Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Some of the most important health benefits of turmeric include its ability to heal wounds, protect cognitive abilities, ease menstrual difficulties, reduce inflammation, eliminate depression, alleviate pain, slow the aging process, protect the digestive tract, and prevent cancer.

Turmeric

Closely related to other members of the ginger family, turmeric is a perennial herb that is native to India and has the scientific name of Curcuma longa. The herb itself is derived from the rhizome of the plant, which is dried before the useful powdered form can be acquired. It needs a rather specific temperature and environment to thrive, so it is not widely cultivated throughout the world, but it is exported around the globe due to its desirability. The color of turmeric powder is perhaps the most striking characteristic, as it is bright yellow. You’ve certainly seen it, even if you haven’t recognized it, and if you have ever enjoyed Indian food, you have almost certainly consumed it.

Turmeric smells slightly like mustard but has a hot, almost pepper-like bitterness to it that complements a variety of dishes and makes turmeric very popular in soups, sauces, curries, meat dishes, biscuits, rice preparations, and as a general spice flavoring for dozens of other cultural dishes and specialties. Aside from its wide usage in food preparation, it has also been praised as one of the most comprehensive and powerful herbal medicines in Ayurvedic treatments and other traditional cultural remedies. Curcumin is the most important and active ingredient of this “super herb”. Turmeric juice is perhaps the most common form of the herb in medical use, but it can also be mixed into topical salves and creams. The essential oil of turmeric is also a powerful health agent, but the entire list of the health benefits of turmeric essential oil can be found on its own page within Organic Facts. For now, let’s look at the health benefits of turmeric itself.

Health Benefits Of Turmeric

Anti-Inflammatory Capacity: One of the most well-known applications of turmeric is as an anti-inflammatory agent. The active ingredients in turmeric are extensive, but a particularly crucial compound is curcumin. This substance has received considerable attention in the medical community due to its potent anti-inflammatory abilities. in fact, the strength of this substance is likened to some of the strongest pharmaceutical options for reducing inflammation. For this reason, consuming turmeric is often suggested for the reduction of arthritic pain, gout, and muscle pain following exercise or injury. Turmeric can achieve this relief in either topical form or when normally consumed. A topical salve can also be made to reduce the inflammation of hemorrhoids.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Turmeric has long been used as a stomach soother, and is particularly useful for constipation, cramping, and irritable bowel syndrome. The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin also comes into play here, as it lowers the chances of developing ulcers, bleeding in the bowels, and generally eliminates irritation throughout the gut. Turmeric is often recommended for patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and even more serious conditions, such as Crohn’s disease. The dietary fiber content found in turmeric, although not off the charts, is still significant and can help smooth your digestive processes.

Menstrual Issues: If you suffer from severe menstrual discomfort, cramping, bloating, excessive bleeding, or mood swings, turmeric may be precisely what you’ve been looking for. The anti-inflammatory and soothing nature of the herb’s natural compounds can relieve most symptoms of menstruation.

Cystic Fibrosis: Although this crippling, fatal disease is not discussed as often as cancer or heart disease, this particular condition attacks the lungs with thick mucus, as well as the pancreas. The curcumin found in turmeric has been shown to correct the protein-folding mutation that can cause the development of this deadly disease.

Cancer Treatment and Prevention: It seems that the whole world is searching for a cure for cancer, as well they should be, and turmeric is one of the best herbal approaches to the treatment or prevention of various types of cancer. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant agent that has been directly linked with a reduction in colon cancer cells and is also a direct inhibitor for a protein that is essential for tumor growth. This makes turmeric a wonderful addition to any diet as a preventative measure and as a means of slowing metastasis of cancerous growth. The most extensive research on turmeric’s cancer prevention effects has been on colon cancer, but other types of cancer research related to curcumin are currently underway.

Detoxification of the Body: Turmeric and its active organic compounds have also been found to improve liver function and reduce the levels of toxicity in the body. By stimulating the lymphatic system and ensuring that toxins are removed efficiently, the antioxidant activities of turmeric are an ideal solution for liver ailments or toxicity.

