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Olive oil may protect against liver damage?
I know this study was done on humans but in light of the other good things we know about a mediterranean diet, this might turn out to be valid...who knows. It won't hurt to put it on your salad just in case.
Ev
Lee Swanson Research Update
Olive Oil May Protect Against Liver Damage
November 2010
Olive oil compounds may protect against oxidative stress in the liver, according to a new study in rats.
The research, published in Nutrition & Metabolism reports that rats fed a diet containing olive oil were partially protected from liver damage after being exposed to a moderately toxic herbicide known to deplete antioxidants and cause oxidative stress.
"Olive oil is an integral ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. There is growing evidence that it may have great health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses," said Prof. Mohamed Hammami from the University of Monastir, Tunisia and King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"Here, we’ve shown that extra-virgin olive oil and its extracts protect against oxidative damage of hepatic tissue," he added.
In healthy people, reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) is counterbalanced by the action of antioxidants. However, oxidative damage caused by an imbalance in ROS and antioxidants is a major contributor to the development of many diseases including cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
In experimental studies, olive oil and its phenolic compounds have shown strong antioxidant properties, with the authors noting growing evidence that it may have health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses.
The study explored the idea that, owing to its high content of natural antioxidants, olive oil could reduce oxidative damage in rats.
Because the liver is not only the main target for phenolic antioxidants once absorbed from the gut but is also the major place for phenolic metabolism, the researchers stated that studies investigating the effect of antioxidant dietary phenolics on the liver should be given priority.
They tested the effect of dietary supplementation of olive oil and its phenolic fractions (hydrophilic or lipophilic) on oxidative stress and liver fatty acid composition of rats treated with the oxidative-stress-inducing herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).
All rats given 2,4-D were reported to show signs of significant liver damage. However, extra-virgin olive oil and intake of its hydrophilic fractions were observed to induce a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased markers of liver damage.
The lipophilic fraction supplemented to 2,4-D-treated rats was observed to not show any improvement in the liver oxidative status.
The authors detected a marked improvement in the hepatic fatty acid composition of rats supplemented with olive oil and both the hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions.
The researchers concluded the protective effects of olive oil against oxidative damage are mainly related to the antioxidant potential of its hydrophilic fraction.
"The hydrophilic fraction of olive oil seems to be the effective one in reducing toxin-induced oxidative stress, indicating that hydrophilic extract may exert a direct antioxidant effect on hepatic cells," said Prof. Hammami. "However, more detailed studies about the effect of antioxidant compounds separately and/or their interactions are necessary to substantiate these observations," he added.
Nutrition & Metabolism 7(1):80, 2010
Ev
Lee Swanson Research Update
Olive Oil May Protect Against Liver Damage
November 2010
Olive oil compounds may protect against oxidative stress in the liver, according to a new study in rats.
The research, published in Nutrition & Metabolism reports that rats fed a diet containing olive oil were partially protected from liver damage after being exposed to a moderately toxic herbicide known to deplete antioxidants and cause oxidative stress.
"Olive oil is an integral ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. There is growing evidence that it may have great health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses," said Prof. Mohamed Hammami from the University of Monastir, Tunisia and King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"Here, we’ve shown that extra-virgin olive oil and its extracts protect against oxidative damage of hepatic tissue," he added.
In healthy people, reactive oxygen species generation (ROS) is counterbalanced by the action of antioxidants. However, oxidative damage caused by an imbalance in ROS and antioxidants is a major contributor to the development of many diseases including cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
In experimental studies, olive oil and its phenolic compounds have shown strong antioxidant properties, with the authors noting growing evidence that it may have health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses.
The study explored the idea that, owing to its high content of natural antioxidants, olive oil could reduce oxidative damage in rats.
Because the liver is not only the main target for phenolic antioxidants once absorbed from the gut but is also the major place for phenolic metabolism, the researchers stated that studies investigating the effect of antioxidant dietary phenolics on the liver should be given priority.
They tested the effect of dietary supplementation of olive oil and its phenolic fractions (hydrophilic or lipophilic) on oxidative stress and liver fatty acid composition of rats treated with the oxidative-stress-inducing herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).
All rats given 2,4-D were reported to show signs of significant liver damage. However, extra-virgin olive oil and intake of its hydrophilic fractions were observed to induce a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased markers of liver damage.
The lipophilic fraction supplemented to 2,4-D-treated rats was observed to not show any improvement in the liver oxidative status.
The authors detected a marked improvement in the hepatic fatty acid composition of rats supplemented with olive oil and both the hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions.
The researchers concluded the protective effects of olive oil against oxidative damage are mainly related to the antioxidant potential of its hydrophilic fraction.
"The hydrophilic fraction of olive oil seems to be the effective one in reducing toxin-induced oxidative stress, indicating that hydrophilic extract may exert a direct antioxidant effect on hepatic cells," said Prof. Hammami. "However, more detailed studies about the effect of antioxidant compounds separately and/or their interactions are necessary to substantiate these observations," he added.
Nutrition & Metabolism 7(1):80, 2010
Best Answer
This reminds me of the old joke. Since this is a medical forum I will keep it medically accurate.
"Where does Popeye put his penis when he has an erection?
In Olive Oyl".
I guess he was ahead of his time. So to speak. Between Olive Oyl and spinach he must have been one healthy sailor!
Hectorsf
"Where does Popeye put his penis when he has an erection?
In Olive Oyl".
I guess he was ahead of his time. So to speak. Between Olive Oyl and spinach he must have been one healthy sailor!
Hectorsf
I'll glady pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Wimpy got turned on by hamburgers didn't he?
Olive Oil apparently works for erectile dysfunction too. Ever see Popyeye and Bluto be not interested after a glimpse of the Questionably Virgin Olive Oyl? Don't know what Wimpy's problem was....
I'm Italian if between this and coffee I was a stage 3er I can't imagine what I would have been without them helping out!
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Now I wonder if the creators of Popeye were not subliminally advocating a vegan lifestyle with doses of olive oyl with spinach and sweet peas by insinuating that hamburgers can make for Mr. Wimpy.