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https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/12/13/why-the-price-of-olive-oil-is-soaring
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https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.810249/full
https://www.hippocraticpost.com/cancer/can-olive-oil-help-patients-with-lymphocytic-leukemia/
]]>https://www.olivetomato.com/how-to-recognize-good-and-bad-olive-oil/
]]>https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/…/extra-virgin-olive-oi…/91205
Cited Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551447/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299920308335?via%3Dihub#sec2
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https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/pamako-from-monumental-trees-to-medicine/87743.
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"There is no other study which has examined in such a detailed manner the effects of Greek extra virgin olive oil in elders with amnestic mild cognitive impairment as an effective solution for cognitive impairment."
https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/health-news/polyphenol-olive-oil-for-cognitive-impairment/87573
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We hope that you are well and healthy. This message is to update you on the status of our inventory. Due to an increasing high demand of our product we had to replenish our current inventory mid-year. An additional shipment of 2019 Harvest high phenolic olive oil is on its way, expected to be available to you soon (new Certificate of Analysis will be posted when product becomes available).
The new shipment continues to meet the high standards of the product you have come to expect. Triggered by the unavailability to purchase 8 oz (237 ML) bottles, we are excited to introduce the new Olea True 16 oz. (474 ML) bottle size for the 2019 Harvest. The limited remaining supply of the 8oz (237 ML) bottles will continue to be offered until we sell out.
The price of one 16 oz (474 ml) bottle will sell for $54 (the same as two 8oz (237 ml) bottles). You will still enjoy the same discounts you received with orders for multiple bottles, consistent with our commitment to offer you the highest quality for the best value possible.
We want to thank you for your business and continued support over the last three years of our operation, and we are thrilled to continue providing you our high quality product despite the uncertain times we all experience.
Stay healthy and in good spirits!
With gratitude,
Olea True Team
]]>When we eat is just as important as how much we eat. The pleasure center of the brain that produces the chemical dopamine and the brain's biological clock that regulates daily physiological rhythms are linked. High-calorie foods which bring pleasure disrupt normal feeding schedules resulting in overconsumption. Obesity causes disease.
A related study found that limiting eating to a 10-hour window per day may help prevent chronic diseases associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is closely linked to overweight or obesity and inactivity.
Time-restricted eating involves consuming all calories within a limited period each day, in this case, within 10 hours. Earlier studies show the practice supports circadian rhythms, which are the 24-hour cycles of biological actions that affect most of the cells within the body. Researchers have found that erratic eating patterns adversely affect the rhythms, thus raising the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Related articles:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200103111717.htm
For more information on metabolic syndrome refer to: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome
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Previous research also showed that EVOO consumption can preserve memory and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease. While all of these studies were done in animal models, researchers have already found enough evidence that extra virgin olive oil can benefit humans as well. Domenico Praticò, director of the Alzheimer’s Center at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM) at Temple University, says the best thing you can do for yourself in the new year is to add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to your diet.
The total polyphenol count in Olea True is >1000mg/kg, significantly greater than the levels used in this study. A teaspoon a day of Olea True (https://oleatrue.com/pages/science) satisfies the required daily intake.
References:
https://www.phillymag.com/healthcare-news/2019/12/19/benefits-of-olive-oil/
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In a follow-up study, researchers also found that oleocanthal combined with a conventional breast cancer treatment may work better than drugs alone while reducing the required dose of the medication to ¼ of the original dose (1). Siddique and colleagues compared the effects of oleocanthal, Lapatinib (a conventional treatment for breast cancer), and a combination of oleocanthal and Lapatinib, with a control group. They found that the combination therapy was most effective and significantly reduced the migration of breast cancer cells that often lead to death. This study suggests that such a combination therapy could work better than the current treatment while reducing the required dose of the medication (LP) to ¼ of the original dose.
