Olive Oil: A Natural Painkiller?

[abdul-aziz]

:salam2:

Could a traditional food have pain- and inflammation-reducing effects similar to over the counter pain medicine like ibuprofen?

Scientists from Italy, Spain, the U.S. and Australia have discovered that extra virgin olive oil can provide significant health benefits, including the ability to help reduce pain and inflammation.

This robust, flavorful oil is an example of the food as medicine concept, that foods can have a powerful impact on health.

A Mythical, Sacred Oil

From ancient Greece to the Holy Land, olive oil has been treasured. Celebrated as sacred in Greek mythology, the olive branch symbolized peace in Hellenic culture. Evidence of this ancient oil was discovered in 1901 at the "Room of the Olive Press" at Knossos on the island of Crete in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. From there olives were pressed into oil over 4,500 years ago and the olive oil was exported to North Africa and mainland Greece.

Cultivation of olive trees spread around the Mediterranean where olive oil flourished along with many early civilizations. The bible speaks of olive oil, and it has been used by Christianity and Judaism as a holy anointing oil.

Today, the major producers of olive oil are Spain, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco and Syria.

But the growing popularity of olive oil can be seen in the spread of cultivation around the world to countries such as the U.S., Chile, and South Africa. Australia has become an energetic olive oil producer and exporter, and has just announced a record crop.

During travels with my family from the south of France to Tuscany to Greece I have witnessed the special beauty of the olive tree and tasted its fruit. Able to withstand heat, sun and survive on only a little moisture, the hardy olive tree became an icon of the Mediterranean region. Freezing temperatures, however, can harm the trees and the crop.

Eating Healthy With Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil can contribute nutritional support in the fight against such health problems as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and in pain management.

A research study from Spain has shown that higher olive oil consumption is associated with leaner body weight, an important factor in prevention of chronic conditions.

Another study from the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain looked at how diets including olive oil might offer protection against depression: Bad Fats Linked to Depression

Natural Painkiller Discovered in Olive Oil

Recent research has identified the antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is only found in extra-virgin olive oil. Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, in Philadelphia, found that oleocanthal in olive oil has a potency strikingly similar to that of the drug ibuprofen in inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Their findings were published in the science magazine Nature.

Given the side effects of common pain relieving drugs, finding a nutritional way to reduce pain and inflammation could be a solution for people suffering from pain.

In another study Italian researchers explain that the characteristic pungent and bitter taste of virgin olive oil have been attributed to phenols in the oil that have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and anti-cancer benefits.

Research on Health Benefits of Olive Oil

At the meeting of the "International conference on the healthy effect of virgin olive oil" that took place in Spain in 2005, numerous benefits of virgin olive oil from the research were outlined. They looked at the consumption of olive oil from the perspective of issues such as cardiovascular health, cancer and longevity. With respect to anti-aging they noted: "The more recent studies consistently support that the Mediterranean diet, based in virgin olive oil, is compatible with a healthier ageing and increased longevity."

Consumption of olive oil has been associated with:

Reduction of total cholesterol and an increase in the high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), which has a protective effect on blood vessels.
Improved sensitivity of cells to insulin, which helps to prevent the Metabolic Syndrome. Preventing Metabolic Syndrome is important, because the syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease.

Potent Antioxidant Power of Olive Oil

Phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants found in virgin and extra-virgin olive oil. These compounds give unrefined olive oils their distinctive flavors and high degree of stability.

Studies indicate these compounds may be able to:

Turn off the activity of genes that produce the kind of inflammation that causes coronary heart disease.
Decrease production of inflammatory chemicals called thromboxanes and leukotrienes.
Decrease the production of the most damaging form of cholesterol, oxidized LDL cholesterol.

University of South Australia researchers note that compounds from the olive were found to be antimicrobial against various bacteria.

And olive oil is just the beginning of anti-inflammatory foods. Learn more about fighting pain and inflammation in my article: Natural Anti- Inflammatory Foods and Supplements That Help Arthritis

Enjoying Olive Oil

The research studies focus on the benefits of extra-virgin olive oil, so this is what I always buy. I look for organic oil that has been grown without pesticides. Freshness counts, so I like shop where they sell a lot of oil, such as a big health food store. Store it in a cool place.

The amount of olive oil associated with protection against inflammation is only two teaspoons a day, which is easy to achieve. A sprinkle of olive oil makes a simple salad dressing, and a little oil can be used for dipping bread, instead of butter. Olive oil can also be used in baking.

Here is a popular tangy and sweet recipe from my book The Fat Resistance Diet, an anti-inflammatory dietary program.

Pomegranate Lime Dressing

Pomegranate juice is an outstanding source of flavonoids which help to reduce inflammation.

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon unsweetened pomegranate juice

In a jar, shake together the extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, and pomegranate juice. Serves 1.

Get more free recipes at fatresistancediet.com

Now I'd like to hear from you:

Do you use olive oil?

What is your favorite type of olive oil, and from which country?

Where do you shop for it?

Have you noticed any benefits from olive oil?

Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

Best Health,

Leo Galland, MD

Important: Celebrate Healthy Eating with your friends and family by forwarding this article to them, and sharing on Facebook.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-galland-md/olive-oil-painkiller-natural-painki_b_850299.html

 

[Moonlight_88]

JazakhAllah khayr for that beneficial post. Here is an interesting article i was reading about Zaitoon.

OLIVE is a small ovoid fruit. It is an important food and source of oil. Its evergreen tree is cultivated in the Mediterranean region since time immemorial and now is grown in several places. It has edible shiny black fruits.
An olive tree goes up to the height of three meters, its leaves are bright green and very attractive and the fruits are of bright bluish or violet color possessing a metallic taste.
According to the scholars of Hadith, when the Deluge in the time of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) subsided and the water level came down, the first thing on the earth that was seen was an olive plant.

Qur’an:
Zaitoon (olive) is the sign of peace and friendship in this world and has its description in the Holy Qur’an.
The Qur’an stresses the importance of Zaitoon in several verses like 6:99 and 141, 16:11 and 24:35.

Ahadith:
Sayyed Al-Ansari narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

Alqama Bin Amir narrates that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There is olive oil for you, eat it, massage it over your body, since it is effective in Haemorrhoids (Piles).” (Ibn Al-Jawzi, Zanbi)

Uqba Bin Amir narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) stated: “You have the olive oil from this holy (mubarak) tree, treat yourself with this, since it cures the anal fissure (basoor).”

Khalid Bin Saad narrates: “I came to Madina with Ghalib Bin Al Jabr. Ghalib became ill during the journey. Ibn Abi Ateeq came to see him and told a narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (pbuh) told about the cure in the black seed. We crushed a few black seeds and mixed it with olive oil and dropped in both nostrils, after which Ghalib became healthy.” (Ibn Maja, Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) stated: “Consume the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for 70 diseases in it, one of them is leprosy.” (Abu Naim)

Zaid Bin Arqam narrates: “We have been directed by the Prophet (pbuh) that we should treat Pleurisy with Qust Bahri (Qust Sheerin) and olive oil.” (Tirmizi, Sanad Ahmed, Ibn Maja)

Before medication:
For the treatment of every disease, one must perform Nafl (supererogatory) Salah and make supplication beseeching Allah for curing the disease asking Him to put cure in the prescribed medicines. Then give alms (sadaqa) to the poor and then take medications.

Olive contains palmatic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, steanic acid, myristic acid and glycerides.

Olive (Zaitoon) is cure for 70 diseases. Among them, olive oil is most commonly used in the treatment of skin diseases.
The skin is the largest organ of our body. It is, in terms of both weight, between six and nine pounds, and surface area of about two square yards. The skin separates the inside of our body from the outside world. It protects us from bacteria and viruses that can cause infections. It helps us sense the outside world such as whether it is hot or cold, wet or dry. It also regulates our body temperature.

Conditions that irritate, clog or inflame our skin can cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, burning and itching. Allergies, irritants, our genetic makeup and certain diseases and immune system problems can cause psoriasis, alopecia and other skin conditions. Many skin problems, such as acne, also affect our look.
The acne is a skin condition, usually of the face, that is common in adolescents. It is characterized by red pimples, and is caused by the inflammation of sebaceous glands through bacterial infection; a pattern of blemishes in an area of skin resulting from the skin condition. There are four types of acne – blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts – which develop when pores in our skin become clogged. The culprit is sebum (see-bum), an oil in our skin. Our bodies make more sebum when our hormones surge.
This is why teens get acne. Females also have them before their periods. Since hormones fluctuate in the years leading up to menopause, many women in their 40s and 50s get acne.

There are many treatments available for acne. Among them a few are:
Rinse face in plain warm water. Dab face with a clean linen cloth until it matts the oily look.

Massage a small amount of extra virgin olive oil into skin until all the oil has soaked in. After half-an-hour, sebum slowly pulls out of the pores on nose and cheeks. After just one hour, the skin glows very nicely, without being oily. It seems that normal extra virgin olive oil works very nicely.

Fast facts:
n Instead of heating the olive oil, one can also apply olive oil kept in room temperature to the scalp, wrap hair in plastic to hold in heat, and sit under or use a hair dryer to speed the process.
n Because olive oil is an emollient, it will leave all the skin on the scalp moisturized, creating a healthier scalp.
n Olive oil is very beneficial in the treatment of dry, flaky and broken skin. It helps to moisturize the skin. Use it if you want to get the glow on dry skin.
Here are some tips on how to make an olive oil face pack for dry skin:
n Make a mixture by mixing few drops of olive oil with two mashed avocados. Use this remedy thrice a week.
n Another good face pack for dry skin is a mixture of one egg yolk, one tablespoon of flour and half a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for about 20 to 25 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
n If your skin is oily then you can use olive oil to cleanse and moisturize the skin. Olive is very beneficial in the prevention and treatment of several oily skin-related problems like open pores, blemishes, blackheads, cysts and acne.
n Make an oily skin face mask by mixing oatmeal - one cup, olive oil – ½ tablespoon, sea salt – ½ tablespoon and sour milk – ½ cup
n Apply it on the skin and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes. It is a good recipe for cleaning the pores.