Heart Health: There are a few different angles by which turmeric can boost your cardiovascular health – curcumin and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 can efficiently inhibit the production of homocysteine, which is a negative bodily byproduct that seriously damages cell walls. These weakened walls can cause a number of complications in the heart, particularly when exacerbated by high blood pressure or plaque build-up. Secondly, curcumin directly balances your cholesterol levels by eliminating excess LDL (“bad cholesterol”) from the arteries and blood vessels. This can help to prevent atherosclerosis, so when combined with stronger blood vessels, turmeric represents a comprehensive solution for a wide range of heart issues.

Cognitive Abilities: In traditional medicine, turmeric was often relied on to boost cognitive abilities, increase concentration, and boost memory retention. Many of those traditional beliefs have ended up being legitimated by research, and turmeric is still considered a brain boosting herb. Aside from increasing general cognitive ability, it can also protect the neural pathways from long-term oxidative stress and the build-up of plaque. As a powerful antioxidant herb, turmeric can stimulate neural activity and prevent cognitive degradations, which often comes in the form of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin is highly efficient in clearing out amyloid plaque, which is a major indication of Alzheimer’s progression.

Depression: Curcumin truly is a versatile substance, and the research has even stretched into its effects on the hormonal balance in the body. Studies have shown that curcumin has a similar effect as Prozac on patients suffering from depression, mood swings, anxiety, and stress. This makes it a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical routes, which often have dangerous or addictive side effects.

A Final Word of Warning: Although not commonly considered to be an allergenic substance, turmeric can have certain side effects on the body, including nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea, particularly when consumed in large quantities. In limited cases, excessive amounts of turmeric consumed in a medicinal capacity has caused heart irregularities. Always speak to a medical professional before adding a powerful substance to your diet or supplement regiment, and remember – everything should be taken in moderation!

Source: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/turmeric.html

10 Signs You Need A Detox

“Detox” may have become a trendy buzzword, but it’s an absolutely necessary aspect you must add to your health regimen. If you ignore detox, you’re missing the boat and your health will suffer. Learn the signs you need a detox.With excessive toxin exposure and stress, our natural detox pathways can become compromised. In this article, I tell you how to clean up your liver and your body.

If you have a lack of energy, brain fog or are suffering from a chronic disease or condition, I guarantee you that toxin accumulation is contributing to the problem.

I learned about detox when I was planning my pregnancy many years ago.  Reading the baby books, I was shocked by all the chemicals you had to remove from the baby’s environment and realized I was completely surrounded by chemicals in the air, food and water. This education as a scary wake up call and I realized the dire importance of removing toxins from your environment and from your body.

Anyone that thinks that detox is not important or bogus – ahem, the mainstream medical community – are not serving their patients or their own bodies. It is foolish to think that you can escape the 80,000 chemicals that we have in our environment unscathed. You must be thinking about detox on a daily basis. Allow me to explain how.

10 Signs You Need a Detox

If you have 4 or more of these signs, you may have a congested liver that needs a vacation. How many of these signs you’ve seen in your body over the past 3 months?

1. Headaches
2. Increased belly or visceral fat, weight loss resistance, edema/water retention
3. Cravings and/or blood sugar issues
4. Overheating/excess sweating
5. Acne, rosacea, itchy skin
6. Fatigue unrelieved by sleep
7. Moodiness or anger
8. Nausea
9. Chemical sensitivity – smelling fragrances or chemicals makes you sick
10. Insomnia – especially waking between 2-4 a.m. That’s an angry, toxic liver.

Why Detox?

The body has a natural ability to detoxify toxins, such as heavy metals, but in today’s toxic world, this natural ability is severely compromised. Overexposure to toxins and high stress levels result in weakened digestive/detox function allowing toxins to find their way into the fat cells and brain tissue. (4)

No matter how hard you try to minimize your exposure to chemicals and toxins, they keep showing up in our bodies in increased levels simply because they are everywhere in our environment. The need for detoxification is based upon the principle that immunodeficiency, inflammatory and degenerative diseases from allergies to arthritis to Alzheimer’s result from the toxic, accumulative effects of poisonous substances and pathogens within the body.