The risk of recurrence remains a problem for breast cancer survivors and depends on a variety of factors including:
For women who have a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy, the chance of local recurrence in 10 years is about 3-15 percent. The risk of local recurrence depends on tumor characteristics such as hormone receptor status and HER2 status (2). HER2-dependent, HER2-amplified, or HER2-positive are very aggressive and account for about 20% of diagnosed breast cancer cases (3). It is commonly treated with the medication Lapatinib, but tumor cells quickly become resistant to this treatment, making it hard to fight the disease. In an interview with Greek Liquid Gold, Sayid shared:
“there is no formal absolute test to predict relapse, nor a formal drug for recurrence prevention; chemotherapeutic cancer drugs are not really able to kill the dormant tumor cells that cause a relapse.” Since most of the world’s cancer survivors are now under medical surveillance following treatment, more than 12 million patients “are living with the nightmare of watching for their relapse”
Despite these promising findings, it is important to bear in mind that these studies were conducted on mice. However, the results support funding for future studies, hopefully on humans, on the link between oleocanthal and breast cancer. Second, the required dose of high phenol olive oil would equate to about 700 ml (or 142 teaspoons) per day. The extraction of pure oleocanthal from olive oil in the form of a supplement will need to be evaluated before the combination of oleocanthal and drug therapy can be considered as a viable treatment option for breast cancer patients.
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30781364
2. https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/SurvivalandRiskofHavingCancerReturnAfterTreatment.htm
]]>'Challenging, painstaking, traditional, and innovative' are the four words you use to describe the process for yielding premium quality olive oil. Can you tell us what this means to you?
The experience of older generations guided us, and youthful passion motivated us to start a challenging, painstaking procedure to take full advantage of what nature gave us. It all began in a rocky, mountainous area covered with olive trees that are hundreds of years old. Throughout our journey, we kept in mind the advice of our grandfathers which is to respect the trees, look after them, and they will richly reward you with their fruits. The best quality olive oil with all of olive oil’s health benefits is our ultimate reward. These four words describe the complete procedure for creating an ultra-premium olive oil.
Why do you rely on a handpicked method for cultivating premium olive oil?
Because our olive trees grow in a rocky, mountainous area, the use of heavy machinery is impossible. Harvesting has to be done by hand, climbing up into the trees and using electric sticks to carefully shake the branches. To catch the fruit when it is light green before it starts to turn purple, this procedure starts in early October.
You've mentioned in the past that your trees have unique personalities. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
Cultivation and harvesting are extremely challenging due to the morphology of the ground and the size of the trees. Following the traditional ways that more than four generations have taught us and respecting what nature generously gives us on this mountain, we treat each one of the trees differently, according to its needs. With an average height of about 11 meters and some trees reaching 20 meters, and an average age of about 200 years, each tree has a different “personality.” That’s why each one needs individual attention. Our ally in this effort is the ideal microclimate of the area: sunny and windy while the trees start to blossom, with cold, rainy days naturally protecting them from disease and feeding them before the harvest.
Do you prune your trees?
Some believe that pruning is the best way for olive trees to produce new leaves, flowers, and olives. I like to let them alone to do whatever they want. The more you let them reach for their food, the more phenolic compounds. Other olive farmers wondered why I don't make life easier by pruning our trees. They called me crazy, destroyer of the trees, stupid—but now they call me to ask what to do.
Olive oil naturally oxidizes over time. How do you combat this and help preserve phenols?
Milling is done on the day of the harvest, at low temperatures (under 26 C). We put out the pit before malaxing so that we will take only the best from each fruit. It lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes for each batch of olives and while malaxing we use inert Argon gas so that we don't have any oxygen affecting the quality and to ensure that the olive oil will keep all its aromas and valuable phenols. We lose quantity this way, but we gain an extraordinary quality.
Extra virgin olive oil, particularly high phenol olive oil, is one of the few foods that most health experts seem to agree on. The list of benefits is so extensive that olive oil is widely considered to be a superfood. There are numerous studies to support that it can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, reduce inflammation, and decrease your risk of stroke and heart disease. It’s also packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.
