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Nutrition and Weight Loss > Healthy Eating > Food and Inflammation > How Olive Oil Reduces Inflammation
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How Olive Oil Reduces Inflammation

While tasting extra-virgin olive oils in Sicily, Gary Beauchamp, PhD, director of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, noticed a ticklish, peppery sensation in the back of his throat. It was nearly identical to the “sting” he’d felt when swallowing a liquid form of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, during previous sensory studies. Beauchamp detected a connection between olive oil and inflammation.

Further studies revealed that a compound in the oil, called oleocanthal, prevents the production of pro-inflammatory COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes – the same way NSAIDs work.

“By inhibiting these enzymes, inflammation and the increase in pain sensitivity associated with them is dampened,” says Paul Breslin, PhD, co-author of the study. Researchers found the intensity of the “throaty bite” in an oil is directly related to the amount of oleocanthal it contains. “Stronger-flavored oils from Tuscany or other regions that use the same olive varietal, have the highest oleocanthal levels,” says Breslin.

The olive oil-inflammation study’s researchers say that 50 milliliters (ml), which is about 3 1/2 Tbsp., is equal to a 200-mg tablet of ibuprofen. Breslin points out that amount of oil has more than 400 calories – a lot if you add this healthy fat without giving up others. To avoid excess calories, use extra-virgin olive oil in lieu of other fats, such as butter.

 

JWH
04 Jan 2012, 10:14
Am trying to locate a company in Canada that makes product with olive oil and other ingredients that is for anti-inflammatory and arthritis. Has slightly strong odor, maybe herbes but does work on joints. Bought this in Canada several years ago but writing has rubbed off bottle. Any help in locating product/company will be appreciated. Thanks
Cathy
20 Dec 2011, 11:06
I had heard about the heart benefits of olive oil and it's interesting to know that it's good for other things too.

Your readers might be interested in an article I had written about other <a href="http://www.bestnaturalwellnessproducts.com/natural-remedies-for-infla mmation/">natural remedies for inflammation</a>
Delores
15 Dec 2011, 11:06
Thank you for rhe information. It supports what a long lost friend told me yesterday. She uses two tablespoons daily on her bread and other foods. I started to use it today
ANIL MEHRA
12 Dec 2011, 01:27
Plz provide information on Rheumatoid Arthritis.
jelam
24 Nov 2011, 11:28
Pat,

Would you mind sharing the proportions you use of each of the ingredients in the salve?

Thanks!
Pat
25 Oct 2011, 07:22
I found that using extra virgin olive oil to make a homemade salve relives my arthritis better than anything the doctor has given me for pain. I use olive oil, emulsifying wax, tea tree oil, and lavender. You must use the salve daily twice a day in about two days you will notice the difference. It also helps to heatthe salve slightly before using it....does wonders for the pain.
Pauline Dickens
07 Sep 2011, 15:43
My brother,has severe Rhumatoid Arthritis,and just within the last year his symetoms,have worsen,and is in alot of pain,I'm sending him this info, to try the Olive oil, I know myself, that it helps for pain. Many yrs. ago a Chiropractor,give us this remedy, when your lower back goes out, put olive oil directly, on sore area, place a damp washcloth,thats been heated in microwave for 30sec. place that over your olive oil, then plastic wrap, then a heating pad, set on high, then a bath towel to hold in the heat, leave on for 20to 30 min. repeat,several times a day
Jo @ Tezoona
05 Jun 2011, 11:11
Just read through many of the comments and love seeing how many nay sayers there are. Olive oil is a wonderful contributer to good health and delicious foods. And it is very easy to find Extra Virgin cold pressed first pressed olive oil.

I would stay away from the pills. We tend to always go for quick remedies and supplements. It is alway best to eat the whole foods. And olive oil alone will not cure be the cure for all our ills. So definitely add olive oil into the diet, but also exercise and eat whole healthy foods.

For the son in pain, it may be his matress but it can be a host of other things. Is he getting enough fresh air and exercise? Sitting and studying for long hours without moving can be detrimental on anyone's body.