According to reports by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the average person now has 212 environmental chemicals in their blood – things like mercury, lead, cadmium and industrial chemicals. The World Health Organization has studies that show we have over 700 chemicals on average in our bodies. No matter which study you choose, the prognosis is grim.

Mercury has found its way into organic produce from the coal mine plumes that cover most of America. And then there are all the countries in the world that do not regulate corporate dumping effectively – the rest of the world then suffers their industrial waste spewed into the atmosphere (China).

Environmental toxins such as pesticides, preservatives, heavy metals and industrial toxins are mostly fat soluble or “lipophilic” (lipo = fat, philic = like). Such lipophilic toxins have been associated with hormone disruption, immune system suppression, reproductive disorders, cancer and other diseases. (4,5,6,7)

Heavy metal and chemical toxicity, combined with nutrient depletion and stress = disease. Believe me, you need to nourish, detox and cleanse to enjoy good health.

How Your Liver Detoxes

There are three key detox pathways that your hard-working liver is organized around: phase I, phase II and phase III.

Very simply, phase I is oxidation, whereby your liver utilizes oxygen and enzymes to remove toxins by making them soluble in water, so they can be excreted in your urine and poop. Of these 100 enzymes, each has a type of chemical that it detoxifies. Phase 1 is essential to detox, but there’s some risk involved: sometimes the metabolites or broken down parts of these chemicals are worse than the parent. That’s where phase II comes in.

Phase II reactions conjugate (attach) the toxin to other water-soluble substances to increase its solubility. Each of the different types of phase II enzymes catalyzes a different type of conjugation reaction. This is necessary to remove the metabolites. Conjugation is how your liver combines oxidized metabolites with sulfur, glutathione, methylation, glucuronidation (drug detox), by adding certain amino acids or organic acids.

Phase III detoxification involves the transport of the transformed, conjugated toxin into or out of cells. Different phase III transport proteins work in concert to shuttle toxins from different parts of the body into bile or urine for excretion.

Here’s the tricky part: most environmental toxins overactivate in phase I, and then exceed the capacity of your liver to complete the detoxification in phase II. In other words, you develop excess phase I and slow phase II. When that happens, you generate signs of toxicity, such as those above.

Additionally, Phase II is impeded if you’re vegan or vegetarian or don’t eat the sulphur-containing amino acids found in meat. Ever notice how you have stinky gas after you eat red meat? Well, that’s all the sulphur your body needs to detox. You can get some sulphur-containing amino acids in cruciferous vegetables, but not enough. This is why vegans and vegetarians do still get cancer and other diseases related to toxicity. The Phase II detoxification pathway of their liver does not work very well.

Your liver needs a break! The chances are pretty good that your liver is OVERWHELMED given our levels of environmental toxin exposure and stress. We need to give it a helping hand. Here’s how:

Give your Liver a break!

Here are a few recommendations to unburden your poor liver.  It is essential to have a strong digestive system and well-functioning detox pathways – these can be achieved with intelligent cleansing techniques that are backed by science.

1. Consume Minerals and Antioxidants

Here’s why we need antioxidants. For every molecule of toxin metabolized in phase I (such as from cigarette smoke or pesticides), you generate one free radical molecule. Free radicals damage DNA and accelerate wear and tear in the body, similar to rust on a car. Taking vitamin C and E, Alpha lipoic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and glutathione helps neutralize the free radicals you’re making each day in phase I.

Want to get antioxidants from your food? Foods rich in flavonoids: berries, parsley, onions, green and black tea, citrus, and dark chocolate. Carotenoids? Get them from carrots, pumpkin, squash, plantains, spinach, and sweet potato. Also try green juice and wheatgrass juice.