We have previously cited studies that have shown that olive oil kills cancer cells. Previous evidence suggests that certain olive oils can lower your odds of developing cancer, particularly oleocanthal — a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory compound found only in high-quality EVOO. Now, new research published in the journal PLOS further supports that EVOO just might have the power to kill off cancer cells. Many studies have linked consumption of EVOO with reduced incidence of cancer, most significantly a randomized trial in which elevated EVOO in the diet led to a 62% reduction in the incidence of breast cancer in Spain over a 5 year period. Data provided here link the cytotoxic effects of EVOOs to their level of oleocanthal (1). The cytotoxic effects were due to the ability of oleocanthal to induce LMP and necrotic cell death preferentially in cancer cells. Whereas pure oleocanthal can also have negative effects on non-cancerous cells, EVOO is considered safe and healthy and, therefore, could be both preventative as well as a potential treatment–as indicated by the Spanish study (1). This new study not only reinforced what these what previous studies have found, but also that extra virgin olive oils, potent in antioxidants like oleocanthal, are much more protective against cancer than those with little to no oleocanthal. Despite these findings, it is important to keep in mind that there are limitations to this study. First, it's too early to conclude that olive oil can treat or cure cancer.
“You’re not taking a medication, you’re just eating olive oil, so I’m not going to be trying to give you some advice like ... once you have been diagnosed with cancer, go have olive oil,” explained Vasilis Vasiliou, chair of the department of environmental health sciences at Yale Cancer Center.
This study was also conducted in mice. "More research is needed to better understand how well oleocanthal works in humans, not just mice, before we can recommend olive oil as a cancer treatment" Vasilou explained. Regardless, these findings are consistent with the growing body of evidence that oleocanthal can kill cancer cells. These results further support exploring if oleocanthal can help treat cancer in people.
So how do you know if your olive oil has oleocanthal?
Whether oleocanthal could be used as a form of therapy needs to be studied further. However, how do you know if there are high levels of oleocanthal in an EVOO? EVOOs with high oleocanthal levels have a unique peppery and bitter sensation in the back of the throat as well as eliciting brief coughing that has been used to determine the presence of oleocanthal in EVOO. Here at Olea True, we also use a scientific method called NMR analysis to measure the level of health-protective compounds like oleocanthal.
As researchers continue to study the link between oleocanthal and cancer, there are many studies showing that olive oil can be beneficial to your health. However, if you want to reap all the health benefits, you’ll need to invest in the higher-quality oil.
References:
1. Toledo E, Salas-Salvadó J, Donat-Vargas C, Buil-Cosiales P, Estruch R, Ros E, et al. Mediterranean diet and invasive breast cancer risk among women at high cardiovascular risk in the PREDIMED trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175:1. pmid:26365989
For more on the health benefits of olive oil consumption, view this video by Organic Facts.
Many chronic diseases can be controlled with a whole-food, plant-based diet. Scientific research presented at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting shows that a healthful diet in patients promotes the prevention and reversal of chronic diseases such as CVD, diabetes, and obesity.
“Of the ten leading causes of death in the United States, at least seven, including the top four, are directly related to diet choices,” Michelle McMacken, MD, assistant professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine, said during her presentation.
You’re probably thinking that moving to a plant-based diet sounds like a great idea, but you don’t know where to start? Keep reading to learn more.
A whole-foods, plant-based diet is based on the following principles:
A whole-foods, plant-based diet lets you meet your nutritional needs by only eating natural, minimally-processed foods where none of the ingredients come from animals. The basic principles of a whole-foods, plant-based diet are as follows:
There are several major benefits to moving to plant-based nutrition. These benefits include:
While you might not be ready to eliminate meat from your diet entirely, opting to try it just one day a week can make a big difference. Replacing even one to two servings of meat in your daily diet with plant protein may have a lasting impact on your health.
Here are some easy plant-based recipes to get you started.
Watch the video to learn more about the health benefits of moving to a plant-based diet.
]]>Kaddoumi's specialty includes neuropharmacology and brain research. She has lead studies looking at how olive oil can help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's. She also received a R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health of more than $400,000 to study oleocanthal and the possible link to preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Kaddoumi has also received, $150,000 as part of the Auburn Presidential Awards for Interdisciplinary Research for a pilot study and is collaborating with multiple national and international groups on additional therapeutic benefits of oleocanthal. The project was also the subject of a Tiger Giving Day campaign that raised more than $17,000.
