Extra Virgin Olive Oil Improved Characteristics of Alzheimer’s in Mice
Mouse (NIA)
Many people commonly believe that canola oil is simply an inexpensive oil that has all the same health benefits as extra virgin olive oil. Canola oil is the second most commonly consumed oil after soybean oil in the United States. Canola oil originated in Canada – hence the name Canola oil. Canola oil is derived from the rape seed plant. In order to extract oil from rape seeds a solvent called hexane is used to extract the oil. Then a process is undertaken to remove the hexane. Extra virgin olive oil is simply pressed out of the olives without the need of any kind of solvents or chemicals. Researchers set out to test these oils on mice that had been generated to have characteristics of Alzheimer’s Disease to see what effects each kind of oil would have on them.
Canola Oil Reduced Memory and Caused an Increase in Beta Amyloid Plaques in the Brains of Mice
An interesting study published December 7, 2017 in Scientific Reports that was headed by Domenico Praticò, director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine showed that canola oil caused weight gain, reduced memory and was associated with an increase in destructive beta amyloid plaques in the brains of mice that had been generated to have Alzheimer’s characteristics.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Improved Characteristics of Alzheimer’s Disease in Mice
A similar study on mice with extra virgin olive oil published in May 2017 in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology showed improvement of Alzheimer’s characteristics in the mice. More research will have to be done to see if these results will also apply to humans.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Mediterranean Diet
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the main components of the Mediterranean Diet that also includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. It is high in fish and low in red meat. It also is low in dairy products except for yogurt and some kinds of cheeses. It has been noted that people living around the Mediterranean area have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia. In fact, Spain, which is a main producer and consumer of extra virgin olive oil, has been rated the world’s most healthy country.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Nuts can Lower the Risk for Heart Disease and May Help in Wound Healing
See our blog post from February 20, 2019 about how consuming nuts and extra virgin olive oil can lower the risk for heart disease. Also see our blog post from April 9, 2019 about extra virgin olive oil and wound healing.
The Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in East Orange, New Jersey
If your loved one is suffering from dementia and needs to be in a long-term care facility, the Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in East Orange, New Jersey has a memory care unit especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Park Crescent also specializes in complex wound care. See our blog post from February 1, 2019 about the state-of-the-art complex wound care offered at Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Park Crescent has very expert treatments using advanced equipment like hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).
Conclusion
More research needs to be carried out with human clinical trials to see how these oils affect humans with Alzheimer’s disease. In the meantime no harm can come from using more extra virgin olive oil, which has already also been scientifically shown to be able to lower the risk for coronary heart disease and strokes.