Studies suggest that turmeric protects the body from heavy metals like mercury, as well as help the body detoxify them. Turmeric also supports optimal digestive function, healthy intestinal flora, stable moods and comfortable movement of the joints. In one study, turmeric was found to have a protective effect from the free radical damage from mercury. Turmeric was shown to boost the body’s detoxifiers, glutathione and super oxide dismutase (SOD) levels, which protect the liver from mercury. Turmeric also boosted enzymes like catalase in the liver, kidneys and brain, supporting detox. In the study, mercury concentrations were reduced as a result of turmeric supplementation before and after mercury exposure. (3)

Another favorite supplement of mine is Liver Maintenance by Physiologics. This unique formula combines the potent herb Milk Thistle, with Dandelion plus Alpha Lipoic Acid. Alpha Lipoic Acid acts as a universal antioxidant to help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals in both the water-soluble and fat-soluble compartments in the cell. Milk Thistle possesses antioxidant properties that may help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals, while stimulating nucleolar polymerase A, to support ribosomal protein synthesis within the liver. The standardized silymarin within milk thistle also helps to support the structure of the outer cell membrane of the hepatocytes while simultaneously helping to rejuvenate the liver hepatocytes.

2. Get in an Infrared Sauna

Infrared Saunas are THE most effective way of detoxing metals and chemicals from your fat. I prefer near infrared saunas over far infrared, but both are great for detoxification. Get a Near Infrared Sauna. Learn more about Infrared Saunas.

These saunas have many health benefits, including cancer treatment and prevention, detoxification, killing infections like parasites, yeast, and mold, etc.

In one study, they concluded that:

“Saunas can be used very effectively for certain cardiovascular problems and as a means to enhance the mobilization of fat-soluble xenobiotics. When saunas are used to reduce blood pressure and enhance blood flow and cardiac functioning, only short sauna (15 minutes) are necessary. When one wants to enhance the mobilization of heavy metals and chemical xenobiotics, longer sessions are needed. But, for either use, saunas are safe and effective and should be used more frequently to benefit the health of our patients and ourselves.” (1)

By sweating toxins out through your skin, they bypass the need to be detoxed by the liver and you take a large burden off of the liver. Do a daily near infrared sauna and your liver will thank you.

3. Simple Daily Detox

I have found that Zeolite is one of the easiest and best ways to detox if you cannot afford the time or expense of a rigorous detox program. Zeolite removes toxic heavy metals, chemicals, VOC’s, radioactive toxins and free radicals without removing vital nutrients. You just spray it in your mouth and let the detox begin!

The Clinoptilolite Zeolite molecule is shaped like a honeycomb, full of cavities and channels. Because zeolite carries a natural negative (-) charge, all of the positively charged (+) toxins bond with the zeolite. The zeolite particles, with the toxic materials attached are then flushed from your body with your urine within 4-6 hours. Get Zeolite.

4. Eat Your Veggies

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts contain sulphur, which help you reduce estrogen dominance and support both phase I and phase II detoxification. You also need their fiber to remove heavy metals from your colon!

5. Reduce Alcohol

Alcohol affects and harms both phase I and phase II detox pathways. Women who drink 3 to 6 servings of alcohol per week have a 15 percent greater risk of breast cancer compared to nondrinkers, according to the Nurses’ Health Study. This is because your liver metabolizes excess estrogen. And if you can’t get rid of that excess estrogen, you’re going to have weight gain and potentially even cancer. I recently found out I have a gene that interferes in my ability to metabolize excess estrogen. Luckily, I stopped drinking alcohol on a regular basis 6 years ago! Even low levels of alcohol confer risk. Alcohol should not be in your detox plan!

6. Cleanse your Liver

There are a couple ways you can actually mechanically clean out your liver. I personally LOVE coffee enemas and liver flushes and cannot recommend them highly enough! Coffee enemasprovide a means for your liver to ‘dump’ its toxic load of chemicals and heavy metals into the intestines for elimination.

Coffee enemas are superior to plain water enemas, as they provide so many more benefits. The theobromine, theophylline, palmitic acid and caffeine in the coffee travel via the rich capillary bed of the rectum into the portal vein, which leads directly to the liver. These substances dilate blood vessels and open up the bile ducts allowing the liver to release bile, which contains toxins.