The use of oleocanthal, a naturally occurring compound in olive oil is a relatively new area of study. Kaddoumi and her team have been approved by Auburn’s Institutional Review Board to conduct a human study on the effectiveness of EVOO in improving health conditions like Alzheimer's. They're currently looking for subjects who have a mild cognitive impairment, such as those who have troubles in their memory like having trouble finding words or recalling facts. All participants need to do, is consume one bottle of EVOO a day for six months - which will be provided by the lab. Memory tests, MRI scans, and other diagnostics will be conducted before and after the study. Participants will be paid $100 at the beginning of the study and $150 at the end. According to Kaddoumi, "Based on our previous studies of 12-years we found extra-virgin olive oil was able to reduce the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease and improve memory in mice. I am very encouraged. Extra-virgin olive oil is food. It is available for anyone. It’s not a drug; some people are hesitant about a drug investigation. But this is available on all supermarket shelves.” said Dr. Kaddoumi. Kaddoumi believes the observed positive effect could be attributed to the oleocanthal compound. The hope is that the development of oleocanthal as a therapeutic compound will help prevent or slow down the progression of dementia. If you’re interested in participating in the study you can email Dr. Kaddoumi at kaddoumi@auburn.edu
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Olive oil from large conglomerates is usually diluted. The most common type of fraud is mixing Italian extra-virgin with lower quality olive oils from North Africa and around the Mediterranean. In other cases, a bottle labeled "extra-virgin olive oil" may not be olive oil at all, just a seed oil like sunflower made to look and smell like olive oil with a few drops of chlorophyll and beta-carotene. Small farmers typically use handcrafted, artisan techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. Olea True only works with small family-owned farms and does not undergo any processing (refining) at any stage of production and comes straight from organic crops to maintain its superior quality and taste.
Working with family-owned farms that produce small batches of high phenol EVOO allows us to import and sell Olea True shortly after the oil has been produced and at peak phenolic levels.
Light and heat destroy the health-protective compounds found in premium olive oil, so make sure that you're only buying oil that's been stored in a dark bottle. Glass bottles are ideal since most plastic bottles have toxins that can leach into the oil. Once you've purchased your oil, be sure to store it in a dark, cool place. Avoid storing your oil by a window,
Like everything else on the shelves, olive oil comes with a 'best by' date, but that's not the same as the 'pressed' or 'harvest date'. From our testing over time, we have found that the flavor and phenol levels in Olea True are optimal between 18-24 months after the harvest date.
Another reason why you might opt in for extra-virgin and/or high phenol olive oil is that it means the oil is not refined or has been processed. If the label simply has “olive oil,” it's likely been refined or processed.
Premium olive oil is bitter with a peppery and pungent taste. It may sound counterintuitive, but if the oil has more of a bite to it, that’s usually a sign there are more polyphenols (health-protective compounds). Olea True regularly tests its oil for phenol levels. You can find our certificates from our most recent testing here.
Bottom line, if you want to reap all the benefits of EVOO, be sure to check out that label (and bottle) and try to buy oil that's been sourced from small farms. After all, just like wine, it may take you a bit longer to find the right bottle–but once you do it’s well worth it.
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Each year, the Environmental Working Group releases its "Dirty Dozen," a list of the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. The list this year is is no less depressing than last year's, but it's important nonetheless.
According to the EWG report:
"Overall, the USDA found 225 different pesticides and pesticide breakdown products on popular fruits and vegetables Americans eat every day. Before testing, all produce was washed and peeled, just as people would prepare food for themselves, which shows that simple washing does not remove all pesticides."
The EWG seemed most surprised by the toxins in kale. More than "92 percent of kale samples had two or more pesticide residues detected," and, according to the study, a single sample of the same kale could yield as many as 18 kinds of residue.
Conversely, the organization releases a "Clean Fifteen," which is, as you might imagine, the 15 kinds of produce they found to have "few, if any" bacteria.
