Researcher finds olive oil to improve brain health, memory in mild cognitive impairment individuals (Both EVOO and normal olive oil)

Medical Xpress / Auburn University / Nutrients ^ | March 7, 2023 | Matt Crouch / Amal Kaddoumi et al

[ConservativeMind]

Extra virgin olive oil may have positive effects on individuals with mild cognitive impairment, according to a recently completed study by Amal Kaddoumi. Her findings suggest compounds found in olive oil impact brain health and improve the blood-brain barrier.

Kaddoumi utilized 25 participants experiencing mild cognitive impairment in her study that included consuming 30 milliliters, or about three tablespoons, of olive oil per day for six months. Thirteen participants consumed extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, and 12 consumed refined olive oil, or ROO. EVOO is rich in phenols, a class of organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group and a benzene ring, while the ROO has been purified of phenols.

"The participants were subjected to several tests before and after olive oil consumption, including MRI scans, a battery of cognitive tests and blood analysis for biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease," said Kaddoumi. "Our findings showed that EVOO and ROO improved cognitive function as determined by the improved clinical dementia rating and other behavioral scores.

"Interestingly, the MRI scans results were not the same between EVOO and ROO. While EVOO enhanced the blood-brain barrier function and the functional connectivity between different brain areas, ROO increased the functional brain activation to a memory task in brain regions involved in cognition."

"Regarding blood biomarkers, our findings showed that EVOO and ROO altered two major biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease, namely, beta-amyloid and tau phosphorylation, suggesting EVOO and ROO changed the processing and clearance of beta-amyloid," said Kaddoumi. "These alterations collectively could have played role in improving the blood-brain barrier and improving function and memory."

One surprising finding from the study was the results of the control group. The beneficial compounds found in olive oil are more prevalent in the unrefined EVOO, but those in the refined group saw improvement as well.

[ConservativeMind]

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cheaper Refined Olive Oil both helped, but EVOO had different effects than ROO.

It’s interesting they did MRI and blood tests to show benefit.

Use olive oil more, when you can.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Jonty30]

Drink salmon oil as well.

[Sacajaweau]

That’s all we use...

[Veto!]

I get really nice organic house brand EV00 at Natural Grocers at a great price. With recently diagnosed heart condition, butter is off the table but EVOO is OK. Cook with it and also put it on mashed potatoes with garlic granules instead of salt. Yum.

[telescope115]

Over the years I’ve realized 2 things concerning olive oil:
1-There is no bad olive oil. Some may be better than others, and
2-There is no smell more intoxicating than garlic being slowly warmed in olive oil. 🙂

[minnesota_bound]

I do not really like olive oil taste.
I currently use “Bertolli olive oil extra light taste”
https://tinyurl.com/yc6jwkd4

My sister says do not use any oil with soy in it.
I use butter for most anything in the frying pan.
Gordon Ramsey says to use olive oil when using butter so the butter does not burn.

What are the recommendations for olive oil to use?

[TTFX]

Olive oil is good if it replaces bad oils such as soy oil.

Oils high in omega 6 fats are harmful. If you avoid those, I think it’s likely olive oil provides no benefit.

[mairdie]

Just wanted to thank you for posting the medical articles. I frequently pass them on to friends. Much appreciated.

[Bobalu]

Olive oil is all I use anymore.

I do have some palm and lard but it’s so easy to just
pour out that nice olive oil.

I try to keep 5 gallons in the pantry and I rotate them
so they don’t get too old.

I get the cheap walmart olive oil... about 23USD/gallon

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Extra-Virgin-Olive-Oil-101-fl-oz-Bottle/10315963

[Adder]

Partana, a Sicilian oil.

I am picky about my EVOO...almost obsessive. I do not buy oils made with olives from different countries because that means the olives have been shunted around the Mediterranean for God knows how long. It usually says where the olives are from somewhere in the very fine print.

I wonder if they tested the oils to be sure they were indeed EVOO or not. It is estimated that the vast majority are adulterated with other oils such as sunflower. Be a shame if their results were skewed because of that.

[MayflowerMadam]

“I do not really like olive oil taste.”

Same for me. To me it has a funky taste.

IIRC, the Frugal Gourmet (pervert) also added a little olive oil to butter when cooking.

[Keep It Holy]

Save for later.

[hinckley buzzard]

Cooking with olive oil is popular but the heat destroys much of the beneficial compounds. Better to use it in salad dressing etc. Or take a teaspoonful a day and be done with it.

[ConservativeMind]

I really enjoyed his shows, but was shocked and grossed out with that whole affair.

[ConservativeMind]

ConsumerLab says that only three of the extra virgin olive oils it tested appeared to be true olive oils.

- Lucini Organic Extra Virgin olive oil
- California Olive Ranch 100% Californian Extra Virgin olive oil
- California Olive Ranch Everyday Blend Extra Virgin olive oil

[goodnesswins]

California Ranch is what I buy...price has gone way up in past few years...rumors abound that foreign oils are thinned or diluted.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Researchers have known for years that medium chain triglyceride fats (MCTs) found in olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil are very good for the brain.

MCTs are absorbed into the blood and go straight to the brain, bypassing the liver processing long chain triglycerides must go through (margarine, canola oil, corn oil, etc.) The brain uses fats for energy. Super low-fat diets cause brain fog.

Now we are seeing more and more studies showing the positive effects of these oils on function, memory and dementia/alzheimer’s (something to do with slowing the build up of amelyoid plaques).

But Big Pharma will kill this. No profits to be made in natural substances that cannot be patented.

[SamAdams76]

It's true that cooking with olive oil destroys much of the benefit but it's still much better than cooking with vegetable oils, which are full of transfats and other bad stuff.

I cook with avocado oil, which has a much higher smoke point than olive oil. It tends to be more expensive though.

As for olive oil, I have been using it as salad dressing for years. In fact, I don't have any salad dressing in my house at all. Just drizzle olive oil on top of any salad and you are good to go.

[ckilmer]

I have recent purchased “early harvest” EVOO for my coffee in the morning. I’m given to understand that”early harvest” EVOO has the most polyphenols.