to make the product spread more evenly through your hair.

71. Detangle your hair – Work olive oil into your hair, then comb the tangles right out of it.

72. Shine and seal your hair – After moisturizing, apply olive oil to prevent the moisture from evaporating.

73. Boost a commercial conditioner – Add olive oil to conditioner to enhance and improve it.

74. Prevent hair loss and damage – By using olive oil to manage your hair instead of using harsh chemicals, you can minimize damage to your hair.

75. Kill lice – To kill lice, follow the directions for using olive oil as a deep conditioning treatment. Make sure to leave the oil on your child’s hair for at least 30 minutes and repeat the treatment every ten days for at least a month.

76. Prevent prematurely gray hair – EVOO contains pigments. Using it in your hair will gradually darken it.

77. Aid digestion – People have taken olive oil as a digestive aid for generations.

78. Make a sweet-smelling, clean-burning lamp oil – Olive oil lamps have been prized for thousands of years for their good light and lack of sputter.

79. Act as a household lubricant – Use olive oil anywhere you would use a lubricant spray or 3in1 oil.

80. Shine household surfaces – Appliances, faucets, stainless steel and laminate surfaces all benefit from a light coating of olive oil and a gentle buffing.

81. Condition cutting boards – Rub olive oil lightly on cutting boards, wooden salad bowls and wooden utensils.

82. Sauté food – You can sauté most foods in olive oil. Avoid high heat and don’t try to use it for deep-frying. Shop Robbins Family Farm’s EVOO’s here

83. Darken and highlight eyelashes – Use olive oil instead of mascara to darken and shine your eyelashes and eyebrows.

84. Turn or bath into a spa – Add olive oil to your bath the way you would use any bath oil. Experiment with using different essential oils to scent it.

85. Soothe a baby’s delicate skin – Use olive oil instead of baby oil for baby care, especially to treat and prevent diaper rash.

86. Waterproof your work boots – It also works on tool belts, baseball gloves and other utilitarian leather items.

87. Smooth out that rough shave – Use olive oil instead of soap or shaving cream for a close, comfortable shave.

88. Polish wood furniture – Apply olive oil to a soft cloth, then wipe it onto your furniture.

89. Condition cuticles – Apply olive oil on a cotton swab to moisturize your cuticles.

90. Keep measuring cups clean – Wipe measuring containers with olive oil to allow sticky ingredients to slide right out of the pan.

91. Tame frizzy hair – Lightly spray olive oil on frizzy hair before combing.

92. Unstick a zipper – Allow oil to penetrate the zipper, then unzip as usual.

93. Improve a cat’s coat – Add a small amount of olive oil to cat food for a shinier coat and healthy skin.

94. Lend a shine to brass – Apply olive oil to a soft cloth, then rub it onto brass hardware.

95. Ease earache pain – A popular over-the-counter earache remedy has only one ingredient: olive oil.

96. Ease a scratchy throat tickle – A sip of EVOO may quiet that annoying tickle.

97. Make shoes shine – Lightly dampen a soft cloth with olive oil, then buff your shoes with it.

98. Protect hands from yard work – Put olive oil on your hands before gardening or other dirty work to prevent dirt buildup and make cleanup easier.

99. Remove sap or tar from your skin – Apply olive oil to the sticky spot, then rub gently until the residue is removed. Wipe the oil off your hands.

100. Remove stickers - Saturate the sticker with olive oil, then gently peel it off the surface.

101. Remove chewing gum from skin or non-porous surfaces – Rub the gum gently with olive oil. It might also help you pass chewing gum you have swallowed, but consult a doctor if you have swallowed more than a piece or two.