Is he eating right and getting enough whole foods?

Try with those first.
Keith
12 Mar 2011, 07:48
This article makes it sound like this Beauchamp guy and modern researchers discovered the healing properties of olive oil. The ancient greeks and other Mediterranean peoples knew about these effects thousands of years ago.
maya laszczyk
27 Dec 2010, 12:09
Hello!
My son is 19 yrs. old and in college. He is in pain daily from osteoarthritis. He said his back,finger and feet hurt and takes about fifteen minutes for him to be able to get up and moving because he is in so much pain.

Maybe his bed is to hard? Poor eating habits?
Maybe not enough fluid at night?

any suggestions?
tom
16 Nov 2010, 12:17
I noticed this effect after eating lots of olives at a pizza buffet . I think it helps. The pain eased and logically that was the difference.
Gary Carmody
12 Nov 2010, 20:00
Most all the so called olive oil sold today is not even olive oil or most certainly not extra virgin. If you buy olive oil from small olive oil producers in the Central Coast of California you will certainly know it is olive oil and in order to be called extra virgin it has to be tested by a state lab. Only 1% of the oil sold in the U.S. is domestic and labeling laws prevail. It also has to be Tuscan or the equivalent to have the anti-inflammatory effect. If you are buying your oil from the vast majority of the markets and it is not domestic – you are being ripped off! In most all of the comments above -- does the writer know if they had real olive oil? Doubt it. And by the way – the fake olive oil? Like the one that has mostly Canola oil in it? Really bad, bad for your health!
Diane
26 Sep 2010, 22:41
YES.......EV-OliveOil comes in a pill form.....from Puritan Pride.com
Haven't tried it yet but I am ordering it right now after reading all of this.
Susan
07 Sep 2010, 19:11
I have been rubbing EVOO on my lower spine at bedtime to help reduce the pain from arthritis. I am amazed at how well I am sleeping. The pain is drastically reduced! Thanks for the article!
John
31 Jul 2010, 19:59
I have recently developed a likeing for greek olives in olive oil with feta cheese, after eating a decent amount (yum ) I realized the next day the arthritis in my right ankle has not bothered me.

I had read that it helped with inflamation but was skeptical, but let me say that it is true ! I have since added this into my diet on a regular basis and have been pain free ! Now if I could just do something about my plantar fascitis I will be happy !
snedly
28 Jul 2010, 03:53
Have arthritis in knees and had excruciating wrist pain. Rubbing olive oil into the skin over the joints has greatly relieved the pain of each. Once or twice a day seems to work fine. Great alternative to the high calories of eating.
Daniel
16 Apr 2010, 21:56
It is all about the ammount of POLYPHENOLS in the oil. Good EVOO polyphenols range from 250 to 800. The stronger I ever tasted is evoo from Puglia (IT) made from the CORATINA OLIVE. Do not buy blends, ask for the monocultivar made from Coratina olives.

In health

Daniel
GENHOME.CA
Robert Chown
15 Apr 2010, 17:48
For several months now I have been taking roughly 2 tablespoons of Virgin Olive Oil with fruit or juice as a chaser to lessen the throat sting thing.

I believe it helps the skin and replaces vitamin e I used to take.

A side benefit I noticed is that my stomach is much more comfortable through the day. I believe seriously that my intestinal tract is much happier since I started the daily olive oil habit.

Go figure... and I don't really like olive oil but its benefits will mean I'll likely take it for the rest of my life.

Amazing stuff!