Doctors at the University of Minnesota showed that coffee administered rectally also stimulates an enzyme system in the liver, which increases glutathione, the master antioxidant in the body, by 600%-700% above normal activity levels. This antioxidant reacts with free radicals (which cause cell damage) in the bloodstream and makes them inert. These neutralized substances become dissolved in the bile, are released through the bile flow from the liver and gallbladder, and are excreted through the intestinal tract.

While holding the coffee enema in the colon for 10-15 minutes, the body’s entire blood supply passes through the liver 4-5 times, carrying poisons picked up from the tissues. So the enema acts as a form of dialysis of the blood across the gut wall. It’s an amazing way to assist the body to detox in our very toxic world. Learn how to do a Coffee Enema.

Liver flushes. The liver-gall bladder flush is a great method to deeply cleanse the liver and help remove gallstones.  It can also help remove stones in the liver itself. Flush ’em with either a deep or quick liver flush! This flush can really help to give your liver a boost in detoxing your body.

7. Take Care of all These Steps in ONE program

I developed my Mineral Power program to address all the issues as to why the body is not functioning properly. It is a complete detox and healing program designed to get the body detoxing on its own by remineralizing and nourishing the body and removing your current body burden of chemicals interfering in your body’s function. When we are nutrient and mineral depleted, stressed and overwhelmed with metals and chemicals, disease eventually follows. Learn how to reverse disease, heal the adrenals and thyroid, get your libido back, improve energy and mental clarity at MineralPower.com. Get your MOJO back!

What is the Next Step?

Given the daily toxic exposures that we all encounter daily, ongoing and focused detoxification is imperative.

Start by limiting your exposure to toxins by drinking clean water. Better yet, get a whole house filter. Clean up your environment and home from chemicals and toxins. Learn how to do that by reading my article Reduce Your Daily Exposure to Cancer Causing Agents. Detox your beauty products with recommendations for my favorite beauty products. Eat organic.

Most importantly I think that people need a lifelong detoxification plan. This is why I developed my Mineral Power program. I wanted to teach people how they can detox their body with the correct supplements, proper diet, detox and stress reduction and lifestyle protocols.

You need to be thinking about detox on a daily basis – not just a spring cleaning! This is my main message on Liveto110.com. We are so bombarded every day with toxins and they have been building up in our body for decades. Everyone needs a program like Mineral Power to detox their current body burden and heal their body and liver.

References

1. Crinnion, W. “Components of Practical Clinical Detox Programs–sauna as a Therapeutic Tool.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2007. Web. 23 Feb. 2015  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17405694
2. Langford, N., and R. Ferner. “Toxicity of Mercury.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 1999. Web. 23 Feb. 2015  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10516733
3. Agarwal, R., SK Goel, and JR Behari. “Detoxification and Antioxidant Effects of Curcumin in Rats Experimentally Exposed to Mercury.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2015. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20229497
4. Herron, R., and J. Fagan. “Lipophil-mediated Reduction of Toxicants in Humans: An Evaluation of an Ayurvedic Detoxification Procedure.”Alternative Therapies 8.5 (2002): 40-51. Sept.-Oct. 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2015 http://w.theraj.com/pregnancy/Herron.pdf
5. Guziel, PS. “New Approaches for Treatment of Humans Exposed to a Slowly Excreted Environmental Chemical (chlordecone).” Z Gastroenterol 22.1 (1984): 16-20. National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 1984. Web. 23 Feb. 2015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6199909
6. Boylan, JJ, JL Egle, and PS Guzielian. “Cholestyramine: Use as a New Therapeutic Approach for Chlordecone (kepone) Poisoning.” Science199.4331 (1978): 893-95. National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Feb. 1978. Web. 23 Feb. 2015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/74852

Source: https://liveto110.com/10-signs-you-need-a-detox/

Health Benefits Of Olive Oil

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, dubbed olive oil “the great therapeutic.” The ancient Greek physician identified more than 60 medicinal uses for olive oil.

Fortunately, after two and a half millennia, modern science is beginning to catch up. Many clinical studies, including the large-scale PREDIMED trials to evaluate the effects of the Mediterranean diet, have demonstrated olive oil’s role in chronic disease prevention and other areas.

A delicious component of a nutritious diet, olive oil and its consumption may also be considered preventive healthcare—with topical therapeutic uses, too.

Important note: In order to reap the health benefits of olive oil, it is crucial that you procure extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), the only form of olive oil that retains its natural phenols (antioxidants) and other active compounds. (EVOO is minimally processed, whereas other oil grades, such as virgin, “pure,” or “light,” have been industrially refined and the healthful phenols destroyed.)

The Science of Olive Oil

EVOO contains more than 30 phenols, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties. The best-known of these phenolic compounds is oleocanthal, which acts in a manner similar to the pain reliever ibuprofen. (The name oleocanthal has very direct roots: oleo is the Greek term for “olive”; canth means “sting”; and al signifies the aldehyde chemical group.) The “sting” refers to a prickly sensation in the back of the throat, a signifier of high phenolic levels in EVOO.

The bioactive power of these precious phenols begins to degrade within six months after olive oil is pressed. The fresher the oil, the greater its therapeutic potential.

The other main bioactive components of EVOO are monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs. MUFAs exert beneficial effects on metabolism, namely cholesterol and glucose (blood sugar) levels, and can also help reduce inflammation.

Medical professionals recommend selecting EVOO from the most recent olive harvest as a strategy for obtaining the highest-quality, highest-phenolic oil. (Here is a source —the only one we know of—that procures independently lab certified EVOO according to the global harvest schedule.)

10 Proven Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

1. Can reduce the risk of heart disease

Two tablespoons of EVOO per day can reduce your risk of heart disease by improving blood cholesterol levels: lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Heart disease can affect people of all ages, although the risk increases as you get older. Rising obesity levels in the US and around the world have lowered the average age of onset of heart disease risk factors such as atherosclerosis (“hardening of the arteries”), which can start as early as childhood.

2. Can help prevent type 2 diabetes

Several studies have shown that EVOO as part of the Mediterranean diet can help prevent type 2 diabetes. In a PREDIMED study, the group of people who ate an olive oil–rich Mediterranean diet reported 40% fewer cases of diabetes than the control group (who did not consume olive oil). In another study, which evaluated people at risk for diabetes, two tablespoons per day of EVOO, along with fiber, reduced fasting and 2-hour glucose (blood sugar) to normal, non-diabetic levels.

3. May protect against breast cancer

A recently published, long-term PREDIMED study suggests that a Mediterranean diet enriched with EVOO (1 liter a week for participants and their families) helps protect against breast cancer. Olive oil consumption is also inversely related to breast density: women who consume greater amounts of olive oil are less likely to have high breast density, a risk factor for breast cancer.

4. Aided weight loss in breast cancer survivors

In a study of breast cancer survivors, women who ate a plant-based, olive oil enriched diet (including 3 tablespoons of EVOO per day) lost more weight than women on a low-fat diet. In addition, women in the study overwhelmingly chose to continue with the olive oil diet for 6 months of follow-up after the initial 8-week study.

5. Can reduce high blood pressure and the need for antihypertensive medication

In a year-long study of people with high blood pressure, people who consumed olive oil lowered their blood pressure significantly compared to those who consumed sunflower oil (which contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs). What’s more, a third of the people in the olive oil group experienced enough of a reduction in blood pressure that they were able to discontinue antihypertensive medication.

6. Can reduce the risk of blood clots

The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in EVOO have been shown to reduce blood vessel inflammation and other factors that can lead to blood clots.

7. Reduces inflammation

Multiple compounds in EVOO have anti-inflammatory properties—MUFAs as well as phenols. Many medical conditions can be traced to chronic inflammation, in particular autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks and damages the body’s own tissues.

