Vitality & Longevity
Nutritionists have all agreed on: olive oil is the king of oils. It refers to, of course, extra virgin olive oil produced by simple pressing and filtering healthy olives, whereas the content of beneficial ingredients has maximally been preserved. The health benefits of olive oil have been well documented in medical literature. Consuming this ancient nutriment gives protection form chronically degenerative illnesses and related to lowering risk of coronary diseases, prevents cancer and strengthens the immune system. Furthermore, it has also been related to anti-inflammatory effects, as well as protection of gastric mucosa. The brain profits the most because it ‘likes’ olive oil.
Olive oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, necessary for brain activities, maintaining the process of thinking and feeling, undisturbed transfer of information in brain through neurotransmitters; it gives energy. Other ingredients of olive oil are not less useful. Squalene serves as ‘catcher’ of harmful, unstable oxygen molecules and hunts free radicals; carotenoids (beta-carotene et al.) and sterols, i.e. phytosterols, are useful in regulating the fat. Diabetics also benefit from olive oil, because it prevents sudden absorption of sugar from food and slows down the reduction of good cholesterol HDL.Olive oil is rich with vitamins, especially with vitamins dissolvable in fats, A, D, E and K. Vitamin A is the most imortant for the physiologie of sight, protects the skin and mucosa from different infections and infectuous diseases. Vitamin D is especially important for balance of Calcium in organism, and in that way for normal growth and mineralisation of bones and teeth. Vitamin E, in human defence system, is responsible for maturing of red blood cells as well as an antioxidant. It favourably affects the functioning of heart and blood vessels. Vitamin K is important for the process of blood coagulation and it immediately influences the speed and the time of the process of blood coagulation.
Olive oil has beneficial effects on protection of gasctric mucosa and duodenum mucosa, intestines, regulation of bowel function, protection of hepatocytes, encouraging bile motorics, reducing the appearance of gallstones, influences the secretion of pancreatic juices, faster healing of wounds, affects skin and hair, and it is considered a way of prevention in fighting malignant diseases. Due to antioxidant effects it slows down aging, reduces bad and increases good cholesterol, regulates metabolism and improves glucose tolerance and in that way improves the blood pressure regulation. Olive oil contains the same substance as the medicine Ibuprofen – oleochantal. This substance, related with bitterness, has anti-inflammatory effect and that is why a good olive oil has to be bitter. The bitterness guarantees its healing effect.