Good luck to all from Vancouver, Canada.
stacey
14 Apr 2010, 15:08
For everyone with arthrtis here along with eating healthy you should try Chinese acupuncture and Chinese medicine. I have RA and let me tell you without it I would be in bad shape. It kills the pain and reduces inflammation. Make sure you go to a Chinese medical doctor tho. Not a physiotherapist.
Must be from China originally. Chinese herbs really help as well.
tere
27 Mar 2010, 16:46
I have known that olive oil has good health benefits, but now, I know that perhaps some of my pains will be relieved by actually eating olive oil, being on the heavy side is not a problem for me, I mean for looks, but I will try to avoid other fats in liu of olive oil. I do use it right now. Perhaps I am not using the good kind. For cooking I use the extra light. Don't know if that is good. I traveled in Spain and wanted to bring lots of it, but couldn't. Maybe this coming summer when I visit my daughter in Aviano Italy, I can choose the extra virgin and buy some. Oh, I suffer from osteoarthritis. In every joint in my body. Gracias, gratzie, danke and merci for all these tips. Although I still don't know what brand is better. ???? Thanks.
Daniel
20 Mar 2010, 16:30
People

You MUST buy GOOD extra virgin olive oil if you want results!!
The $5.00 olive oil will NOT help you with your problems.
Good olive oil price range goes from $20.00 to $35.00 for 500ml.

www.genhome.ca

In Health
Daniel
nina
17 Mar 2010, 18:36
I have found nothing that helps my authris.
excuse the spelling my fingers stay sore all the time
thank you
Nina
thankamma
17 Mar 2010, 07:04
thank you for giving this valuable information. my problem is how can I understand which brand oil is good evoo.
here in India where olive oil is imported how I can understand which oil is good
thankamma
17 Mar 2010, 06:57
thank you for the great information. My problem is how one can understand which brand oil is good. I am suffering from RA and having constant muscle and joint pain. Do I need to drink the oil or can be used in cooking? please tell me.here in India which brand oil do I need to buy?
thankamma
Leslie Sirag
17 Mar 2010, 05:34
My usual breakfast for several years has been whole-grain bread or toast spread with olive oil (it solidifies enough to do this in the refrigerator--I put a small container in freezer until it thickens, then move to butter area in fridge) & covered with as much brewer's yeast (protein & TONs of B vitamins)as will stick to it, then sprinkled with a LITTLE gomasio (seaweed+ toasted sesame--more good oil, minerals including potassium). We eat our popcorn this way, too. Sometimes put a couple of garlic cloves in the olive oil for flavor. Our now 18-year-old granddaughter comes over & the first thing she asks for is yeast toast!
Susie McMannes
16 Mar 2010, 23:28
My fingers are starting to draw and look deformed. When I wake up my thumb and middle finger on my left hand hurts really badly to straiten them out. I will try the olive oil tonight...Does olive oil come in pill form?? I have been taking fish oil pills and I think it has helped. I cleaned up the garage today, so I'm thinking it is helping! Thans for the info. Susie
Esther Ortiz
16 Mar 2010, 23:00
Thanks mush for the tips on olive oil I will try I have pains due to similar situations. Esther//
Peggy
16 Mar 2010, 18:22
I just got through reading the comments and I'm definitely going to try it. I've got fibromylgia, asthma, and cannot take regular pain meds such as codiene, morphine, etc and I'm very allergic. Hopefully doing this, I might be able to get rid of lots more.
sue swartz
16 Mar 2010, 16:50
I have osteoarthritis and I am taking Coumadin for a-fib. Since there are so many things I can't take for pain except Tylenol, I sure will try to get more X virgin olive oil in my diet. At times Tylenol helps but not all the time.
Tera
16 Mar 2010, 14:31
My Sister Lona Sandon RD. of U.T. Southwestern at Dallas, Texas is a firm believer of the benefits of Olive oil. She too has suffered from R.A. for many years of her young life. I have just recently been increasing the amounts of Olive Oil in my diet as well. I love cooking with it. Have yet to try drinking it straight. If it truly helps reduce the symptoms of acid reflux and other inflammations it will be well worth the calories. Other fats will have to take the high road in my regular diet to make room for the benefits of Olive Oil.
dolores
16 Mar 2010, 11:24
I suffer of joint pain in my spine, neck, feet and knees oh..also my elbows. I am 57 and in the past 4 years it has increase to the point I can't stand for long periods, I can't do a lot of things. My nephew died from some arthritis medication so I have only taken pain medicine and lots of ibufren o I am going to try the olive oil..hope it works.
Leticia
16 Mar 2010, 11:14
Since gout is a form of arthritis can evoo (extra virgin olive oil) be taken instead of preventive maintenance dose of Alupurinol or Colchicine for gout?
Thank you
Marjie
16 Mar 2010, 09:41
Is this available in pill form?
Bonnie Kirchner
16 Mar 2010, 09:40
If I am understanding this correctly, I may lose the pain in my feet by taking virgin olive oil daily. Two months ago, I started walking daily, that is, up hills in rough terrain as I live in a rural area. The problem is, my feet hurt even though I wear a good shoe. The tops of my feet suffer with excruciating pain and I can only attribute this to the walking. My general muscle ache has disappeared as I get stronger and walk farther, I am now up to 4/5 miles per day, I feel great otherwise! Do you believe that the Olive Oil regime will help? BJK
katie
16 Mar 2010, 09:34
GREAT! I love this kind of information as medications have always been a challenge for me-thanks so much for sharing this!
Daniel
07 Mar 2010, 10:53
UNBELIVABLE