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Sugar is one of the leading causes of inflammation and causes the release of inflammatory proteins known as cytokines. While these proteins are important in fighting against inflammation, there are both pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and sugar releases the pro-inflammation variety. A 2016 study published in Cancer Research found that "dietary sugar intake has a significant impact on the development of breast cancer." The body's inflammatory response to sugar was one proposed mechanism to explain these findings.
Our bodies have a hard time processing artificial ingredients well, so substances such as aspartame and mono-sodium glutamate may trigger an immune response. Aspartame is a neurotoxin that the body “attacks”, which leads to inflammation. You will often find that these artificial ingredients are hidden in processed foods and even spices. Aspartame, in particular, is commonly found in soft drinks, especially “diet” or “healthier” beverages. Bottom line, artificial sweeteners are just as harmful as sugar.
A study published in the Critical Reviews In Food Science & Nutrition found that diets high in red and processed meats were linked to an elevated risk of colon cancer. While there were several reasons cited for this, one was a higher inflammatory response.
In addition to colon cancer, processed meats are also associated with an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stomach cancer, according to Healthline.
Research published in Alcohol and Alcoholism, a peer-reviewed medical journal, found that women who drank more than three glasses of alcohol per day had higher systematic markers for inflammation than those who drank only one glass a day.
What's more, chronic alcohol consumption is associated with many different kinds of cancers, including stomach, liver, colon, and breast cancer, according to Medical News Today.
Gluten sensitivities, which can cause inflammation, are becoming increasingly more common. Symptoms vary from person to person, but a new study links the protein found in wheat (amylase-trypsin inhibitors or ATIs) to inflammation even beyond the gut. The study suggests that ATIs can cause inflammation in the “lymph nodes, kidneys, spleen and brain” and can “worsen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, lupus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.”
Symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, and high blood pressure may be signs of inflammation. Listen to your body and take notice of how your body reacts to certain foods. Generally speaking, a well-balanced diet focusing on plant-based nutrition is always a good choice for reducing inflammation and living a healthy life. As always, when in doubt consult your physician to determine the best diet to help control the symptoms you are experiencing.
Don't forget high phenol olive oil like Olea True, helps reduce inflammation. Polyphenols are the antioxidants or health protective compounds in EVOO. Like other antioxidants, polyphenols help protect cells from oxidative stress that leads to premature aging and disease.
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
]]>Why is oleocanthal good for you?
Oleocanthal helps reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of many of today’s diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Type II Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and others, oleocanthal is measuring up to this latest mention as a medical food. If we have a nutritious diet that also helps prevent inflammation then we likely won’t be one of the growing statistics of the chronic diseases that over the past decades have seemed inevitable to an aging population. The Mediterranean Diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil became popular for just that reason. Extra virgin olive oil is known as a key component. Until fairly recently olive oil was thought to be as a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids. But now, the anti-inflammatory properties of oleocanthal and the antioxidant properties of oleacein are proving olive oil is more than just a good fatty acid.
Does olive oil really kill cancer cells?
A recent study done at Rutgers University found that the oleocanthal kills cancer cells. Under normal conditions, unnecessary cells experience a process called apoptosis, a kind of cell suicide, which takes between 16 and 24 hours. In a series of tests at Rutgers, researchers found the cells of all forms of cancer they were studying got wiped out within 30 minutes to an hour. What they found was that oleocanthal in the olive oil was destroying the cancer cells’ waste centers. After oleocanthal did its damage, critical functions began to suffer and the cell soon died. Plus, healthy cells stayed intact. Similar studies drew the same conclusion which has paved the way for studying the effects of oleocanthal on cancer patients. The world’s first human study on the effects of oleocanthal on cancer is being led by Professor Paola Rojas of Peloponnese University and hematologist Dr. Ioannis Kontonis at the hospital of Sparta, who works with patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ten patients consumed 40g of olive oil potent in oleocanthal daily (split between morning and evening) for three months. At the same time, a second group of five patients consumed the same amount of high phenolic olive oil that did not contain oleocanthal.
