Olive oil instead of aspirin?

[Guest guest]

Olive oil instead of aspirin?

http://www.drsears.com/zonemondaydetailopen.member?zoneMondaysID=250

 

A recent article in Nature (Aug. 31, 2005,) has indicated that

extra-virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. More

importantly it seems to work as other non-steroidal anti-

inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do by inhibiting the COX enzymes.

 

The active ingredient appears to be a compound known as oleocanthal

(Greek for olive stinging aldehyde) because it provides a peppery

taste at the back of the mouth.

That's the good news. The bad news is it takes about 3 tablespoons

to provide the amount of COX inhibition as 10 per cent of a standard

dose of ibuprofen.

 

Nonetheless, this is why extra-virgin oil is a key

component of the anti-inflammatory Zone Diet. How can you tell if

your olive oil has these anti- inflammatory properties? Take a

teaspoon of

olive oil and put it in your mouth. It should have a very rich

butter-like taste. Then flip it to the back of your mouth where you

get

a strong pepper-like taste. Unfortunately, most of the good olive

oil

that has these properties never leaves Italy. That is unless you

have

friends, as I do, who are able to identify select organic olive oil

producers that make such an oil. Sold by Zone Labs, it enables you

to

get great taste with equally great anti-inflammatory benefits.

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/