Here are some tips on how to use olive oil to get glowing face naturally.
n Mix half cup each of curd and cucumber juice. Now, add ½ tablespoon of olive oil into the mixture. Apply it on your face and wait for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy once a week.
n There is no need to spend money on cleansing creams and face washes. Just use pure olive oil to cleanse your face at home. Here are some tips on how to get glowing face using olive oil.

n Apply a small amount of olive oil on your face. Massage your face for about two minutes, using circular motions. After that, take a hot water-dipped washcloth and put it on your face for 10 minutes to get rid of dirt, makeup and other impurities.

n Splash cold water on your face now, you are ready to get soft, glowing and healthy skin naturally with olive oil. Lastly, eat lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, do not forget to increase your daily water intake
So by observing the above measures, we can conclude that olive oil is the best medication for skin diseases.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2011020492901

 

[queenislam]

:salam2:


" By the fig and olive,And Mount Sinai."(Surah at Tiin verse 1 and 2).
Allah swt has mentioned in the holy qur'an about the olives.
This shows that the olives are also many unique features that rarely known and investigated.
In the holy Qur'an,the olives called 7 times in which a total of two times as it is the call alone and five more times.
it is described in the holy qur'an along with other fruits such as dates,pomegranates,grapes and fig.
This description and shows how much nutrition olive fruit as other benefits to the lives of mankind.masha allah!

~May Allah swt help and guide us~Amin!

Thank you,
Take care!
~Wassalam

 

[abu_tamim]

One more proof.

:salam2:


" By the fig and olive,And Mount Sinai."(Surah at Tiin verse 1 and 2).
Allah swt has mentioned in the holy qur'an about the olives.
This shows that the olives are also many unique features that rarely known and investigated.
In the holy Qur'an,the olives called 7 times in which a total of two times as it is the call alone and five more times.
it is described in the holy qur'an along with other fruits such as dates,pomegranates,grapes and fig.
This description and shows how much nutrition olive fruit as other benefits to the lives of mankind.masha allah!

~May Allah swt help and guide us~Amin!

Thank you,
Take care!
~Wassalam

:salam2:
A diet rich in olive oil may reduce the risk for stroke in older adults, new research suggests.
In roughly 7600 elderly adults, higher olive oil consumption at baseline was associated with a lower incidence of stroke over roughly the next 5 years, after controlling for numerous confounding factors, including lifestyle and nutritional factors, stroke risk factors, and blood lipids.
Cecilia Samieri, PhD, from University of Bordeaux and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in Bordeaux, France, reported their findings online June 15 in Neurology.
"The high prevalence of stroke in older subjects emphasizes the need for primary and secondary prevention in this age group," they conclude. "Showing a strong association between intensive olive oil use and lower stroke incidence, our study suggests a novel approach of dietary recommendations to prevent stroke occurrence in elderly populations."
But the authors of a linked commentary caution against jumping to any conclusions, noting that the putative health benefits of olive oil, and a Mediterranean-style diet, are complex.
Dr. Samieri and colleagues examined the association between olive oil intake and stroke incidence in 7625 people aged 65 and older from Bordeaux, Dijon, and Montpellier, France. They are enrolled in the ongoing, population-based French Three-City Study, which is looking at vascular risk factors for dementia.
At baseline, 1738 (22.8%) participants reported no olive oil use, 3052 (40.0%) reported moderate olive oil use, and 2835 (37.2%) reported intensive olive oil use.
The authors note that moderate and intensive olive oil users (relative to nonusers) were younger than nonusers; they also had lower values or frequencies for several stroke risk factors, weighed less, had lower triglycerides and lower total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. They were also more apt to be regular exercisers and ate fish, fruits, and vegetables and omega-3–rich oils more often than nonusers.
Over a median of 5.25 years, 148 incident strokes were recorded (115 ischemic, 28 hemorrhagic, 5 undetermined).
After adjusting for sociodemographic and dietary variables, physical activity, body mass index, and risk factors for stroke, the researchers observed a lower incidence of stroke with higher olive oil use (P for trend = .02). Compared with participants who did not use olive oil, those with intensive use had a 41% lower risk for stroke. No other dietary variable was significantly associated with stroke incidence.
In their commentary, Nikolaos Scarmeas, MD, from Columbia University Medical Center in New York, New York, and Luc Dauchet, MD, PhD, from Institut Pasteur de Lille in France, comment on the study and the state of research on this topic.
They make the point that exploration of the relation of the Mediterranean-type diet with neurologic diseases has started "only very recently and has suggested potentially beneficial associations for Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, essential tremor, Parkinson disease, and stroke."
Although the current study suggests a protective effect of olive oil in stroke, the authors caution against drawing any firm conclusions from this study, until the observations "withstand the trial of randomized intervention."
They point out that covariate adjustment "can never be complete." Additionally, other potentially beneficial effects of olive oil, not considered in the analyses, may be mediating the association.
They also note that olive oil is not consumed in isolation but with a whole host of potentially healthy foods. "To add further to the complexity, the potentially beneficial biological elements of olive oil are not clear."