Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: High in Monounsaturated Fats, Low Omega-6 Fatty Acids, Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Anti-Oxidants, Crete Paradox, Low Rate of Heart Disease

You’ve no doubt heard of the health benefits of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Olive oil is both rich in monounsaturated fat and low in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids.

The Crete Paradox: Olive Oil's Unique Health Benefits

The true health benefits of olive oil come from a unique phytochemical called hydroxytyrosol, found only in olive oil.

Hydroxytyrosol appears to be an inhibitor of the enzymes that produce pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, just as aspirin does. This begins to explain the Crete paradox:

This population of Crete consumes more than 40 percent of their calories as fat (primarily extra-virgin olive oil),
The paradox is this: Crete has the lowest rate of heart disease in the Mediterranean region. They are basically taking liquid aspirin.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Significant Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

It’s good news that something as tasty as extra-virgin olive oil can have significant anti-inflammatory benefits.

Unfortunately, most extra-virgin olive oils sold here contain only trace amounts of hydroxytyrosol.
Olives are a fruit, just like grapes. Different varieties of olives will have different levels of hydroxytyrosol.
The higher the levels, the more desirable (and costly) the olive oil.

Frankly, most of the good stuff never leaves Italy.

EVOO: Most Powerful Anti-Oxidant Available

Extra Virgin Olive Oil also contains the most powerful antioxidant known. ORAC (oxygen radical absorbing capacity) is a new standardized test that was developed to compare the amount of free radical-quenching activity a particular food or antioxidant supplement really has.

Fruits and vegetables with the deepest colors are often the ones with the highest ORAC levels, especially compared to vitamin E and vitamin C.
But there are also a few surprising foods with high ORAC numbers. For example:
- Polyphenols isolated from green tea
- Herbs like rosemary, that have been used for centuries to preserve food, have even higher ORAC values.
Perhaps the most surprising is that the highest ORAC value belongs to hydroxytyrosol, the polyphenol found only in extra-virgin olive oil.

This explains why EVOO is so healthful - not only is it an anti-inflammatory agent; it also contains the most powerful antioxidant known.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Safer Anti-Inflammatory Than Fish Oil

Although fish oil is truly the anti-inflammatory powerhouse out of all supplements because of its high degree of polyunsaturation, it has the potential to be oxidized in the body due to an attack by free radicals.

Not only will the oxidized fatty acids in fish oil lose all of their anti-inflammatory properties, but they can actually become generators of inflammation.
Research has shown that those who take fish oil can develop decreased blood levels of vitamin E stores over time if not taken with adequate amounts of antioxidants.

This is why extra-virgin olive oil (the real stuff, of course) is the primary fat recommended for the Body Change 84 Day Fat To Fit Program. We recommend a total of 2-3 teaspoons a day of true extra-virgin olive oil that’s rich in hydroxytyrosol. You should have 1 teaspoonful at each meal drizzled onto low-fat protein or cooked vegetables.

Feel Better! Look Better! No More Excuse!

To learn how to get started on your path to better physical, mental and emotional health, stop in at the Body Change Wellness Studio.

We offer free consultations to show you what our 84 Day Fat To Fit Program can do for you, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, (812) 234-9136.

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