The results showed that olive oil with a high oleocanthal and oleacein content (a total of 700mg/kg of oil) resulted in a decrease in cancerous white blood cells and an increase in the specialized death of cancer cells in nine out of ten patients. This olive oil also improved a number of other biochemical markers without having any negative effect on patients, especially on hematocrit and the number of platelets. In contrast, olive oil rich in the simple phenols hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol but very low in oleocanthal and oleacein did not cause any change in levels of cancerous white blood cells.
New studies also suggest that hydroxytyrosol, another chemical found in both olives and extra virgin olive oil, may be useful as an alternative therapy for the prevention of triple-negative breast cancer, according to research conducted by Spain’s University of Jaén. The study, whose findings were recently published in the European Journal of Nutrition, was done to determine the effect of hydroxytyrosol on breast cancer cells that are responsible for the reappearance of tumor metastasis. Several in-vitro triple-negative breast cancer cell lines were used which showed for the first time the inhibitory role of hydroxytyrosol on breast cancer cells and tumor cell migration, through the alteration of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and embryonic signaling pathways. The findings showed that hydroxytyrosol redusces breast cancer cells both in number and aggressiveness. The study also showed that hydroxytyrosol inhibits cells from multiplying.
“We report for the first time the inhibitory role of hydroxytyrosol on breast cancer stem cells and tumor cell migration by targeting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, Wnt/β-catenin and transforming growth factor beta signaling pathways,” Marina Cruz-Lozano and Adrián González-González, the study’s co-authors, wrote in the report. “Our findings highlight the importance of the chemopreventive compound hydroxytyrosol as a novel candidate to be investigated as an alternative targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.”
For the past 4 years, the research group led by Dr Sergio Granados, has been working on the search for biomarkers related to the appearance of metastasis, tumor reappearance and resistance to therapeutical treatment using stem cells as the axis of investigations. Their research may lead to personalized treatments, mainly for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
High phenol olive oil rich in oleocanthal may or may not be a panacea. But in the meantime, there is enough research and growing body of evidence to the many health benefits of adding high phenol EVOO in your daily diet. For best effect, it should be taken daily and on an empty stomach. Under normal circumstances, there are no known contraindications but as always, call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health.
Below is an educational video on the health benefits of high phenol olive oil.
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
]]>What Is NMR Analysis of High Phenol Olive Oil?
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, most commonly known as NMR spectroscopy, is a research technique that exploits the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei. This type of spectroscopy determines the physical and chemical properties of atoms or the molecules in which they are contained. The NMR analysis of our samples is conducted at the University of Athens. We use the revolutionary Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing to accurately measure phenolic compounds in Olea True. However, you don’t only need to rely on NMR testing and product labels to identify premium EVOO. Connoisseurs take a slurp and wait for a pleasant burning sensation in the throat that may cause you to cough. The reason for this peculiar practice? Sensor molecules found mainly in the throat latch on to polyphenols, such as Oleocanthal, that are found only in fresh, well-made premium olive oil such as Olea True. The results provide a scientific basis for the age-old custom of rating high-quality EVOO on a scale of one, two or three coughs.
If you're interested in learning more about high phenol olive oil, you may also want to check out the World Olive Center. Their mission is to certify and identify olive oil with a health claim, train producers on how to yield high phenol olive oil, and support research on therapeutic properties of all olive products. The idea for the World Olive Center for Health was inspired by Dr. Eleni Melliou, a scientist who has dedicated most of her career studying the pharmacological properties of high phenol olive oil. She has two degrees, one from the chemistry department of UOA and one from the department of food technology of the Technological Institute of Athens. She has received her master and doctorate from the Pharmacy department of UOA in 2005. Other founding members include Prokopios Magiatis, Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Athens. His research is focused on the isolation, chemical synthesis, and bioactivity of natural products, especially those reported in ancient medical texts. Together with Dr. Melliou he has created the first university lab offering analysis of olive oil by NMR regarding its content on health protecting ingredients. Ultimately, their goals are aligned with Olea True's mission: To educate consumers on the phenolic compounds found in some extra virgin olive oil so they can be aware of its health benefits and make an informed choice on whether incorporating a flavorful and healthful EVOO into their daily diet is worthwhile. And second, to leverage this consumer awareness to establish a new market and enable farmers of high phenol EVOO to proudly reach that market at a fair price.
