Extra virgin olive oil is considered by many scientists and nutritionists to be a superfood, but what exactly makes high phenol olive oil so healthful? Hippocrates referred to the medicinal qualities of olive oil made from early harvest olives. It’s the olive oil that has a peppery sensation on the back of the throat shortly after swallowing. A compound known as oleocanthal is the health compound found in high phenol olive oil, also responsible for the pleasant peppery aftertaste. Ironically, it is this type of olive oil with health-promoting phenolic compounds, particularly high in oleocanthal, that is sometimes pronounced defective by “experts.” Why is oleocanthal good for you? Oleocanthal helps reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is the underlying...
A majority of Greek farmers faced significant challenges during the 2018 harvest season. The adverse weather conditions and fruit flies affected the olive oil crops in Greece. According to Greek producers, there was a 35-45% reduction in olive oil produced compared to the last season. The harsh conditions led to lower production both in terms of quantity and quality. Despite the challenging conditions, small family-owned farms, like Olea True, who produce high phenol olive oil in smaller quantities were still able to yield high-quality high phenol olive oil. The 2018 Olea True Harvest represents one of the two highest phenolic content olive oils tested. Twice per year, we test our oil by a third party to guarantee quality and purity as well...
Antibiotics have helped save lives and have played a significant role in making advances in medicine and surgery (1). They have successfully treated or prevented infections that can occur in patients with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatments, for those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, and for patients recovering from complex surgeries. Antibiotics have also been a lifesaver in developing countries where the absence of adequate sanitation leads to foodborne and other poverty-related infection. 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...
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 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...
According to the CDC, 8% of American adults suffered from depression in a given two-week period from 2013 to 2016. Symptoms may include changes in appetite and sleep, trouble concentrating, feeling sad or anxious, and decreased interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Treating depression is challenging, as drugs are only effective in one-third of cases. However, new studies show that what you eat impacts your mental health - not just your physical health. 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...
