There’s a new study involving mice that suggest that there’s another reason why extra virgin olive oil – EVOO – can improve brain health and actually decrease the risk of cognitive decline. Also, EVOO is a healthy solution for other systems in the body, including the circulatory and digestive systems.
One of the essential components of the Mediterranean Diet, which is EVOO, was already welcomed among health officials, and its health reputation is fantastic. Research shows that the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet are linked to EVOO – it boosts brain and heart health, and it can also improve the elasticity of the blood vessels. It was also showed that it decreases the risk of memory decline. A previous animal study showed that it has the potential to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Fight the Toxins in the Brain
This latest study went farther and asked if an EVOO diet could fight the toxins found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and find in those patients with frontotemporal dementia. The symptoms of this form of dementia, which affect the temporal and the frontal lobes of the brain, start manifesting at the age of 40, the earliest, and it has to do with difficulties with language. It eventually gets to the deterioration of memory.
Researchers put together some mice which were genetically engineered to develop tauopathy. Tauopathy is the accumulation of tau proteins in their brains. They were put on a diet with a significant amount of EVOO. All of the mice from this group were young, 30-40 in human age. They also put together a group of mice that had a regular diet. After six months, they found a 60% reduction in toxic tau deposits in the brains of those mice that were on a diet with extra virgin olive oil.
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.