It has long been known that your diet can reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Recently, researchers have uncovered why a Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, seems to lessen the risk of developing breast cancer.
Studies showed the key ingredient found in olive oil, known as oleic acid, assisted in cancer protection by significantly:
Cutting activity levels of Her-2/neu, a gene thought to trigger the disease. This gene occurs at high levels in over one-fifth of patients suffering from breast cancer and is linked to highly aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis.
Spiking the effectiveness of herceptin (a breast cancer drug), which has helped extended the lives of many patients suffering from the disease.
In light of these discoveries, one researcher stated, "Our findings underpin epidemiological studies that show that the Mediterranean diet has significant protective effects against cancer, heart disease and aging."
Even though the results point to positive outcomes, experts stressed the fact that lab results do not always interpret the results of clinical trials. For example, studies among women have suggested Mediterranean-style diets might be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, yet there is no consistent data or strong evidence to prove this.
Annals of Oncology January 10, 2005
BBC News January 10, 2005
Olive oil, specifically extra-virgin olive oil, is clearly one of the "good oils" for you. It is a monounsaturated fat and contains major health benefits because of its vitamin E and A, chlorophyll, magnesium, squalene and a host of other cardio-protective nutrients. It has also been shown to reduce some cancers, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
Unlike other oils, olive oil possesses health benefits because it is refined and unheated.
In addition, olive oil does not upset the critical omega 6:3 ratio, as most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually omega-9. However, though monounsaturated fat is inherently more stable than a polyunsaturated fat (like most vegetable oils), the overabundance of oleic acid in olive oil can create an imbalance on the cellular level, which has been associated to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease. So, like most healthy foods, you don't want to overdo anything, no matter how healthy you perceive it to be.
Just a word of caution: Olive oil is not the best oil to cook with, as it is highly susceptible to oxidative damage when heated. Therefore, when choosing an oil to cook with, you will want to pick one that will not be damaged by high temperatures.
An exceptional alternative is coconut oil, as it is abundantly nutritious and useful. Not to mention it can help you prevent and fight many diseases and illnesses.
However, understand coconut oil can vary widely in terms of the types of coconuts used, the manufacturing processes used to make the oil, and many other factors -- all of which play a major role in the effectiveness of the oil.
Most commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) and contain chemicals used in processing. I have researched the many variations of coconut oil and have found an ideal source.
I highly recommend you consider a high quality premiere brand, as not all brands of coconut oil are created equal. I have done extensive analysis and found one of the best brands in the United States is Tropical Traditions. This virgin coconut oil is not only certified organic, but it also met all our other requirements, including no GMO ingredients, bleaching, deodorizing, refining or hydrogenation. Tropical Traditions uses fresh coconuts (not "copra" or dried coconuts like most oils) that come from a rural region of the Philippines untainted by urban pollution. If you can't find it at your local health food store we have it on our site for your convenience.
If you would like a deeper understanding of how virgin coconut oil benefits your health, I suggest you read The Coconut Diet written by Cherie Calbom with John Calbom. This excellent how-to guidebook shows you how to incorporate coconut oil into your diet to achieve your optimal weight and health by providing you with a detailed program and over 70 delicious recipes.
Therefore, when incorporating oil into your diet, it would be wise to use extra-virgin olive oil on foods (such as salads) and opt for coconut oil when cooking.
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