Interested in learning more? Watch the Q&A with Dr.Prokopios Magiatis on the health benefits of high phenol EVOO.
Dr. Prokopios Magiatis explains the health benefits of EVOO from Athan Gadanidis on Vimeo.
Despite the positive impact antibiotics have had in recent years, their overuse has reached an all-time high, and as a result, antibiotics are losing their effectiveness. As antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as “superbugs” become more common, doctors have started to look into alternative therapies to these increasingly ineffective drugs. Let's take a look at five natural remedies to help fight infections and keep you healthy, particularly as we enter flu and cold season.
1. Garlic
For centuries, garlic has been considered a powerful antibacterial agent (2). Garlic can fight off a wide range of bacteria, and if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, garlic is a good starting point. You can also make garlic extract by soaking a few garlic cloves in olive oil like Olea True! Garlic is generally safe to ingest but stay away from large doses as that may be detrimental to the gut. Up to two cloves per day is considered an acceptable dosage.
2. Honey
The use of honey as a healing agent dates back to ancient times. A Sumerian tablet, dating back to 2100-2000 BC, mentions honey's use as a drug and an ointment. Aristotle (384-322 BC) referred to honey as being “good as a salve for sore eyes and wounds.” The healing properties of honey are mostly due to its antibacterial activity and to its high viscosity - which provides a protective barrier to help prevent skin infections (3). It also maintains a moist environment that helps promote healing. Manuka honey, in particular, has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) making honey a promising holistic option for the for treatment of wounds and stomach ulcers.
3. Olive leaf extract
Olea True has discussed the health benefits of high phenolic olive oil at length, particularly about the anti-inflammatory properties contained in oleocanthal. However, the olive leaf contains oleuropein which is another naturally occurring compound with health benefits (4). Oleuropein acts as a natural anti-viral compound which exerts antioxidant and antibacterial effects that strengthen the body's immune response. And unlike antibiotics, it destroys only the bad bacteria without harming the good.
4. Elderberry tea
Elderberries are rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are highly bioactive antioxidants that help the body absorb vitamin C (which is essential for immune function) and support a healthy inflammatory response. Black elderberry extracts and flower infusions have been shown to reduce the severity and length of influenza (5). In fact, one study of 60 people with influenza found that those who took 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times per day showed symptom improvement in two to four days, while the control group took seven to eight days to improve (6).
5. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit Seed Extract has been reported to be a highly effective, natural antibiotic for killing a wide range of bacteria including E. Coli, Staph, and Strep germs (7). In one study, drops of concentrated grapefruit-seed extract were tested for antibacterial properties against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms (8). The researchers concluded that GSE was comparable to “proven topical antibacterials. Although the GSE appeared to have a somewhat greater inhibitory effect on gram-positive organisms than on gram-negative organisms, its comparative effectiveness against a wide range of bacterial biotypes is significant.”
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378521/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1286457999800033
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5288333/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28198157
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016
7. https://appliedhealth.com/benefits-of-grapefruit-seed-extract/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165190
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
]]>November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan made designated November as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in 1983. At that time there were less than two million people with the disease and it is expected to grow to 106 million by 2050.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. Contrary to what many believe, Alzheimer's is not an inevitable part of aging although the most significant risk factor is increasing age. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment (2). Individuals can live with Alzheimer's anywhere from four to twenty years, depending on their age and other health conditions (3).
Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
Part of Alzheimer’s disease awareness is recognizing the onset of symptoms before it progresses. Early diagnosis nd intervention methods are improving dramatically, and treatment options and sources of support can improve quality of life. The symptoms may include (4):
Oleocanthal as a Cure?