I have Tarsal Coalition in my right ankle and cannot stand and walk for long periods of time without having intense pain the day after!

Last weekend I was at an Oil Tasting Fare in Trieste. I started tasting extra virgin olive oils at about 10:30am till 7:00pm. When I went back to my room I was sitting on the bed and noticed that my foot was NOT hurting at all!! Puzzled, the day after I went back to the fare and asked an oil specialist about the health benefits of extra virgin oils. When he said that it is also a natural anti inflammatory, my heart jumped.....after more than 30 years of pain and medication, I now drink 2 tablespoons of GOOD extra virgin olive oil in the morning and 2 before bed. Not to mention what this amazing natural miracle is doing to my acid reflux. No more chest pain and better digestion!!

NOTICE...
You must buy the GOOD extra virgin! Go to a specialty/fine food store and ask for it, there is tons imported from Italy....my favourite comes from Sicily made from the “Tonda Iblea” olive.

Cheers
carol
11 Dec 2009, 18:05
My left foot hurts very bad. I had exrays taken and they said I have arthritis. I.ve been taking aleve, using ice and doinf a fedw different exercises. The only shoes I can wear are called Shapups by Sketchers. For some reason tghey give me some relief. Although If I dont take aleve, all shoes irritate me so bad that I have to take them off in that moment. any advice. What should I eat and not eat. I appreciate all your help. Thankyou...
Stephanie
10 Dec 2009, 08:39
Thank you for your studies and information,
I have a preciouse neice that is in her late twenties that is not diabetic, very slender and always healthy until she developed rhuemtoid arthritis. Can you tell me would taking Olecanthal help her? If so, how do you obtain Olecanthal ?

Thank you once again,
Stephanie
planesup@sbcglobal.net
Dr.S.Gunasakaran,MBBS,MD
01 Oct 2009, 07:22
Oleocanthal is a natural organic compound isolated from extra virgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is an tyrosol ester and its chemical structure is related to oleuropein that is also found in olive oil. Recent studies have shown that oleocanthal has not only possess anti-inflammatory properties but additional antioxidant properties also. It's a medical advancement in the management of arthritis pain with the use of olecanthol from extra virgin olive oil.In one study, it has been found that both enantiomers of oleocanthal, exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activities, with no effect on lipoxygenase activity, much as observed with ibuprofen. The calculated IC50 (least squares regression analysis of inhibition vs. concentration) for (-)-oleocanthal was 23 microM and 28 microM for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. The IC50 for (+)-oleocanthal was 25 microM and 40 microM for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. This cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by olecanthol reveals the potent anti inflammatory properties of olecanthol. Hence, Olecanthol from extra virgin olive oil appears to be a new promising compound in the future management of arthritis.
Dr.S.Gunasakaran,MBBS,MD
muralidharan
07 Jul 2009, 01:14
It is so good i really appreciate your comments.
simon
26 Apr 2009, 14:51
can this have the same effect in massage on a local area ?

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