8. Helps relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain

The anti-inflammatory properties of EVOO have been shown to alleviate the pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease affecting the joints. A diet high in EVOO may even lower the risk for developing RA.

9. Can help protect cognitive abilities

A recent PREDIMED study found that older people who ate a Mediterranean diet supplemented with EVOO experienced better brain power compared to participants on a low-fat diet. Participants in the study were given about 1 liter of olive oil a week.

10. Benefits maternal and infant health

EVOO in a breastfeeding mother’s diet helps maintain high levels in breast milk of vitamin E, which is vital to an infant’s brain and nerve development. To help nursing mothers relieve nipple soreness, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others recommend applying EVOO to the affected area. In contrast to ointments such as lanolin, EVOO does not need to be wiped off before nursing.

Bonus cosmetic benefits: Olive oil is also celebrated for making hair soft and shiny, whether as a leave-in conditioner or shampooed out after a warm oil wrap. Generations of women (and men too!) also swear by olive oil as a moisturizer, especially for hands, feet, and rough, dry elbows.

To experience these and other therapeutic effects of olive oil, remember to seek out certified extra virgin olive oil from the latest harvest . The freshest EVOO has a higher phenolic content—and can offer greater health benefits.

References

Baiano A, Gambacorta G, Terracone C, Previtali MA, Lamacchia C, La Notte E. Changes in phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Italian extra-virgin olive oils during storage. J Food Sci. 2007;74(2):177–183.

Barros CR, Cezaretto A, Curti MLR, et al. Realistic changes in monounsaturated fatty acids and soluble fibers are able to improve glucose metabolism. Diab Metab Syndr. 2014;6(136):1–8.

Covas MI, Nyyssönen K, Poulsen HE, at al. The effect of polyphenols in olive oil on heart disease risk factors: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145:333–341.

Ferrara LA, Raimondi AS, d’Episcopo L, Guida L, Dello Russo A, Marotta, T. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:837–842.

Flynn M, Reinert SE. Comparing an olive oil–enriched diet to a standard lower-fat diet in breast cancer survivors: a pilot study. J Womens Health. 2010. 19(6):1155–1161.

Flynn M, Wang S. Olive oil as medicine: the effect on blood lipids and lipoproteins. UC Davis Olive Center Report. March 2015.

Larsen LF, Jespersen J, Marckmann P. Are olive oil diets antithrombotic? Am J Clin Nutr. 1999. 70:976–982.

Linos A, Kaklamani VG, Kaklamani E, et al. Dietary factors in relation to rheumatoid arthritis: a role for olive oil and cooked vegetables. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70(6):1077–1082.

Lovgren S. Olive oil fights heart disease, breast cancer, studies say. National Geographic News. March 21, 2005.

National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Overcoming breastfeeding problems. August 30, 2014. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002452.htm.

Owen RW, Haubner R, Würtele G, Hull WE, Spiegelhalder B, Bartsch H. Olives and olive oil in cancer prevention. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2004;13(4):319–326.

Parkinson L, Keast R. Oleocanthal, a phenolic derived from virgin olive oil: a review of the beneficial effects on inflammatory disease. In J Mol Sci. 2014;15:12323–12334.

Salas-Salvado J, Bulio M, Babio N, et al, for the PREDIMED Study Investigators. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with the Mediterranean diet. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(1):14–19.

Steinberger J, Daniels SR. Obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular resistance in children. Circulation. 2003;107:1448–1453.

Toledo E, Salas-Salvado J, Donat-Vargas C, et al. Mediterranean diet and invasive breast cancer risk among women at high cardiovascular risk in the PREDIMED trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;14:1–9.

Valls-Pedret C, Ros E, Sala-Vila A, et al, for the PREDIMED Study Investigators. Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive decline: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(7):1094–1103.

Waterman E, Lockwood B. Active components and clinical applications of olive oil. Alt Med Rev. 2007;12(4)331–342.

Source: https://liveto110.com/health-benefits-of-olive-oil/

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