Virgin Olive Oil Protects LDL From Oxidation

[Iggy Dalrymple]

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study involving 30 healthy men, results indicate that daily intake of virgin olive oil may increase phenolic content of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The participants received daily 25 ml of virgin, common, or refined olive oils for a period of 3 weeks. The interventions were crossed over with 2-week washout periods in between. All three olive oils led to an increase in plasma and LDL oleic acid content. Additionally, a positive association was observed between the increase in phenolic content in LDL and the phenolic content in the olive oils. The authors of this study conclude, "The increase in the phenolic content of LDL could account for the increase of the resistance of LDL to oxidation, and the decrease of the in vivo oxidized LDL, observed in the frame of this trial. Our results support the hypothesis that a daily intake of virgin olive oil promotes protective LDL changes ahead of its oxidation."

http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/37038