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are drugs that can slow down its progression. Researchers continue to look for new treatments as they search for a cure. This research also includes non-drug treatment options. One area of research that has been getting a lot of attention is in examining the impact of oleocanthal, a naturally occurring compound found only in pure, premium quality olive oil, on Alzheimer’s. Several studies have shown that this compound has had a positive impact against Alzheimer’s in mice that express the disease, such as enhancing the blood-brain barrier function and reducing the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and neuroinflammation, all of which are hallmarks of Alzheimer's (5). Using these therapeutics to strengthen the blood-brain barrier is key to helping those with neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers are optimistic that oleocanthal can minimize the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a stage that precedes Alzheimer's and help reduce the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's. If research continues to get funded, positive results will hopefully lead to clinical trials and a new therapy for treating Alzheimer's diseases and related disorders.
Here are some additional sources on the effects of oleocanthal on Alzheimer's:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23414128
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29413486
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986450/
https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-health-news/researchers-link-oleocanthal-cancer-alzheimers-prevention/57220
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
]]>A recent study done at Ohio State University found that a diet low in saturated fat, sugar, and processed foods can reduce the risk of depression by 24 percent over a 12-year period. The research team went as far as to suggest that dietary advice should form part of mental health treatment. “This is a nicely done systematic review,” said Mary Fristad, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral health, psychology, and nutrition at The Ohio State University. It’s important to note that the diet included moderate alcohol consumption - as excessive amounts can act as a depressant.
1. https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-symptoms-causes#1
2. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/mediterranean-diet-may-lower-risk-of-depression
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
]]>1. Eat healthier foods
2. Get more active
3. Say no to smoking
Most importantly, know your risk and learn to recognize the symptoms of heart disease. Track your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI), on a regular basis and learn more about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. According to the World Heart Federation, 70% of all cardiac and breathing emergencies occur in the home when a family member is present and could help a victim.
1.https://www.world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/2018/07/16/welcome-to-world-heart-day-2018/
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Olive oil samples are analyzed using a chemical and organoleptic analysis. The first part measures the potency of health protective compounds, like oleocanthal, oleacein, oleuropein, and aglycon, found only in premium quality olive oil using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analysis. Learn more about NMR analysis in science section of our site. The second part of the evaluates the flavor of each sample using a scale of 0-100.
Learn more about the competition that is disrupting the industry and forcing consumers to evaluate olive oil in a whole new way!
]]>We were also featured on Dr. Cabral's IG page, "Next up, I'm brining you one of the most unique olive oil companies in the world. They've literally turned the making of olive oil into a science and developed one of the first 3rd party tested products for "high-phenol" antioxidant olive oil (and it's delicious!)..."
]]>Unlike mainstream olive oil found in most supermarkets, high phenolic olive oil is potent in a naturally occurring compound called oleocanthal. Oleocanthal, similar to ibuprofen, reduces inflammation which can lead to oxidative stress and disease. High quality, pure olive oil can also help lower the levels of total blood cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. Continuing scientific research also continues to show that high phenolic olive oil can help prevent many illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and rheumatoid arthritis.
Greek scientists are leading the way with groundbreaking studies on the effects of HPOO and cancer. A few years ago, several studies showed that oleocanthal kills cancer cells without harming healthy cells. These results supported funding for further studies, including human trials. The world’s first study with leukemia patients using olive oil rich in oleocanthal is being supervised by Professor Paola Rojas of Peloponnese University and hematologist Dr. Ioannis Kontonis at the hospital of Sparta, who works with patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ten patients consumed 40g of HPOO for three months, while the control group consumed the same amount of olive oil that did not contain significant levels of oleocanthal. The results showed that olive oil potent in oleocanthal resulted in a decrease in cancerous white blood cells and an increase in the specialized death of cancer cells in nine out of ten patients. This olive oil also improved a number of other biochemical markers without having any negative effect on patients, especially on hematocrit and the number of platelets. In contrast, olive oil rich in the simple phenols hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol but very low in oleocanthal did not cause any change in levels of cancerous white blood cells.
Learn more about the high phenolic olive oil health benefits and scientific studies.
Olea True does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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