Study Finds Olive Oil Ingredient May Help Fight Cancer

A recent study performed by a pair of cancer biologists from Hunter College and a nutritional scientist from Rutgers University indicates that an ingredient commonly found in extra virgin olive oil may help to kill cancer cells in the body without having any negative effects on healthy cells.

This ingredient is called oleocanthal, a type of compound that, when activated in the body, releases certain types of enzymes that kill cells. However, these enzymes only kill harmful cells, rupturing certain vesicles within the cells that store waste.

Scientists had already known that oleocanthal killed certain types of cancer cells, but the reason why was unknown until this study. One of the researchers believed that it targeted specific proteins in cancer cells that work to trigger apoptosis, a type of cell death. This research tested that theory, and it appears that it was correct. The next step of the research will be to see if oleocanthal will be an effective treatment for killing cancer cells or shrinking tumors in ailing animals. If it works, it will be an extremely positive indication for it to working in humans as well.

Cancer is one of the most common serious diseases in the world. According to the 2014 World Cancer Report issued by the World Health Organization, more than 14 new cases of cancer appeared in 2012, and more than 8 million people died of cancer in that year. For most cancers, there is no cure, and for many there are very few effective treatments.

There has already been plenty of evidence to show that extra virgin olive oil has a variety of health benefits, particularly in promoting a healthy heart. These cancer-fighting properties of ones of its key ingredients is another testament to just how much a regular use of olive oil in your diet can help you to avoid some serious health problems.

Purchase a bottle of My Olive Tree’s extra virgin olive oil today and set yourself on a path to healthier living. Contact us today for more information or to place your order.

REFERENCE:

Chronic inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disease states including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, degenerative joint diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic inflammatory states are poorly understood, however it is known that dietary habits can evoke or attenuate inflammatory responses. Popular methods to deal with inflammation and its associated symptoms involve the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, however the use of these drugs are associated with severe side effects. Therefore, investigations concerned with natural methods of inflammatory control are warranted. A traditional Mediterranean diet has been shown to confer some protection against the pathology of chronic diseases through the attenuation of pro-inflammatory mediators and this has been partially attributed to the high intake of virgin olive oil accompanying this dietary regime. Virgin olive oil contains numerous phenolic compounds that exert potent anti-inflammatory actions. Of interest to this paper is the recently discovered phenolic compound oleocanthal. Oleocanthal is contained in virgin olive oil and possesses similar anti-inflammatory properties to ibuprofen. This pharmacological similarity has provoked interest in oleocanthal and the few studies conducted thus far have verified its anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic actions. A review of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and anti-inflammatory properties of virgin olive oil is presented with the additional emphasis on the pharmacological and anti-inflammatory properties of the phenolic compound oleocanthal. PMID: 21443487 PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE