HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & OLIVE OIL

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.

CANCER & OLIVE OILS

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.

Clean your face naturally with oil (yep, oil!)

The skin of my adult years has been pretty problem-free. It’s neither too dry nor too oily, and I’ve been pretty content with my 15-year hiatus of using Cetaphil or its generic equivalent. But since I turned 30 a few years ago, I’ve noticed that my skin has become… blah. Kinda dull. Losing its vibrancy. A little cloudy. It’s also been dry and tight after washing, and even moisturizing wasn’t helping much.

I wasn’t overly concerned about it, until I read from some of my favorite blogs this summer about a face cleansing method I hadn’t yet tried. I had been going shampoo-free for a few weeks, so I was eager to try this out, too, since it requires no harsh soaps or man-made chemicals. I figured, what did I have to lose? I’ll try it out, and if I don’t like it, I’ll simply switch back to my tried-and-true method.

And so far, I don’t think I’ll ever go back. I love my refreshed skin and its frugal cleaner.

The Oil-Cleansing Method (OCM)

Alright, it might sound a little odd to clean your face with anoil, especially if you have oily skin. But contrary to popular belief, oil does not cause oily skin or acne. That culprit is usually a combination of hormones, trapped bacteria, and dirt.

Like your hair, the sebum that the skin secretes is actually good for your skin — it’s there to protect it from the outside environment, and to keep harmful things from seeping in. Since water doesn’t break up oil, most commercial cleansers are marketed with the “oil free” stamp of approval, making them easy to splash off.

When skin’s natural oils are removed, the body’s reaction is to compensate by producing more oil, much like shampoo does with our hair. Or if your skin is dry, it’s because all the oil has been stripped away, and your body doesn’t compensate by replenishing it (that was my case).

Here’s a direct quote from acne.org:

“Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils.

By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”

So in essence, good-quality oil is the perfect substance for cleaning sensitive skin, such as on our face, because it helps gently remove the dirty oil and replaces it with good, nourishing, healing oil.

How to get started

1. MAKE YOUR CLEANER

Simply mix the oils together in a small bottle, give it a little shake, and you’ve got yourself a homemade, frugal facial cleanser. The most popular blend of oils for this cleansing method is castor oil and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The castor oil draws out dirt and other gunk from your pores. The EVOO is a brilliant moisturizer, helping heal and nourish the skin.

• For those with normal skin, you could start off with a one-to-one ratio of castor oil and EVOO.

• For those with acne-prone or oily skin, reduce the proportion of EVOO, and try three parts castor oil to one part EVOO.

• For those with drier skin, start off with one part castor oil to three parts EVOO. This is what I use.

Experiment, and find what ratio works for you. Just start off with a little bit, and then try it for a few days. I began with one teaspoon of castor oil and three teaspoons of EVOO in a little squeeze bottle.

2. GENTLY RUB IT IN

Pour a quarter-sized amount into your palm, rub your hands together, and slowly massage your skin with your fingertips. Don’t splash your face with water first — apply it dry. Work the oil into your skin for about a minute, and enjoy the peaceful massage at work. Don’t scrub — just rub.

3. STEAM YOUR FACE

Next, wet a washcloth with hot water (but not scalding!), and put it over your face until it’s about room temperature.This is steaming out your pores, removing the impurities and the dead skin cells. It’ll take about a minute — enjoy the nearly-free facial.

4. WIPE OFF THE OIL

Take the washcloth, rinse and wring it, then gently wipe off the oil. Your skin will probably feel softer immediately.

• If you’re like me, your skin will feel softer and look a bit brighter. It won’t feel tight, but it won’t be greasy, either.Olive oil has the same pH as human skin, so it’s the perfect cleansing balancer.

• The OCM also brilliantly removes makeup. It works better than the Clinique makeup remover I had been using. Much cheaper, too.

• You also probably won’t need to do this more than once per day. I do this at night, just before bed. In the morning, I simply splash my face with cold water to wake up. Every now and then, I’ll dab on a little bit of moisturizer, but I hardly need that anymore. I never thought I’d see that day.

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 benefical 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,.Tthere 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. I know for example Olea Cosmeticos rural women artisans , I used it with my daughter and it works very, very well.

• 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”. Try it looking for this product and share your experience with me.

• 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 neccesary to mantain 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 regulary 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 ,  BE OLIVE OIL MY FRIEND.

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.